Ravage’s latest model, which uses the Ultime version of the Tarmac Master, is another Alpine-inspired end to the A110 saga

A hard-core and well-developed sports car, the Alpine A110 R Ultime, as its name implies, is the final factory-developed iteration of the fabulous Dieppe-built sports car. However, with the introduction of the Tarmac Master, the creation of the team at Ravage Automobile has made one surprise entry into the history of the Alpine A110 model range.

Although not called Ultime officially, the specification of the Tarmac Master has to be that of the ultimate A110 made by Alpine, with nose-to-tail changes to the chassis, powertrain and aerodynamics to make the classic A110 an even more capable car. With an A110 base that already makes use of the Ultime’s highly tuned engines, suspension and aerodynamics, the team at Ravage Automobile has used their own variant of the Groupe 4 wide-body treatment to take Alpine’s ultimate A110 vision to new heights.

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While the Ultime consciously aims for an aggressively brutalist approach and resembles nothing more than a GT4 racer on the tarmac, the Tarmac Master is clearly influenced by the Groupe 4 style but pushes things even further while introducing many new design elements that reflect the high level of functionality that Ravage has become known for.

The track width has been increased by 50mm at the front end and 90mm at the rear end when compared to the standard A110, figures which coincide with those of the regular Ravage Groupe 4. Although the engine is Euro 6d emissions compliant, it is designed to meet the GT4 specifications from Oreca with con-rods and pistons being forged, new turbocharger, and improved compression ratio.

Like the Ultime, with the engine using normal 98 RON petrol, it develops maximum power outputs of 316bhp at 6000rpm and 310lb ft of torque between 3200 and 4200rpm. The engine also uses the SP102 race fuel in order to produce an additional output of 340bhp at 6000rpm although the torque output stays unchanged at 310lb ft at 5600rpm. The performance figures are similar to those of the Ultime with its weight remaining light at 1100kg.

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Similarly, the cooling system carries forward the Ultime’s relocated radiators with heat being vented off via air being drawn from above the hood. For the gearbox, you get the Ultime six-speed DCT transmission along with the limited-slip differential. The suspension is Öhlins, employing its fully adjustable TTX damper with hydraulic bump stops and reinforced anti-roll bars. New AP Racing brakes featuring aluminum discs, along with lightweight forged aluminum wheels with billet machined centers of 8 inches for the front and 10 inches for the rear add a final flourish.

From a design standpoint, many of the changes distinctive of the Tarmac Master revolve around the front end. Its aesthetic represents an even further departure from the rest of the Groupe 4 cars, whose exterior was modeled after the standard A110. Rather, the Tarmac Master has made use of its aggressive aerodynamic and cooling requirements as an element of style, taking the utilitarian design philosophy of the Ultime and elevating it beyond performance into something aesthetically pleasing as well.

With this move, Ravage has created something even more extreme in terms of Tarmac Master’s front end appearance, bringing the two designs together in a way that makes them look like a single entity with the heavily-modified rear end already bearing a mesh grille. This, as pointed out by Benoit Tallec, one of the founders and lead designers behind Ravage, can be referred to as “a more 360-degree design.”

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It should be noted that while the Groupe 4 was completely designed by Tallec alone, the Tarmac Master brings yet another designer to the fold, namely Antonino Lo Re. Prior to working at Ravage, Antonino Lo Re used to work at Aston Martin designing the original concept sketch for the Valkyrie supercar.

Tallec and Lo Re have known each other for quite some time now, both having grown up at Renault Trucks (!) over two decades ago. The unlikely task of designing vehicles gave both men the knowledge about drag-resistant aerodynamic efficiency before parting ways; Tallec taking up position at Mercedes-Benz while Lo Re moved on to AML. Both men made brilliant careers at their respective companies, which now gives Tallec and Lo Re the opportunity to team up on this project and have Lo Re take charge in the design of the Tarmac Master.

An interesting move by Tallec. This will only further enhance the prestige of this project while showing just how ambitious this small company truly is. As Tallec puts it himself: “I designed the Groupe 4 alone, but Tarmac Master has been a collaboration in which I gave Nino the total freedom to express his ideas. It’s our first step to create the Ravage language. We aim to please petrolheads while still being elegant. We seek simplicity and purpose. Not beauty in the trend sense. If the design does not serve a purpose then it’s not beautiful.”

As per Tallec, the next step would be for him to aim higher than what he can achieve with the A110. At present, he hasn’t specified any ideas, but judging by his past track record together with Lo Re and Ravage’s history of producing flawlessly clean cars, we are excited to see what will come out of their collaboration. Up until now, Ravage has produced 16 Groupe 4 models, with annual production capacity increasing to 15 cars in 2028.

Tarmac Master comes right before the completion of A110 manufacture, where Alpine is finishing up the Ultime series which comprises of just 110 cars. It is important to know that unlike the rest of the 110 models, Tarmac Master is not going to be one of them. Rather, a blessing from Alpine itself, where the factory is manufacturing additional chassis for up to ten units to meet the demand from Ravage customers of Track Master. These manufactured chassis will be handed over to O-One who specializes in race and restoration of Groupe 4 cars.

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The Track Master has a price starting point of €295,000, which puts it €30,000 above the Ultime and drives Alpine further towards the supercar niche. As of right now, it’s still possible to order a Tarmac Master in any of the Alpine paint finishes, although that option will soon become closed off for everyone. Following that cut-off, all the reserved build slots will be in black with visible carbon on the hood, roof and back glass.

As a Ravage, the car allows buyers to opt for repainting, whether in one colour for €13,000 or in a more complicated – and far more expensive – pattern, like the one seen on the magnificent Philips-sported Group 4 Ravage evo 343 reviewed just before Christmas. Likewise, an interior reclad is available from €10,000, although this too may turn out significantly more costly based on the buyer’s imagination.

A €125,000 deposit needs to be put down upfront, with the next instalment payable by September, a third one in January 2027 and the remaining amount due upon delivery next spring.

The Tarmac Master cannot be doubted to be a truly unique vehicle. Designed on an already limited version of the A110, only people who are really enthusiastic about Alpine and have developed an interest in Ravage can be expected to buy it. For those who buy the vehicle, they will own the most limited of all the A110 cars, and truly a French supercar at that, which blends the passion of Alpine about lightness and Ravage’s design philosophy.