MY21 LGT vs MY23GT
Discussion
Thought I'd drop a few lines on my recent experience driving and comparing a new GT 300pk model vs my 2020 (MY 21) LGT 252pk model i.e. the first of the limited edition series. Might be useful to others considering to make a swap with their earlier A110s.
For a good while now I'd been tempted to upgrade the LGT for a new GT version (with heritage colour Acier Blue). Really love that colour and always considered it to be "the one" colour I'd choose over the Mercure Silver gloss I have now. That, or possibly the Blue Sierra colour. However, by chance, there was also a new A110 base model sitting outside at the dealer in Blue Sierra paint. Really unusual and nice colour but more blue-green in the flesh than it is on digital photo's. I concluded the Acier blue to be nicer to my eyes. But how nice compared to other blues and against the Mecure Silver? We'll come back to that later.
First off, the improved Infotainment system is indeed nicer and easier to use; and especially if you're adding in Apps etc. The sound quality also sounded superior - when making a direct B2B comparison using bluetooth connection to play back my favourite tracks via my phone (in the LGT). To my ears, the sound was clearer and with higher volume capacity.
The standard built in navigation on the system however was poorer than on the Bosch system. Of course, you now have the option to add in your own navigation app of choice which is advantageous.
Curiously, I also preferred the rear camera view being displayed in the drivers console dash - as opposed to appearing on the 7" infotainment screen as per the new models. (This also made me think this could be an advantage should anyone want to only upgrade the functionality of the 7" screen? i.e. no / less camera display integration issues...?)
Anyway, all said, the new Infotainment system still can't be considered as top end kit. So not enough reason for me to part with a not inconsiderable amount of cash (26K Euro!) simply to upgrade to a car 2 years younger with Apple CarPlay + Heritage colour. But can the 300pk make up the difference?
Being restricted to 100 KPH (mostly...) I couldn't make an exhaustive driving / performance comparison but some nuggets came out, such as:
None of the above I would have realised if I hadn't taken the plunge to go check out the new GT in the blue heritage colour I like best (of all the "blues"). Really glad I did, scratched the itch, and lanced the FOMO boil...
It also made me appreciate even more the uniqueness of the LGT and to think of all of the nice Life110 goodies at reasonable cost I could add to gradually "upgrade" the car, and including - no doubt at some future point in time - a practical aftermarket upgrade of the infotainment screen and system to improve the HiFi quality and connectivity etc.
And, yes, no doubt there is some sub-conscious emotional attachment playing in there too - which is good as it means every man's car is best! So a win-win for everyone. Nonetheless, I did my best to be objective even though I really liked the idea of moving to a new GT. At the end of the day, I just couldn't make the man-maths work - and that's not including some PPF, ceramic coating, extended warranty, etc to make a complete "like for like". It's going to take a really special and significant limited edition to come along I reckon....
Hope some of the above is useful to folks considering making a change to a new GT model.
M.
For a good while now I'd been tempted to upgrade the LGT for a new GT version (with heritage colour Acier Blue). Really love that colour and always considered it to be "the one" colour I'd choose over the Mercure Silver gloss I have now. That, or possibly the Blue Sierra colour. However, by chance, there was also a new A110 base model sitting outside at the dealer in Blue Sierra paint. Really unusual and nice colour but more blue-green in the flesh than it is on digital photo's. I concluded the Acier blue to be nicer to my eyes. But how nice compared to other blues and against the Mecure Silver? We'll come back to that later.
First off, the improved Infotainment system is indeed nicer and easier to use; and especially if you're adding in Apps etc. The sound quality also sounded superior - when making a direct B2B comparison using bluetooth connection to play back my favourite tracks via my phone (in the LGT). To my ears, the sound was clearer and with higher volume capacity.
The standard built in navigation on the system however was poorer than on the Bosch system. Of course, you now have the option to add in your own navigation app of choice which is advantageous.
Curiously, I also preferred the rear camera view being displayed in the drivers console dash - as opposed to appearing on the 7" infotainment screen as per the new models. (This also made me think this could be an advantage should anyone want to only upgrade the functionality of the 7" screen? i.e. no / less camera display integration issues...?)
Anyway, all said, the new Infotainment system still can't be considered as top end kit. So not enough reason for me to part with a not inconsiderable amount of cash (26K Euro!) simply to upgrade to a car 2 years younger with Apple CarPlay + Heritage colour. But can the 300pk make up the difference?
Being restricted to 100 KPH (mostly...) I couldn't make an exhaustive driving / performance comparison but some nuggets came out, such as:
- at normal driving speeds, also under hard acceleration, really no noticeable difference in acceleration performance
- At 80KPH and 100KPH, virtually sitting at identical RPM levels - possibly a smidge higher on the MY22-23 GT but nothing noticeable
- Suspension seemed a bit softer (in a good way) - possibly the result of the alleged chassis tweaks Alpine have made to the current GT?
- Interestingly, and for me a surprise, the exhaust note came across as 'tamer', possibly a bit more 'tinny' than on the LGT. When I jumped back into the LGT, I indeed felt the exhaust sounded nicer; not louder, just with a bit more character, slightly deeper sound. (Both have the Sports exhaust). Really hard to describe in writing but it was noticeable. I'm advised it's not unusual for identical A110's to sound differently. Could also be how they've been driven and worked in I guess. Or, is it that the standard 252 pk model sounds less strained / pushed? is that it? I don't know.
None of the above I would have realised if I hadn't taken the plunge to go check out the new GT in the blue heritage colour I like best (of all the "blues"). Really glad I did, scratched the itch, and lanced the FOMO boil...
It also made me appreciate even more the uniqueness of the LGT and to think of all of the nice Life110 goodies at reasonable cost I could add to gradually "upgrade" the car, and including - no doubt at some future point in time - a practical aftermarket upgrade of the infotainment screen and system to improve the HiFi quality and connectivity etc.
And, yes, no doubt there is some sub-conscious emotional attachment playing in there too - which is good as it means every man's car is best! So a win-win for everyone. Nonetheless, I did my best to be objective even though I really liked the idea of moving to a new GT. At the end of the day, I just couldn't make the man-maths work - and that's not including some PPF, ceramic coating, extended warranty, etc to make a complete "like for like". It's going to take a really special and significant limited edition to come along I reckon....
Hope some of the above is useful to folks considering making a change to a new GT model.
M.
Useful comments for me on a personal perspective.
Ultimately my buying decision came down to a decision between a 2020 LGT in the light silver with Tan interior and a massively loaded (ie matched the spec and in some areas more kit than the LGT) 2023 Base model in Thunder Grey with black interior and blue stitching.
I love the light silver and tan interior, particularly the interior - looks like a mini Aston, but that being offset by a 2.5 year old car versus a new one and one which had carplay (which for me is a fairly big thing).
Head won in buying the new car, heart said the LGT, but the key decision maker for me was that the new car was only £4K more than the LGT and that is not enough discount for a 2.5 year old car. Clearly the monetary cost to change would be far greater as you own the LGT, but residuals (retail rather than trade in) and the resultant minimal price differential made the decision for me.
(Actually there were 2 LGTs available, one was available at a £10k differential which I'd probably have gone with, but it didn't pass my detailed condition inspection)
In your position, no way I'd change.
Ultimately my buying decision came down to a decision between a 2020 LGT in the light silver with Tan interior and a massively loaded (ie matched the spec and in some areas more kit than the LGT) 2023 Base model in Thunder Grey with black interior and blue stitching.
I love the light silver and tan interior, particularly the interior - looks like a mini Aston, but that being offset by a 2.5 year old car versus a new one and one which had carplay (which for me is a fairly big thing).
Head won in buying the new car, heart said the LGT, but the key decision maker for me was that the new car was only £4K more than the LGT and that is not enough discount for a 2.5 year old car. Clearly the monetary cost to change would be far greater as you own the LGT, but residuals (retail rather than trade in) and the resultant minimal price differential made the decision for me.
(Actually there were 2 LGTs available, one was available at a £10k differential which I'd probably have gone with, but it didn't pass my detailed condition inspection)
In your position, no way I'd change.
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