2020 Alpine A110 S

The Alpine A110 S is the harder-edged take on Dieppe's revival of its own rear-engined legend. Where the standard A110 prioritises suppleness, the S gets stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, a lower ride height, bigger rear anti-roll bar rates and a power bump from the mid-mounted 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder to 288 bhp. Paired with a dual-clutch automatic and a kerb weight little over a tonne, it remains one of the most agile and approachable driver's cars of its era.

This 2020 example has covered 24,800 miles and is offered by Lotus Surrey at £40,500. The listing gives no colour, options or ownership history, so those details are worth confirming on inspection, along with the service record, which matters on a car that is often used as intended.

At that price it sits at the accessible end of the A110 S market, offering mid-engined balance and light, precise steering for the money of a well-used hot hatch. It is a car that rewards B-road use far more than headline numbers suggest.