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Alpine A310 | Perseverance and V6: A Story of Glory
When Alpine unveiled the A310 in 1971, the Dieppe-based company was already renowned for the lightness and agility of its A110 berlinetta, a star in the rally world. The new coupe, however, was not intended to be a simple evolution: the goal was to create a more mature car, capable of taking on higher-displacement sports cars and aimed at a broader audience. The result was a model that, while remaining faithful to Alpine’s design philosophy, introduced a level of technical and stylistic ambition never before seen in the brand’s history.
The mechanical layout reflected the company’s DNA. The chassis consisted of a stiffened central steel structure, combined with a fiberglass body produced using complex molds — a material that ensured low weight and considerable freedom of form. This choice allowed designers to give the A310 a sharp silhouette, dominated by the iconic front end with six recessed headlights and the steeply raked rear window extending to a truncated tail. Aerodynamics were not the result of sophisticated calculations as they are today, but the overall drag coefficient was competitive for the era and contributed to stability at high speeds.
The engine, at least in the first series, represented the most controversial challenge. Alpine chose the four-cylinder unit from the Renault 16 TS: a 1.6-liter engine producing 108 hp, mounted in a rear overhang position. This layout favored traction and compactness, but resulted in a weight distribution heavily biased toward the rear axle. The consequence was a dynamic behavior that demanded experience: turn-in was quick, almost nervous, while the rear end could become progressively oversteering. Drivers appreciated its handling qualities, but comparisons with more powerful sports cars penalized the A310.
With the 1976 facelift, everything changed. The introduction of the PRV V6 engine — a 2.7-liter six-cylinder jointly developed by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo — radically transformed the car’s character. Power rose to 150 hp, but even more significant was the fuller, more linear torque curve, which made driving less demanding and more predictable. The inevitable increase in weight was offset by revised suspension tuning and an upgraded braking system. Top speed exceeded 220 kph, placing the coupe in territory closer to other European GTs than to compact French sports cars.
The five-speed manual transmission, derived from units already used in Renault models, offered precise shifts, although the lever travel remained relatively long. The decision to retain the rear-engine layout was confirmed: Alpine regarded this configuration as an indispensable part of its technical identity. Refinements to the rear suspension, with new triangular arms and revised geometry, significantly reduced the harsher behaviors, improving stability without sacrificing responsiveness.
The cabin revealed the car’s dual nature: on one hand, a clear focus on sportiness, with enveloping seats and a low driving position; on the other, at least an attempt to approach the comfort of more bourgeois GTs. The instrumentation, initially inspired by aeronautics, was arranged on a wraparound dashboard, while rear visibility was not always ideal due to the design of the rear window and the thick pillars.
Over time, the A310 carved out its own reputation, aided by numerous tuned versions and cars prepared for national competitions. Although it never achieved the same sporting glory as the A110, the V6 model became the launch pad for the later A610 and for the entire generation of Alpine coupes of the 1980s.
By Carlo Brema
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