Alpine A310

Alpine A310

Manufacturer	Alpine
Production	1971–1984
Predecessor	Alpine A110
Successor	Renault Alpine GTA/A610
Class	Sports car
Body style	Coupé
Layout	RR layout
Engine	1,605 cc A2L/A3L I4 (1600 VE/VF) 1,647 cc A6M I4 (1600 VG) 2,664 cc PRV V6
Transmission	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	227 cm (89 in)
Length	418 cm (165 in)
Width	164 cm (65 in)
Height	115 cm (45 in)

The Alpine A310 is a sports car built by French manufacturer Alpine, from 1971 to 1984.

History

Dieppe-based Alpine, once an independent company specialising in faster Renaults, later a Renault subsidiary, established a fine competition history with the Alpine A110 winning the 1973 Monte Carlo Rally and World Rally Championship. The successor was the Alpine A310, initially powered by tuned 17TS/Gordini four-cylinder engine, still rear-mounted. The maximum power reaching 127 PS (93 kW; 125 hp), thanks to the use of 2 twin-barrel 45 DCOE Weber carburetors.

The first model of the A310, built 1971-1976, was a car with a four-cylinder engine and six frontlights. In 1976 the A310 was restyled by Robert Opron and fitted with the more powerful and newly developed 90-degree 2,664 cc V6 PRV engine, as used in some Renaults, Volvos and Peugeots.

The basis of the A310 was a hefty tubular steel backbone chassis, clothed in a fiberglass shell. Like the ill-fated De Lorean DMC-12, which used the same PRV powertrain, the engine was mounted longitudinally in the rear, driving forward to the wheels through a manual 5-speed gearbox. With 149 bhp (111 kW) on tap, the A310 PRV V6 was Renault's performance flagship capable of 220 km/h (137 mph) and acceptable acceleration. The tail-heavy weight distribution gave handling characteristics similar to the contemporary Porsche 911. Beginning with model year 1981 (in late 1980), the rear suspension was shared with the mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo. Rather than the previous three-lug wheels, the A310 also received the alloys used for the 5 Turbo, albeit without the painted elements.

In the later Models (1983-1984) of the A310 a "GTPack" which was inspired from the Group4 A310 racing cars would be developed, it gained wheel arches, larger spoilers front and rear. A few Alpine A310 V6 GT Pack Kit Boulogne was built (27), the PRV-V6 was bored out to a 2.9 L motor was modified by Alpine, fitted with 3x Weber 42DCNF carburetors that pushed power to 193 hp (144 kW).

Competition

1977 - French Rally Championship
The A310 had great success in French motorsport as a Group 4 car. In 1977 Guy Frequelin (Alpine Renault A 310-V6) won the French Rally championship.

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  Close Up A310

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  Front Alpine A310 V6 (1976-1980)

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  Rear Alpine A310 V6 (1976-1980)

Production

A310 four-cylinder
1971	120 units
1972	575 units
1973	666 units
1974	344 units
1975	306 units
1976	329 units
TOTAL	2 340 units
A310 V6
1976	140 units
1977	1 220 units
1978	1 216 units
1979	1 381 units
1980	1 138 units
1981	1 284 units
1982	1 095 units
1983	1 139 units
1984	663 units
TOTAL	9 276 units

Production models

A310 4-cylinder model variants

1971–1976

A310 1600 Series 1 (55L fuel tank, 3 stud suspension, 4-cylinder engine, 5 speed transmission)

Model	Years	Engine	Transmission	Power	Admission	Weight
VE	1971–1974	1605 cc (R17TS Injection)	type 365-10	125 hp (93 kW). DIN à 6000 tr/min	carburetors - twin 45 DCOE weber	840 kg (1,852 lb)
VF	1973–1976	1605 cc (R17TS Injection/Gordini)	type 365-10	127 hp (95 kW). DIN à 6450 tr/min	Injection - electronic direct Bosch D-Jetronic	825 kg (1,819 lb)
VG	1975–1976	1647 cc (R17 Gordini)	type 365-24	95 hp (71 kW). DIN à 6000 tr/min	carburetors - single weber, double throat 32 Weber DAR7	825 kg (1,819 lb)

A310 V6 model variants

1977–1985

A310 V6 | Series 1
1977–1980 : 2664 cc (R 30 TS) V6 | manual transmission 4-speed (type 367-05) > 5-speed (type 369-02)
Power 150 hp (110 kW). DIN à 6000 tr/min | 1 carburetor single throat Solex 34 TBIA and 1 carburetor double throat Solex 35 CEEI
3 stud R30 inspired suspension. | Weight 980 kg (2,161 lb). | Fuel Tank 62 L.

A310 V6 | Series 2
1981–1985 : 2664 cc (R 30 TS) V6 | manual transmission 5-speed (type 369-02)
Power 150 hp (110 kW). DIN à 6000 tr/min | 1 carburetor single throat Solex 34 TBIA and 1 carburetor double throat Solex 35 CEEI.
4 stud R5 Turbo inspired suspension, restyled exterior, new bumpers | Weight 980 kg (2,161 lb). | Fuel Tank 62 L.

A310 V6 "Pack GT"
1982–1985 : 2664 cc (R 30 TS) V6 | manual transmission 5-speed (type 369-02)
Power 150 hp (110 kW). DIN à 6000 tr/min | 1 carburetor single throat Solex 34 TBIA and 1 carburetor double throat Solex 35 CEEI.
4 stud R5 Turbo inspired suspension, flared arches, aerodynamic kit, larger wheels etc. | Weight 980 kg (2,161 lb). | Fuel Tank 62 L.

A310 V6 "Pack GT Boulogne"
1982–1985 : 2849 cc (Volvo) V6 | manual transmission 5-speed (type 369-02)
Power 193 hp (144 kW). DIN à 6000 tr/min | 2 carburetor triple throat vertical Weber 46 IDA.
4 stud R5 Turbo inspired suspension, flared arches, aerodynamic kit, larger wheels, etc.

Production numbers

Year	Engine	Model	From	To
1971	4-cylinder carburetors	1600 VE	001	0010
1972	4-cylinder carburetors	1600 VE	0011	0550
1973	4-cylinder carburetors	1600 VE	0551	1200
1974	4-cylinder injection	1600 VF	21185	21750
1975	4-cylinder injection	1600 VF	21751	22016
1976	4-cylinder injection	1600 VF	22017	22137
1976	4-cylinder simply carb	1600 VG	40000	40386
1977	V6	2700 VA	43015	43795
1978	V6	2700 VA	43796	45089
1979	V6	2700 VA	45090	46355
	V6 GR IV
1980	V6	2700 VA	46356	47683
1981	V6	2700 VA	47710	48847
1982	V6	2700 VA	48848	49960
1983	V6	2700 VA	49961	52093
	V6 GT	2700 VAA
1984	V6	2700 VA	E0000001	E0001781
	V6 GT	2700 VAA
1985	V6	2700 VA	F0000324	F0001874
	V6 GT	2700 VAA

Country identification

100	France
101	Belgium
102	Italy
103	Holland
120	Germany
123	Switzerland
267	Spain
203	Mexico
267	Portugal

External links

• Renault Alpine history website, has A310 forum etc - France
• Alpine A310 4 cylinders Club - France
• Alpine website, has A310 history - France
• Alpine A310 history, pictures - France
• A310 Restoration - France
• Alpine A310 Club - Braford A. Stevens - United States of America
• Alpine A310 (David Bishop) - United Kingdom