Alpine A310 V6 GTA

Alpine A310 V6 GTA

The Alpine A310 V6 GTA represents the maturation of the small French sports car maker that had earned its reputation on the rally stages of Europe. Introduced in 1971 as a successor to the legendary A110, the A310 was always intended to be more refined and comfortable than its predecessor, moving Alpine from the world of lightweight rally specials into genuine grand touring territory. The V6 GTA version, powered by the Renault-developed PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) 2.7-liter V6, brought real performance credibility to the larger, heavier platform.

The fiberglass body, a hallmark of Alpine construction dating back to the company's founding by Jean Redele in 1955, sat atop a steel backbone chassis. The rear-engine layout continued from the A110, though the A310's longer wheelbase and wider track tamed some of the earlier car's notorious oversteer tendencies. The interior marked a significant step upward in refinement, with proper instrumentation, comfortable seats, and enough space for two adults and their luggage.

The PRV V6 in GTA specification produced 150 horsepower, channeled through a five-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. While not an outright power figure to rival contemporary Porsches, the A310's relatively light weight thanks to its fiberglass construction meant performance was spirited, with 0-100 km/h achievable in approximately 7.5 seconds. The handling, once drivers adapted to the rear-engine weight distribution, rewarded skilled pilots with remarkable agility through corners.

Alpine had been acquired by Renault in 1973, and the A310 benefited from access to Renault's engineering resources while retaining the artisanal quality that made Alpine special. Production at the Dieppe factory remained modest, with each car receiving significant hand-finishing. The A310 competed in Group 4 racing with some success, particularly in French national championships, though it never achieved the international rally prominence of the A110.

Today, the A310 V6 GTA occupies an interesting niche in the collector market. Less valuable than the iconic A110 but increasingly appreciated for its combination of usability, distinctive styling, and genuine rarity, it represents accessible entry into Alpine ownership. The model's relative obscurity outside France has kept prices moderate, though rising awareness of the marque following the 2017 Alpine revival has generated growing international interest.