Alpine A610 Turbo
The Alpine A610 was the last of the breed — the final rear-engined, fiberglass-bodied sports car to carry the Alpine name before the brand went dormant for over two decades. Building on the foundation of the GTA, the A610 featured a more refined and powerful version of the PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) V6 engine, now turbocharged to produce 250 horsepower. The fiberglass body was extensively redesigned with more aggressive, modern lines featuring distinctive triple-lamp headlights and a wider, more muscular stance. Despite its rear-engine layout, the A610 was remarkably well-balanced, with careful weight distribution and sophisticated double wishbone suspension at all four corners providing handling that could challenge the Porsche 911 of the era. The interior was significantly improved over the GTA, with better materials and more equipment, positioning the A610 as a genuine grand tourer rather than a spartan sports car. However, the A610 arrived during a recession and faced stiff competition from the Porsche 968 and Honda NSX. Only 818 units were produced before Alpine ceased production in 1995, ending a glorious chapter of French sports car engineering that had begun with the original A110 in the 1960s.
The fiberglass body doesn't rust but the steel backbone chassis can. Check chassis rails and mounting points thoroughly. The PRV Turbo engine is reliable but turbo replacement is expensive. Rear engine access is limited. The A610's electrical system can be troublesome. With only 818 built, parts availability is limited — European specialists are essential.
Only 818 A610s were produced at the Alpine factory in Dieppe before production ended in 1995. The Dieppe factory later produced Renault Sport models. The Alpine brand was revived in 2017 with the new A110.