Alpine A310

Infobox Automobile


name = Alpine A310
manufacturer = Alpine
production = 1971–1984
class = Sports car
body_style = RR coupé
engine = 1.6 4cyl
2.7 V6 PRV
transmission = 5-speed manual
Max Speed = 220 km/h 137 mph >2.7 V6
length = 167.3 inches (425 cm)
width = 65 inches (165 cm)
wheelbase = 89.4 inches (227 cm)
height = 45.3 inches (115 cm)
predecessor = Alpine A110
successor = Renault Alpine GTA/A610
similar = Lotus Esprit
Porsche 911
De Lorean DMC-12

The Alpine A310 was a sports car built by French manufacturer Alpine, from 1971 to 1984. __TOC__
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 DIN (93.5 kW/125 hp), thanks to the use of 2 twin barrel 45 DCOE Weber carburetors.

In 1976 the A310 was restyled by Robert Opron and fitted with the more powerful and newly-developed 90 degree 2700 cc V6 PRV engine. As used in up-range Renaults, Volvos and Peugeots this lifted the car into the lower echelons of the supercar league, where the Porsche was a dominant player.The basis of the A310 was a hefty tubular steel backbone chassis, clothed in a tough 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 on tap, the A310 PRV V6 was Renault's performance flagship capable of 220 km/h (137 mph) and neck straining acceleration. Despite the tail-heavy weight distribution (like Porsche 911), handling was safe and rewarding.

In the later Models of the A310 a "GTPack" which was inspired from the Group4 A310 racing cars would be developed, it gain wheel arches, larger spoilers front and rear, the 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.

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

Events

The 30th Anniversary of the A310 will be celebrated on 22/23/24 June 2007A gathering of the great Alpine family in Dieppe will be organized... http://www.retroalpine.com/A310V6/presentation2007.php

Production

Production models

A310 4 CYLINDER MODELS VARIANTS
1971–1976

A310 1600 VE | Series 1
1971–1974 : 1605cc (R17TS) 4 cylinder | 5 speed (type 365-10)
Power 125 hp. DIN à 6000 tr/min | carburetors - twin 45 DCOE weber
3 stud suspension. | Weight 840kg. | Fuel Tank 55 L.

A310 1600 VF | Series 1
1973–1976 : 1605cc (R17TS) 4 cylinder | 5 speed (type 365-10)
Power 127 hp. DIN à 6450 tr/min | Injection - electronic direct Bosch D-Jetronic
3 stud suspension. | Weight 840kg. | Fuel Tank 55 L.

A310 1600 VG | Series 1
1975–1976 : 1647cc (R17TS) 4 cylinder | 5 speed (type 365-24)
Power 95 hp. DIN à 6000 tr/min | carburetors - single weber, double throat 32 Weber DAR7
3 stud suspension. | Weight 825kg. | Fuel Tank 55 L.

A310 V6 MODELS 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. 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 980kg. | 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. 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 980kg. | 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. 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 980kg. | 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. 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

1971....4 cyl.carburators......1600 VE......................001 to 0010
1972....4 cyl.carburators......1600 VE....................0011 to 0550
1973....4 cyl.carburators......1600 VE....................0551 to 1200
1974....4 cyl.injection..........1600 VF.................21185 to 21750
1975....4 cyl.injection..........1600 VF.................21751 to 22016
1976....4 cyl.injection..........1600 VF.................22017 to 22137
1976....4 cyl.simply carb.....1600 VG.................40000 to 40386

1977....V6..........................2700 VA.................43015 to 43795
1978....V6..........................2700 VA.................43796 to 45089
1979....V6..........................2700 VA
1979....V6 GR IV................2700 VA.................45090 to 46355
1980....V6..........................2700 VA.................46356 to 47683
1981....V6..........................2700 VA.................47710 to 48847
1982....V6..........................2700 VA.................48848 to 49960
1983....V6..........................2700 VA
1983....V6 GT.....................2700 VAA...............49961 to 52093
1984....V6..........................2700 VA
1984....V6 GT.....................2700 VAA...............E0000001 to E0001781
1985....V6..........................2700 VA
1985....V6 GT.....................2700 VAA...............F0000324 to F0001874

Country identification

100 France
101 Belgique
102 Italy
103 Niedelrand
120 Germany
123 Switzerland
267 Spain
203 Mexique
267 Portugal

A310 Star Appearances | TV Movies

A bright blue A310 1600VE was featured in the anime series "Neon Genesis Evangelion"; it is the car (recklessly) driven by Misato Katsuragi.

This car also appeared frequently in "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo", mostly during the Trans-France Race. It was white with a red lower body and trim, as well as a number 2 on the sides and the hood. The racer was adorned with decals that appeared to advertise Esso petroleum.

A red version of the car is briefly seen in the game Time Crisis 2, at the beginning of the second level.

It also appears in PS2's GT4 where it has a 1 make race. Particularly where it races with the A110 model.

External links

* [http://www.jean.ma310.free.fr/A310/A310.html Renault Alpine history website, has A310 forum etc - France]
* [http://alpinerenault.free.fr Alpine website, has A310 history - France]
* [http://www.automobile-sportive.com/guide/alpine/a310v6.php Alpine A310 history, pictures - France]
* [http://agccrestauration1.free.fr/p704.htm A310 Restoration - France]
* [http://aaa310club.alpinerenault.com/ Alpine A310 Club - Braford A. Stevens - United States of America]
* [http://www.a310alpine.com/ Alpine A310 (David Bishop) - United Kingdom]
* [http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/renoa310/folder/841892.html A310 Yahoo owners blog - Japan]
* [http://kappachan.jugem.jp/ Gordini-Alpine-A310 - Japan]