Renault Alpine GTA/A610

Infobox Automobile
name = Renault Alpine GTA


manufacturer = Renault Alpine
production = 1986-1991
class = Sports car
predecessor = Alpine A310
body_style = 2+2, 2-door coupe
layout = RR layout
successor = Alpine A610
assembly = Dieppe, France
engine = 2.7L then 2.5L V6 PRV
3.0L V6 PRV, TurbochargedThe Renault Alpine GTA is a coupe automobile produced by the Renault-owned French manufacturer Alpine between 1986 and 1991.

It was the first car launched by Alpine under Renault ownership (though Alpine had been affiliated with Renault for many years, with its earlier models using many Renault parts). It effectively updated the design of its predecessor, the Alpine A310, updating that car's silhouette with modern design features like body-integrated bumpers and a triangular C pillar with large rear windshield. It used the PRV V6 engine in a rear-engined layout, with extensive use of Polyester plastics and fibreglass for the body panels making it considerably lighter and quicker than rivals such as the Porsche 944. It was one of the most aerodynamic cars of its time, the normally-aspirated version achieving a world record 0.28 drag coifficient. The PRV engine in the normally aspirated model was identical to the version used in the Renault 25, a 2849 cc unit producing Convert|160|hp|kW|0|abbr=on. Also available was the turbocharged model, which increased the power of the PRV unit to Convert|200|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on.

Specifications

= Alpine A610 =Infobox Automobile
name = Alpine A610
manufacturer = Alpine
production = 1991-1995
class = Sports GT
predecessor = Alpine GTA
body_style = 2+2, 2-door coupe
layout = RR layout
successor = -
assembly = Dieppe, France
engine = 3.0L V6 PRV 90°, 2 975 cm³, TurbochargedThe Alpine A610 was a coupe automobile produced by the Renault-owned French manufacturer Alpine. It was launched in 1991. Due to short budget at the beginning of the project, its look does not differ much from the GTA, and it looks quite similar to the Usa GTA with its pop-up headlights (this was believed to be because the Alpine, when viewed head-on, strongly resembled mid-80s versions of the Ford Sierra ; but the actual reason for that and for the batteries to be in the front was to better balance the weight between the front and the back). But it is a completely different car, it shares only the windows with the GTA. The basic concepts of all Alpine are there (back engine, steel backbone chassis... that all Alpine since the A110 shares). The name of the brand is now Alpine short, as linking Alpine and Renault together (first as Alpine-Renault then Renault-Alpine) seemed to make the brand sport charisma disappear. The PRV engine remained, but it was enlarged to 3 litres, which enabled it to produce Convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on.

The A610 Albertville 92 was presented in 1991 for the Olympic games. 2 samples, and other Renault cars, were used to drive VIP, before being sold as occasion. They had specific color (Gardenia White) and interior, but the same engine and same technical specifications.

The A610 Magny-Cours was created for the Williams-Renault formula one victory in the France Grand Prix at Magny-Cours in July 1991. 31 cars were built, with specific color and interior.

The A610 did not result in an improvement in sales over the commercially disappointing GTA and the car was discontinued in 1995, despite acclaim from the motoring press, and approval from the British car show Top Gear. The A610 was to be the last car so far to carry the Alpine name; after production of the A610 ended, the Alpine factory in Dieppe produced the Renault Spider.

Specifications

Trivia

* A Triumph TR7 (with modified bodywork) was used in the special effects as a replacement for Marcus Tandy's A610 in the last episode of BBC 1 soap opera Eldorado, when the car exploded in one of the final scenes.

* A rare right hand drive A610 (believed 1 of 40 remaining examples) was destroyed on Jeremy Clarkson's Supercar Showdown DVD.

External links

* [http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/ www.renaultalpine.co.uk : UK Renault & Alpine Owners Club and Forum]
* [http://www.alpinerenaulttuning.co.uk/ www.alpinerenaulttuning.co.uk : UK Renault & Alpine Tuning and restoration parts information]