Alpine A310
Alpine A310 ( 1971-1976 )
The Alpine A310 (also: Alpine Renault A310 and Renault Alpine A310 ) is a sports car of the French car maker Alpine, which was manufactured by the spring of 1971 until early 1985.
It is made in a quantity of 11,616 copies, of which 2340 vehicles on the A310 four-cylinder models ( 1971-1976 ) and 9276 vehicles on the A310 successor V6 ( 1976-1985 ). The A310 V6 is according to sales figures, the most successful model of the brand Alpine.
As a predecessor to the A310 applies the A110 Berlinetta, which was, however, still continued to be built until the end of 1977 in parallel with the A310.
Successor to the A310 are the models Alpine V6 GT and Alpine V6 Turbo ( D500/D501 ). The A310 was its predecessor still made entirely by hand as. This tradition ended in the subsequent models.
The A310 is the last Alpine model, which was developed by company founder Jean Rédélé before he completely sold the brand to the State Alpine Renault Group. Through the influence of Renault on the marketing of the brand Alpine has the double brand name " Alpine Renault ", later ( 1980s) " Renault Alpine ", used as a sales designation for vehicles of the brand Alpine. Affected was the A310. In the original vehicle documents of the A310 but nothing changed, there was still only Alpine officially registered as manufacturers and brand ( model code number: 3033/3030000 ).
1989 changed the then parent company Renault, its strategy regarding the marketing of the brand Alpine back and let the double underline brand name " Renault Alpine " complete identification purchases. The vehicles were re- equipped exclusively with emblems of Alpine factory and sold as Alpine. The return to the origins should return the stand-alone image again the brand Alpine. The time of the blurred separation of the two brands, which at any time were legally two distinct brands, led always to confusion, which manufacturer or which brand the Alpine vehicles must be assigned correctly.
As a new car, the Alpine A310 was to order in Germany with a Alpine Centre. These centers were set up within the existing Renault dealer network, so that the selected Renault dealer both brands represented.
- 2.1 four-cylinder models 2.1.1 Alpine A310 prototype
- 2.1.2 Alpine A310
- 2.2.1 PRV six-cylinder engine and V6 prototypes
- 2.2.2 Alpine A310 V6
- 2.2.3 Alpine A310 V6 pack GT
- 2.2.4 A310 V6 Kit Boulogne
- 2.2.5 Alpine A310 V6 Group 4
Development
In 1968, Jean Rédélé, the founder and former sole owner of the Alpine sports car brand, with the development of the A310. Rédélé wanted to supplement the shrunken model range from Alpine with a completely new sports car model. There had been since the early 60s, no development work for new Alpine models more. Rédélé sat at his new vehicle is no longer solely on athleticism than ever in the A110 Berlinetta, but wanted to let the new car give more comfort in addition.
The A310 should be sent as a French Porsche competitor on the market. As with Porsche should create a 2 2- seater, which should get a V6 engine. The 2 2- seater concept could be implemented only partially. Although the A310 pointed behind the driver sitting on two jump seats; they were, however, very scarce sized and resemble two wells as two seats usable.
It was developed A310 essentially of six people: Richard Bouleau was the chief engineer, Roger Prieur was responsible for detailed questions on technology, Bernard Dudot - later involved in Renault Formula 1 program - responsible for the mechanical, Michel Beligond and Yves Legal were the stylists, and Marcel Hubert oversaw the aerodynamics. The work was carried out to a large extent in Jean Rédélés private apartment because the old factory in the Avenue Pasteur become too small, the new plant in the Avenue de Bréauté in Dieppe but was not quite ready yet. The first plans and models of the vehicle originated in the kitchen of Jean Redele. Since the PRV engine (cooperation between Renault, Peugeot and Volvo) was not yet ready for mass production, the A310 it was decided to bring to the market first as a four-cylinder version. The prototype was unveiled in the spring of 1971 in Geneva the public.
Technology
Technically, the A310 was not a completely new development. The car first took over the central tube frame of the A110, which was glued to the body, but is separate again for restoration without problems. The wheelbase matched the 2 2- seater A110 GT4. The rear-wheel drive technology corresponded almost entirely of the Renault models R8 and R10. The engine was installed behind the rear axle.
The wheels were hung all around individually and had coil springs, wishbones and stabilizers. If the fine-tuning of the chassis of a Alpine A310 is not right, is partially reported by difficult handling of the vehicle. If this is the case, the car should be re-set by an Alpine specialist. A correctly set A310 does not become unstable at high speeds. The spare wheel, the tank and the water cooler were housed in Wagenbug. Thus, the weight distribution is improved. A trunk was not available. Some use the spare wheel well of Wagenbug as a trunk.
Body
The body of the A310 was in the interest of weight reduction as with the previous model made of fiberglass reinforced plastic. It was made entirely by hand. For example, since the doors are cut out from the body, there are minor differences between the components, whereby the adjusting of spare parts is complicated.
The body is a widespread view that in its basic features on the British designer Trevor Fiore back. Fiore was since the late 1960s, the Italian Carrozzeria Fissore freelancer, which established, among other things, the bodies of the Swiss sports car manufacturer Monteverdi. It is widely believed that Peter Monteverdi, owner of the Basel company, Fiore's design took up and on this basis its own mid-engine sports car named Hai -designed 450. Hence the fundamental similarity of the lines of the Alpine to those of the declared ( presented earlier) Monteverdi.
The design of the body is optimized in a wind tunnel, leading inter alia to the fact that the headlight at the front of disappearing under a cover glass in order to reduce air resistance. This Alpine quoted the French luxury coupe Citroën SM, which was published a year earlier with a similar nose design.
The body fell with 4.25 m length, 1.68 m width and 1.15 m height from greater than those of the smaller A110 Berlinetta. The difference with only 2 cm in height remained low.
The prototype and the first copies of the A310 had a lamellar cover of the rear end ( hood ) to ( Shed BBQ), which reminded some observers of the Lamborghini Miura and should result in an improvement in aerodynamics. However, the French regulatory authority did not agree to a use of the shed grills. Some sources indicate that this was due to the fact that the scales severely diminished rear visibility. Therefore, the scales grill was no longer standard equipment offered in the third year and replaced by an obliquely arranged glass. However, the scales grill was still available as an accessory and could be retrofitted.
The prototype of the Alpine A310 1971 had also mounted the taillights above the bumper. This, too, had to be changed due to the French homologation rules, so for all series models, the back people were displaced downward.
Versions of the Alpine A310
Four -cylinder models
Alpine A310 prototype
The prototype was unveiled in the spring of 1971 in Geneva the public. It is similar in general terms to the standard model with four cylinders, but had a shed grill, and the rear lights were mounted above the bumper.
Alpine A310
A310 Internal: 1600VE / 1600VF.
After the completion of the new plant in Dieppe began in the summer of 1971 the production of the A310. The car got the 1.6-liter engine of the Renault 16 TS, which made 115 hp with its cross -flow cylinder head.
The sale was slow, since on the one hand the much lighter and thus sportier A110 Berlinetta was continued to be produced until the end of 1977 and especially the early 1970s import large sporting successes with him Alpine was the winner in the European Rally Championship, the World Rally Championship, the international brand world Championship twice and triple winner of the Monte Carlo Rally. The sporting success was sales of the A110 Berlinetta rise sharply during this period.
In addition, the A310 was a relatively expensive car when it was launched. 1972 was his selling price in Germany 31 975 DM corresponded approximately to the price level of the Porsche 911 S, which made 190 horsepower, while Porsche only asked for 23,480 DM for a 131 -hp Porsche 911 T. An Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce with 131 hp with cost 16,790 DM for almost half an Alpine. The slightly higher compared to the weight of the A110 A310 made also noticeable with the four- cylinder engine.
Starting in 1973, the A310 was optionally available with an electronic fuel injection system, which had previously been used already in the Renault 17. These vehicles were without exception for export. As A310 SI the car was now powered by 124 hp. But sales fell as a result of the oil crisis until the mid- 1970s further back. In order to promote the sale, 1976, a fuel-efficient, lower-power, 95 hp version of the labeled A310 SX was put on the market. Of the various four-cylinder versions of the A310 approximately 2340 copies were made .
In 1974, the body of the four-cylinder A310 has been revised. The internal labeling changed in parallel.
Typical of the vierzylinderigen A310 is the glazed front with six lights.
Rear view
A 310 six cylinder
PRV- six-cylinder engine and V6 prototypes
The PRV- six-cylinder engine is a collaboration between Peugeot, Renault and Volvo. It was also used in vehicles of the brand Alpine or DeLorean.
Beginning of 1975, the development of the PRV V6 engine was completed. The engine was originally developed as an eight- cylinder engine, but was shortened after the oil crisis on six cylinders. Since the engine is maintained as a six-cylinder ideal for V8 engines cylinder bank angle of 90 degrees, an uneven running of the engine revealed. He could be corrected in later versions due to modifications ( counterweights ) at the crank. The 2664 cc all-aluminum engine was built by Renault in its own plant in Douvrin to 1998 and revised by Alpine. Alpine was developed in 1975 based on this engine, a six-cylinder version of the A310. The engine mount has been completely redesigned. This is a subsequent conversion of a four-cylinder model to a six-cylinder engine is not possible.
In order to realize the conversion of the A310 on the six-cylinder engine, developed in the course of 1975, two different prototypes of the A310 V6, the intensive tests were subjected. One of the prototypes had pop-up headlights and remembered in the lines of the rear of the Maserati Merak. The second had only to changes in the rear of the vehicle.
In the end it was decided to make no significant optical changes at the rear of the vehicle, and revised in details the design of the four-cylinder version. This resulted in minor stylistic changes in the A310 V6. Instead of the six front headlights, which had won the four-cylinder version, the A310 V6 was only four headlights. The air vents in the fenders were closed with the V6, the Alpine emblem that had been previously attached to the sides, has been removed. In addition, the A310 V6 got a rear spoiler.
Alpine A310 V6
Type: A310 Internal: 2700VA
Early 1976, the development of the V6 model was completed and the first 140 copies of the A310 V6 left the factory in Dieppe. The PRV engine developed in the production version of the Alpine A310 V6 150 hp at 6000 rpm, the racing version of 270 hp. In the series version of the engine is equipped with a Solex downdraft carburettors 34 TBIA and a Solex twin downdraft carburetor 35CEEI, both feed into a central intake manifold and supply both the six cylinder. This construction is rather unusual. Since the engine in the standard version but has in comparison to the performance over a large displacement, it is possible with simple changes, such as by other carburetor to get a performance boost. The V6 engine of the A310 V6 was now able to compensate for the slightly higher weight of the vehicle, and contributed significantly to the success of the vehicle.
With 9276 copies, which were built by the spring of 1976 to early 1985, the A310 V6 was clearly more successful than its four-cylinder predecessor. It was the most successful after the sales model of Alpine and was even sold more frequently than the famous A110 Berlinetta, which was also sold very successfully.
Cockpit of the Alpine A310 V6 ( and followed up with another instrument )
Alpine A310 V6 as a police vehicle
An Alpine A310 V6 in 2013
As part of an extensive facelift, the narrow rubber bumpers front and rear have been replaced by large plastic bumpers in the fall of 1980, and the three-hole rims by the derived from the Renault 5 Turbo four-bolt TRX wheels with turbine design. The new axle corresponded to that of the R5 Turbo. Robert Opron, a French designer, who at the time was working for Renault, looked after these modifications. Opron had previously worked at Citroën and there developed the shape of the DS as well as the Citroën SM.
The second series of the A310 V6 also got an additional tool in the dashboard. The Alpine A310 V6 from year 1981 registered a top speed of 225 km / h, making it the fastest road car built in France this time. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h was 7.8 seconds. An Alpine A310 V6 1981 depending on equipment cost 44,000 DM which was only slightly below the selling price of a Porsche 911
Rear view
Alpine A310 V6 pack GT
Type: A310 Internal: 2700VAA
The Alpine A310 V6 pack GT is offered from the 1983 extended version of the A310 V6 that was offered in France A310 GT Pack and in Germany as the A310 south. This model was only built from 1983 to 1985. The A310 GT Pack, in addition to the wide body and the significantly more flared fenders, get a revised rear - and front spoiler.
Since the A310 V6 GT Pack is heavier, its registered speed reduced to 215 km / h In addition, this model received other rims, where nothing was changed in the engine. After a review of the door locks, the most genuine A310 V6 GT Pack have an added push-button in the doors. Today many vehicles are on the market that have been widened later. The identification of real GT Pack is 2700VAA that a regular version 2700VA.
V6 A310 Kit Boulogne
A derivative of the A310 V6 GT Pack is a designated as a kit version Boulogne, which had extensive modifications to the engine. The kit Boulogne- vehicles had an enlarged 2.8 liter PRV six- cylinder engine, which leaned on a 1977 developed for rally racing engine. The engine was equipped with two triple carburetors Weber (type IDA46 ) and made 193 hp at 6000 rpm. The maximum speed of this model was 235 km / h Externally corresponded to the body of the kit Boulogne the body of the Alpine A310 V6 GT Pack, but it was equipped from the factory as one with a shed grill as bonnet, which differs from the shed grill from the accessories.
The kit Boulogne- model is a rare version of the A310. It emerged only a few work vehicles. Besides them, there are some replicas, or unauthorized modifications.
Alpine A310 V6 Group 4
Also vehicles from the years 1976-1980 are available on the market today again offered that have a broadening. As a rule, these are vehicles that have been widened later. The factory left only six vehicles of the first series with a broadening of the factory in Dieppe.
Sporting successes
The Alpine A310 is sporty often in the shadow of the A110 Berlinetta, which coined the rallying many years and was used from 1961 until the mid -1970s in active racing. The Alpine A310 came only in 1976 with the use of the V6 engine to full maturity, as this more powerful engine was able to offset the higher weight. The racing version of the Alpine A310 V6 had 270 hp and was only very short ( about 1 year), but also successfully used in racing. In the first race of the Alpine A310 V6 at the International Rallye du Var Guy Fréquelin sets against 190 teams that were at the start, by. The additional balance of 1976, three appearances at rallies resulted in three victories for Alpine. The Calberson Alpine A310 with Guy Fréquelin snakes competitors like the legendary Lancia Stratos and Porsche with more horsepower ( Calberson is the name of a sponsor, had the Alpine already supported in the 1960s in the prototype category). 1977 thus became the Calberson - Alpine A310 V6 with Guy Fréquelin & Jacques Delaval French Rally Champion. In the same year (1977 ) Jean Ragnotti won with the Alpine A310 V6, the French Rallycross Championship and the Austrian Herbert Grünsteidl won with a largely identical Alpine A310 V6 the FIA European Rallycross. Further victories 1977: Victory for Alpine A310 V6 in the Rally Neige et Glace, at the Ronde de la Giraglia at the Rally d' Armor, the Critérium J. Behra, at the Rallye de Touraine, in the Ronde Limousine, at the Rallye de la Châtaigne, at the Critérium des Cévennes, at the Rallye du Vercors, at the Rallye du Var.
In 1978, the Renault Alpine sports car brand completely. Jean Rédélé resigned as President Directeur General of Alpine and sold his last shares in Renault. These changes led to the have been used since 1978 no more Alpine vehicles in racing. The parent company Renault, which was first presented in 1977 with a factory team in Formula 1, had no interest in continuing the long tradition of Alpine cars in rallying.
Through this internal change ended the athletic career of all Alpine cars, in the case of the Alpine A310 V6 even before they had really begun.
Production
Serial numbers
1971 .... 4 cyl. Carburetor ...... 1600 VE ...................... 001 to 0010 1972 .... 4 cyl. Carburetor ...... 1600 VE .................... 0011 to 0550 1973 .... 4 cyl. Carburetor ...... 1600 VE .................... 0551 to 1200 1974 .... 4 Zyl.injection .......... 1600 VF ................. 21185 to 21750 1975 .... 4 Zyl.injection .......... 1600 VF ................. 21751 to 22016 1976 .... 4 Zyl.injection .......... 1600 VF ................. 22017 to 22137 1976 .... 4 cyl. einf.Verg ..... 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 E0001781 to 1985 .... V6 .......................... 2700 VA 1985 .... V6 GT ..................... 2700 VAA ............... F0000324 F0001874 to
Identification of the country of first delivery
France 100 101 Belgium 102 Italy 103 The Netherlands 120 Germany 123 Switzerland Spain 267 203 Mexico 267 Portugal