Alpine revives the 55-year-old A310, but has no plans for production
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Alpine unveiled the A310 Vision at the Paris Motor Show, combining the character of a 1970s sports coupé with modern aerodynamics and futuristic design. Standing just 1.18 metres tall, the concept car marks the 55th anniversary of the original A310 and the 50th anniversary of its V6 version. Unfortunately, the striking coupé remains a design exercise for now, as Alpine has no plans to put it into production.
A new look for a 1970s sports car
The Alpine A310 went on sale in 1971, continuing the legacy of the legendary A110 Berlinette. The sports coupé initially used a four-cylinder engine, but a version with a more muscular appearance and a V6 engine followed in 1976.
The new A310 Vision draws inspiration from both. The car is 4550 mm long, 2030 mm wide at the widest point of its rear section and just 1180 mm tall. Its wheelbase measures 2450 mm.
These proportions give the car an exceptionally low, wide silhouette. By comparison, the current Porsche 911 is approximately 1.30 metres tall, putting the Alpine's roofline around 12 cm lower.
The designers used the original A310 as a direct reference, but avoided copying the historic car exactly.
Concealed headlights and aerodynamics inspired by formula cars
The A310 Vision's body panels are made from aluminium. The black lower section features a design inspired by Formula 1 aerodynamics, complemented by a translucent cabin.
Particularly striking are the headlights, which are revealed when the front section of the body moves. The solution recalls classic concealed headlights, but gives their operating principle a modern interpretation.
An S-shaped air duct runs through the bonnet, channelling airflow through the front end. At the rear is a two-part spoiler with a transparent element in its centre. The blade-shaped tail lights also serve an aerodynamic function, helping to generate downforce.
The wheels feature a triangular pattern that forms Alpine's letter A and references the metal wheels of its historic models.
Visible through the translucent roof are organically shaped seats and physical controls, whose design draws inspiration from high-quality audio equipment.
A new platform gives designers more freedom
The A310 Vision showcases Alpine's new APP, or Alpine Performance Platform, architecture. It allows the development of sports cars with different proportions and body designs while retaining the low centre of gravity and sporting character that are important to the brand.
The manufacturer has not disclosed the concept car's power output, battery capacity, weight or performance figures. It would therefore be premature to describe it as a future electric A310.
The APP platform is nevertheless important to Alpine's future. The same technical architecture provides the basis for developing the next generation of sports cars, including the new A110.
The A310 is now just a memory, but Alpine's future is electric
For Alpine, the A310 Vision marks more than the anniversary of a historic model. The French sports car brand is moving towards fully electric powertrains and must preserve its distinctive identity in the process.
Following the small A290 and the larger A390, the manufacturer is preparing to launch the next-generation A110. In the European sports car market, it will have to compete with electric Porsches and other new-generation sports coupés, among others.
The A310 Vision shows the design freedom that new technology makes possible. However, Alpine has not confirmed that its proportions or individual design elements will appear on future production models.
The A310 Vision's greatest value lies in its skilful interpretation of the brand's heritage. Alpine demonstrates that a sports car for the electric era can retain the character of a classic coupé without its designers simply having to redraw an old model.
