Description

The Alpine Renault A310 Rallye was a competition-focused version of the A310, developed to continue Alpine’s dominance in rallying following the legendary success of the A110. While the standard A310 was designed as a more refined and road-friendly sports car, the Rallye variant was stripped down and upgraded to meet the demands of high-performance rally racing.

Initially equipped with the 1.6-liter inline-four engine in early versions, later rally-prepared A310 models featured the more powerful 2.7-liter PRV V6 engine, delivering significantly more horsepower and torque. Depending on the tuning and rally specifications, output ranged from 150 to over 250 horsepower. The engine’s rear-mounted position provided excellent traction, especially on loose surfaces, making it well-suited for rally conditions. A five-speed manual gearbox ensured precise control over power delivery.

To enhance handling and durability, the A310 Rallye received major suspension modifications, including reinforced wishbones, improved shock absorbers, and an upgraded braking system with ventilated disc brakes. These enhancements allowed the car to handle rough rally terrain while maintaining stability at high speeds. Lightweight materials were used extensively to keep weight down, improving acceleration and responsiveness.

Visually, the A310 Rallye retained the distinctive wedge-shaped body of the road-going A310 but featured wider wheel arches to accommodate larger racing tires, additional air intakes for cooling, and prominent auxiliary lights for night stages. The stripped-out interior included a roll cage, racing bucket seats, and minimal instrumentation to focus purely on performance.

While the A310 Rallye never achieved the same level of success as the A110 in rallying, it was an important step in Alpine’s competition history, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to motorsport and its ability to adapt to new challenges. Today, the A310 Rallye remains a rare and sought-after collector’s car, admired for its bold styling, racing pedigree, and thrilling driving experience.