1971–1977 Alpine A310 i Specs & Performance

The 1971–1977 Alpine A310 i marked a significant change in direction for Alpine, moving from the compact A110 concept toward a larger, more sophisticated mid-engine sports coupe. Its rear-mounted 1.6-liter inline-four produced around 122 hp and 148 Nm, with a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. The combination of a lightweight construction, low seating position and rear-engine layout gave the A310 a character that was distinctly different from conventional front-engine sports cars of the period.

Its sleek fiberglass body was designed with both style and aerodynamic efficiency in mind, while independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes supported the car's sporting ambitions. With a top speed of around 127 mph and 0–62 mph in approximately 9 seconds, the A310 i offered respectable performance without relying on a large engine. More importantly, it established the A310 as a more mature interpretation of Alpine's lightweight philosophy, combining unusual engineering with a refined grand-touring character. It became the foundation for the later V6-powered versions that would carry the A310 name into the next stage of its development.