Alpine unveiled the A310 VISION at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, using a 1970s-inspired coupe to demonstrate the possibilities of its new Alpine Performance Platform (APP). The one-off concept explores unconventional sports-car styling rather than previewing a vehicle headed for production.
Alpine has not specified an engine or electric powertrain, and there is no announced production timetable.
The 1971 A310 Inspired the Concept’s Wide Proportions
The original A310 debuted in 1971, following the Alpine Berlinette. Its four-cylinder version turns 55 this year, while the V6 celebrates its 50th anniversary. Both influenced the concept rather than being templates for the concept.
Alpine’s designers placed an original A310 in their studio, studying its volumes and lines, and producing hand-drawn sketches before developing the new shape. The company wanted to explore how that distinctive design might look if created with more modern designs, materials and means.
The result measures 179 inches (4.55 meters) long and just 46 inches (1.18 meters) tall. Width reaches 80 inches (2.03 meters) at the rear, while the wheelbase measures 96 inches (2.45 meters). Its broad rear end emphasizes the stance without copying the old car’s bodywork.
It Incorporates Pop-Down Headlights and a Split Rear Wing
A-shaped wheels reference the original A310’s solid-metal wheel designs. At the front, Alpine’s designers created special headlights that make what Alpine calls a “pop-down” effect when the car starts. Alpine has not confirmed a production-ready mechanical headlight system. An S-duct runs through the hood as part of the aerodynamic design.
The two-part split rear wing has a transparent look that Alpine says evokes ice and mountains. Alpine says its blade-shaped taillights also help generate downforce. Alpine has yet to publish measurements showing how much downforce these pieces produce.
Alpine Reveals Only a Glimpse of the A310 VISION’s Interior
The interior is deliberately less developed than the exterior since Alpine designed the concept primarily around its exterior. Alpine put in seats with flowing, organic shapes and contrasting areas of bold color. Physical switches borrow their appearance from traditional hi-fi audio equipment rather than touchscreen-heavy modern dashboards.
These are visual ideas to describe the interior that Alpine has shared. Alpine has not announced whether the cabin has displays or what materials it uses. The concept’s main purpose is to explore what a modernized A310 would look like.
APP Could Shape Alpine’s Next Sports Cars
APP is a modular architecture intended to give Alpine’s designers flexibility over vehicle proportions and volumes. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief says it is being developed for different body styles and powertrains, making it more a platform for multiple cars rather than just for one particular coupe.
He said the A310 VISION demonstrates APP’s potential and the close collaboration between designers and engineers. Alpine teased the car on October 6 under the code name PS1, short for Projet Spécial 1, which puts it in a special-projects line separate from Alpine’s volume models and the A110. In 2023, EVXL reported that Alpine planned an electric four-seat A310 built on APP. Alpine’s release for the A310 VISION does not mention that car.
At the same Paris show, Alpine also displayed its A110 Sculpture, which previews the third-generation A110. Unlike the A310 VISION, that project does point toward a future production sports car. Alpine postponed its planned U.S. launch in 2025 over tariffs and weak EV demand, as EVXL reported when the A390 debuted.
There are no A310 VISION horsepower figures, battery specifications, range estimates or acceleration claims to evaluate.
EVXL’s Take
The strongest part of the A310 VISION is how it updates a recognizable silhouette without simply recreating an old car. The split wing and sculpted lighting give Alpine a design direction that could extend beyond this concept.
APP is the most meaningful development for future products. It could allow Alpine to explore different kinds of performance cars, but the A310 VISION itself offers no sign of an electric coupe headed for dealers.
Sources: Alpine, Renault Group
EVXL uses automated tools to support research and source retrieval. All reporting is by Damien Kesteloo, edited by Haye Kesteloo.
