Performance Review: Alpine A310 2.7 V6 - [1976]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alpine A310 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alpine A310 2.7 V6 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1976. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400S.This particular Alpine A310 has a 2664cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The A310 shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the A310's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1016 kgs (2239 lbs) this makes the Alpine A310 2.7 V6 in the same weight category as the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Alpine A310 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2664cc 12V V6 engine produces 148 bhp (110 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 150 lb-ft (203.3 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Alpine A310 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (170.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alpine A310.

The Alpine A310 has a Power to weight ratio of 145.6 bhp per ton and 147.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1976 A310 competing with the 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (170.4 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo (170.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Alpine A310 generating around 147.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2004 Maserati Quattroporte 4.2 V8 (172.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo UK - Classic (172.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Alpine A310 2.7 V6 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Alpine A310 2.7 V6 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the A310 and the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250

When talking about the performance of the Alpine A310 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.65 secs @ 87.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs), the 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop (15.57 secs), and the 2002 Renault Megane 2.0 T Renaultsport Trophy 225 (15.58 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1976 version of the Alpine A310 2.7 V6 has a maximum speed of 137mph.

Top Speed of the 1976 A310 equals the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1976 Alpine A310 2.7 V6 then how about the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (148 mph), the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (148 mph), or the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Clubman (148 mph).

Related Links:

1976 A310 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alpine

Car Comparison