French automaker Alpine stunned audiences today at the 2026 Paris Motor Show with the reveal of the A310 Vision. The concept revives a nameplate first introduced half a century ago, with retro styling that clearly connects it to the original A310 sports car.
The big change is what’s under the skin. The A310 Vision rides on Alpine’s new APP electric vehicle platform, which will also underpin the next-generation A110 sports car currently in development. But it might not be entirely electric.
Retro Design Meets Modern Performance
Alpine A310 Vision ConceptAlpine
The original Alpine A310 arrived in 1971 as a larger, more muscular sports car to complement the smaller A110. The A310 Vision captures that spirit with a low, wide stance, sharply defined surfaces, and flared rear fenders inspired by the later V6 versions of the original. The design is sleek and sexy, with retro-futuristic styling that follows a path similar to Hyundai’s N Vision 74 Concept, and does so just as successfully. Interestingly, the Hyundai is thought to be destined for limited production, and the same could be true for the Alpine, but more on that later.
Getting back to the design, Alpine has given the concept triangular wheels and an aluminum body that resembles stainless steel (DeLorean, anyone?), plus a black lower section inspired by its Formula 1 cars. Up front, a distinctive drop-down effect is employed to reveal the headlights as the car starts up, while at the rear, a split wing and blade-shaped taillights complete the look.
The cabin remains deliberately mysterious, visible through a semi-transparent canopy. Alpine offers glimpses of sculptural seats, bold color-blocked surfaces, and physical controls inspired by high-end hi-fi equipment. Yes, the designers are just piling cool on top of cool now.
At 179.1 inches long, 79.9 inches wide at the rear, and just 46.5 inches tall, the A310 Vision has proportions that deliver an imposing stance. Its overall length and 96.5-inch wheelbase also put it in the same general size class as the Porsche 911, no doubt one of the intended rivals should production happen.
Will Alpine Build The A310 Vision?
Alpine A310 Vision ConceptAlpine
Alpine has previously confirmed plans for a 2+2 sports car for around 2028, based on its new APP platform. While the A310 Vision is also based on the full aluminum platform, it isn’t thought to be a preview of the 2+2 sports car. Instead, the A310 Vision is confirmed by Alpine to be the first member of its new low-volume product line known as Projet Spécial (French for “Special Project”). No production has been confirmed beyond the one concept, but the door is open, the automaker said.
Projet Spécial is to become a third pillar of Alpine’s product strategy alongside its Extraordinary Everyday high-volume line for models like the A290 hot hatch and A390 compact crossover, and its Icons line for historically important models like the A110 sports car. It isn’t clear where the planned 2+2 sports car would fit, but the Icons line is most likely, which would probably mean Alpine would revive another name from its past, possibly A610. The A610 name is relevant here, as the lights on the A310 concept are very much reminiscent of the slits visible when the A610’s pop-ups were closed.
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As for the A310 Vision, there are no performance specs to go on, but something over 500 horsepower is likely. Hypertech Alpine, the skunkworks team previously responsible for Renault’s Formula 1 power units, is developing the APP platform. The team also created the 536-horsepower powertrain for the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, which is believed to have served as the APP’s starting point.
That limited-edition electric hot hatch uses two rear-mounted motors to produce its 536 hp, and Alpine confirmed a similar setup is possible for APP-based cars. Interestingly, Alpine has also confirmed that the APP platform could be modified to run an internal-combustion powertrain, an option that could be utilized for low-volume specials like the production A310 Vision.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters
Even if the A310 Vision never reaches production, it shows Alpine is dreaming up some seriously cool designs, and elements of the concept could find their way into future production models. We love what Alpine has done here and can’t wait to see what’s next.
That said, Alpine, which is part of Renault, had planned to expand into the US as soon as 2027. But those plans have been put on the back burner for now. That makes cool cars like the A310 Vision feel like salt in the wound for American enthusiasts.
