1993 Alpine A610 Turbo

Highlights

• Rare model which is an alluring alternative to a 911

• Comprehensive service history shows it’s been fastidiously maintained

• Long, advisory-free MOT

• Impressive performance from the turbocharged V6

• Recaro seats

• Repainted exterior

• Lovely condition throughout

Overview

Some cars just seem to have it all from the get go. Cool styling that doesn't tarnish with age, a strong, perfectly matched engine, impressive handling and inherently great driving characteristics. The thing is, cars like that are generally exclusively built by the, how shall we say, more prestigious brands. Companies like Porsche, Ferrari and Lotus, for instance, but there is one such car that very much fits that bill, and it was built by Renault. Essentially.

The car in question is the Alpine A610 – a handsome, rear-engined sports coupe with a turbocharged V6 that was produced by Renault subsidiary Alpine between 1991 and 1995. Replacing the outgoing Alpine GTA, the A610 may have appeared similarly sleek but it was pretty much a completely new car, despite looking more like a comprehensive facelift at first glance.

Gone was the GTA's smaller capacity six-cylinder in place of a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 that delivered 250bhp to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. The car's plastic and fibreglass body mounted to a steel backbone chassis helped to keep weight down and the rust away and as such the A610 could hit 60mph from parked in less than six seconds – impressive figures for the time. And it had pop-up headlights.

Revered by the motoring press but somehow missing its mark in terms of sale figures the Alpine A610 only lasted a few years but it left an indelible mark on the grand automotive tapestry. A rare beast nowadays but no less impressive, decent examples are becoming thin on the ground. Examples like this 1993 model, for instance.

Complete with an impressive history, including an up to date service book full of stamps, invoices from new and a long, advisory-free MOT, this particular A610 has clearly been cherished. In excellent condition throughout the car is reportedly running and driving impeccably and has benefited from over £7,000 worth of fully documented chassis and mechanical work as well as a full re-spray, ensuring that the car is now in top condition.

History and documentation

• 1993 model year

• V5C present and correct

• First registered 2 Apr 1993

• In current ownership since 2014

• Original book pack and workshop manual

• Two sets of keys

• Excellent service history with original service book showing inspections at the following intervals: service at 19,601 miles (1994), service at 24,777 miles (1994), service at 29,779 miles (1995), service at 34,670 miles (1995), service at 44,324 miles (1995), service at 48,156 miles (1996), service at 54,707 miles (1996), service at 60,854 miles (1996), service at 66,014 miles (1996), service at 75,230 miles (1997), service at 78,401 miles (1997), service at 85,219 miles (1998), service at 90,081 miles (1999), service at 96,700 miles (1999), service at 101,142 miles (2000), service at 108,300 miles (2001), service at 114,030 miles (2007), service at 120,200 miles (2008), service at 126,379 miles (2009), service at 132,707 miles (2010), service at 139,001 miles (2011), service at 144,480 miles (2012), new instrument panel fitted at 150,998 miles due a non working rev counter, service at 1,402 miles (2025 – specialist)

• Many invoices for servicing and maintenance dating back to when the car was new

• 22 MOT certificates including the current one

• Photographic record of chassis repairs and respray will be passed on to the new owner on a USB stick

• The seller advises that the car has always been garaged during his tenure

• HPI clear

• Advisory-free MOT until 28/06/2026

• 1,614 indicated miles (note new instrument panel fitted at 150,998 miles) so total mileage is around 152,600

Interior

• The interior is in great condition with only light wear and tear in places commensurate with the car's age and mileage, including some scratches to the centre console and steering wheel

• Recaro bucket seats in top condition

• Plaque on the dashboard confirming that the

• Interior trim matched to the replacement seats

• The vendor reports that the trip computer and all instruments work (apart from the rear heated screen) and that the air conditioning is fully functional

• The remote locking is also inoperative but the doors lock with the ignition key

• A new instrument panel was fitted at 150,998 miles

• Door cards and headlining are in great shape

• The dashboard remains free from any major damage

• All carpets appear to be clean and dry

• Alpine stereo head unit

• Space saver spare wheel included

• The engine bay looks clean and presents well but some ancillaries are beginning to show their age in places

Exterior

• Fully resprayed in 2008 with full photographic record

• The car's paintwork looks to be in excellent condition with just the usual age-related paint chips to the bonnet to note as well as some touch-up work to the edge of the nearside wing mirror

• Bodywork looks to be free from damage with the vendor informing us that the only previous issue was to the offside front wheel arch which was professionally repaired

• All panel gaps are uniform

• No issues with any of the glasswork

• We understand the pop-up headlights to be fully functional

• The original 16” five-spoke alloy wheels are in excellent condition and carry no signs of any damage or kerbing although there are a few very light marks to note

• The vendor tells us that all four Toyo Proxes tyres are in good condition

• No evidence of any major corrosion

• The vendor informs us that the underneath is in good condition

Mechanical

• 250bhp, 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• 0-60mph in 5.7s

• 165mph top speed

• Stainless steel exhaust

• Last service on 7 Jun 2025 by marque specialists Alpine Autos

• The vendor informs us that the car starts first time and stops straight, there are no known issues with the engine, gearbox or steering

Summary

The Alpine A610 didn't sell all that well in period (we were clearly all clueless back then) but today it presents as a quirky yet handsome and eminently capable sports car that has all the right ingredients to make for an incredibly enjoyable grand tourer with excellent performance credentials.

More affordable and arguably a more alluring alternative to the Porsche 911, not to mention far rarer, these cars are now rightly getting the recognition they deserve, with this particular example being an excellent representation of the marque. And who doesn't like pop-up headlights?

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Canterbury, Kent.