Renault Alpine GTA Turbo Review - The French 911!

[@ericmoulaert8406]

I owned two of these back in the late 80's. First a V6GT which production started in 1985 with 160HP (V6 PRV with carburetor). Then a V6 Turbo with 200HP (V6 PRV with Turbo) which production started 1 year later in 1986. It's competitor at that time were the Porsche 944 (160HP), 944 S (190HP) and 944 Turbo (220HP if I well remember). Not so much the 911 which was much more expensive. The Alipme V6 Turbo was really a great car and probably the best car I ever had.

[@althejazzman]

I suppose it's easy to compare this with the 911 because it's rear engined and 6 cylinders, but yes performance wise, the 944 series is a better match. There was a later 944 turbo with 250bhp too.

[@bluegblueg]

Thats my old car. I sold it to the current owner. Its looking great. I really enjoyed it, but it always needed something doing.

[@zeeks4338]

Anyway what wheels is that?

[@bluegblueg]

@@zeeks4338 Azev A

[@zeeks4338]

@@bluegblueg thanks

[@DutchBane]

When i was a kid, a man in my neighbourhood had one. It looked like some kind of spaceship to me.

[@jamiemorris5177]

My neighbour had one of theses brand new on 1986 D plate in silver grey looked so futuristic at the time I loved it Most of people in the street still had cavillers and cortinas

[@rh1300s]

Brilliant review - you have hit this car spot on. I had two and loved them (daily drivers for 18 years), I keep an original A110 1300s and have just taken delivery of a new A110 (daily driver) and still really rate the V6 Turbo (I miss it!). It's truly a brilliant car, quick, planted and very refined for long journeys - but not for the careless as they do bite.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Glad I got it right!

[@andyrbush]

I had one of these in the 90s. It was the ultimate 'bird puller' they would get in if I popped the door open. And fast (by those day's standards) easily indicating 155 mph. Had an awesome amount of fun in it, teasing people in saloons that thought they were fast and leaving them for dust in the corners.

[@greathey1234]

James, please show us more of the car and less of you.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Ordinarily I try but this video was made on a very tight schedule hence the lower number of exterior shots

[@johnnytarponds9292]

Yes! Too much “blah blah” and not enough of the car.

[@jarzhinio]

My dad had one of these. A grey Alpine GTA V6 turbo. It was really quick when the turbo kicked in. 0-6 wasn't that impressive, but from about 30 to 70, it would pin you to your seat. There weren't many cars on the road at the time that were faster than it. It felt really fast because you sit really low I suppose. You could fit 2 children in the back two seats easily, and it was pretty easy to drive too. My mum drove us to school in it sometimes. My Dad crashed it a couple of times though.

[@Jessicorn81]

What a car love the looks of these, made my weekend watching this

[@ryanmccormick2150]

That car is stunning! I love the shape and the colour looks perfect as do the wheels 👍 older cars look way better than new cars, most of the time on modern cars the only difference in the way they look is the badge it's wearing! Cracking video Jay 👍

[@Tigerblue67]

Holy shit I forgot this car existed, I used to have a die cast one when I was a kid

[@atavachron27]

I just bought one! 33k miles and in stunning condition Taking delivery in a couple of weeks......not many videos of these cars around so glad you did this one...it will give me a fix before I get my car!

[@pj9375]

Always looks like a front engined car to me from the profile. Nice alternative to the norm 👍

[@tacfoley4443]

An acquaintance of mine in Northern Ireland happened upon a white non-turbo, but with the lovely leather interior, that had been standing outside a house for over a year - apparently unused in all that time. He plucked up courage to knock on the door hoping to at least get to sit in it. An hour later he'd bought it - for £750 - with only 39K miles. The engine had seized, but a trip to his friendly Volvo breakers had a replacement for not a lot of money. He kept it for about ten years, selling it to a guy from Belgium, where, no doubt, it still lives. I hope so.

[@graemew7001]

As a rule I'm not generally fond of French cars but one or two break that rule and this is one, beautiful design and a nice left field choice to the regular sports car offerings from other manufacturers.

[@TheSkyline35]

Good classic french car ! Really looking forward what the "Modern" Alpine will do in the futur after the amazing new A110

[@HipsterNgariman]

Current A110 is made at the Dieppe factory alongside the Renault RS models, now idk if the factory size would allow more cars in production, that's the thing.

[@TheSkyline35]

@@HipsterNgariman Yeah you are damn right, there is only one site of production right now for the "small sport cars" from Renault. But Dieppe only produced the Clio RS before the A110, and now that the Clio RS is discontinued, there is only 1 car in production right now. I checked the Renault website, in 2018 they produced the Clio alongside the A110 and now only the Alpine is on the line, so they may have space to launch a new line ?

[@HipsterNgariman]

@@TheSkyline35 Dieppe also manufactured the Megane RS (and Trophy) line, but also the Gordini line, and even the RS01 spec racing car.

[@TheSkyline35]

@@HipsterNgariman Yep, but I was talking of their production in 2018, only 2 cars, and currently only the A110

[@Taurim]

@@TheSkyline35 The factory is only producing one car now : the A110 (and the new S version). The new assembly line is taking all the floor space. The Clio 4 RS was discontinued and it's not sure at all a Clio 5 RS will ever exist with the new emissions limits. The Megane 3 RS and 4 RS were built in Spain. Not sure a Megane 5 RS will exist for the same reason. In the past Megane 2 RS, Clio V6 Phase 2 and Spider were built in Alpine's factory.

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

I loved it in the 80s and I love it now. A great looking car👍

[@p.-h.t.d.e2768]

my car for more than 20 years, a red one, i loved owning it !

[@lewis72]

It looks fantastic !! It would have been nice to have seen a walk around of it though.

[@taketimeout2share]

Ok. Thanks for telling me about John Ashley. I am going to give them a call about my Aventime. I will also see if they can work on Matra Murenas. Thanks JM.

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Yay !!!, this made my day. I have a 88 Alpine GTA V6 Turbo. Absolutely superb cars with amazing handling. Ive got the boost turned up just a little on mine. 0.85 bar max standard, and ive got mine up to 1 bar. So maybe 220bhp. Which is plenty for a car that weighs 1100kg !.

[@gruftle]

That one is running circa 265 ish not 250 like jay commented in the video

[@dj_paultuk7052]

And yes you need proper "Driving shoes" for a GTA. The floor mounted pedal box is like an old school rally car. So facts.... The body and floorpan is entirely Enduraflex. Only the central spine and subframes are steel. The car was put together from the renault parts bin. Engine - R25 V6 Turbo. Gearbox UN1 from R30TX. Suspension Renault Traffic /Espace. Steering rack from the Fuego. And so on. Also the FIRST car in the world to have a fully mapped Fuel/Ignition system. The Renault RENIX. Was also in the guiness book of records as the worlds most Aerodynamic car for about 6 year. Beaten i believe by the vauxhal Calibra when that came out.

[@gruftle]

Where are you based mate

[@Taurim]

@@dj_paultuk7052 Suspensions are definitely not Traffic/Espace as it is specific double A-Arm all round ! A lot more refined than 911 of the day ! You are right about the aerodynamic. Cx was best in class in 1985 and drag area (S) is minimal as it is a very low car. Top speed over 250 Kph/155 mph with only 200 HP. Weight is low too. Of course I own a 1986 V6 Turbo since 20 years ;)

[@dj_paultuk7052]

@@Taurim OK sorry, could have sworn the Suspension was from the Espace. Perhaps it was the R20/R30 then, as they were double wishbone. Yes, re the 150mph, they get there unbelievably fast. I have a Saab 9000 Aero with 360bhp, and that cannot keep up with the GTA on the open road. They do get "very light" at that high speed though. Clean underwear needed !.

[@kellypaws]

I don’t give a damn if it’s good. It’s glorious.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Wonderful! And complete with Renault fleet/press fleet plates too. Thanks ever so much indeed for this review, James!

[@gruftle]

We didn't know that, do you have any more info please?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@gruftle, Renault UK's headquarters at the time was in Swindon (as seen in the 1985 James Bond film A View to A Kill), although they used to register their cars in Portsmouth, as it has a direct ferry service to Le Havre, a port on the Normandy coast from where it is easy to drive to their main factory at Billancourt. As James points out in the video, those dealers stocking the Alpine (or just the Renault GTA as it was known in Britain, as they were unable to use the Alpine name at the time) were rare, so unless it was supplied by a local dealer to Portsmouth in the 1980s, it is likely to be a Renault UK press/fleet car. TP is a local number plate code for Portsmouth. Hope that makes sense!

[@arrangrant4614]

Ken Masters (Steven Yardley) used to drive one of these on Howard’s Way back in the eighties

[@AUDIDOIT]

Great review James really enjoyed it. Always been a fan of these machines. My first turbo car was a phase 2 R5 GT turbo and I always aspired to the A110. :-) Keep up the great work mate.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Cheers Damien

[@lucianene7741]

I love the design - clean, sleek and full of French good taste. The rear transparent pillars containing the air intakes for the engine are a show stopper. I can imagine it's a bit tricky to drive with that rear engine, one mistake and it will spin 180.

[@LiamNI]

Like trying to throw a sledgehammer. Lol

[@HMCarReviews]

Very cool car. Seen a few driving around but not very often. Would definitely consider a restored version in a dream garage.

[@mssohanpaul1977]

Cool review, cheers,. Renault 19 16v? Used to have one. Never really mentioned anywhere. Would be nice if you could - underrated. 3 of us had 12 all together. 13 including chamade. Anyway GTA with twin pop up headlights and also the classic Alpine a110. All really nice. Love Renault.

[@elektro3000]

I'd rather DRIVE a Carrera 3.2 but I'd much rather LOOK at this. Absolutely styled like some kind of sci-fi starfighter, I love it!

[@colinmason92]

Great review, i always planned to get one of these back in the late 80's but never did. Toying with one again now but not many left unfortunately.

[@SteveMillersm101]

A very interesting car and lovely from almost every angle.

[@Auto_Funk]

These are like the lovechild of a 911 and a Lotus Esprit , possibly conceived during a French roadtrip in the early 80’s....

[@Devilsgreedybelly]

I put Azev wheels on my corrado in 2005, everyone loved them I nabbed the idea off a Renault alpine I walked past for month's before I bought the vw, always did and still do love the Alpine Proper unicorn in North Wales

[@lesrogers7310]

What a beautiful car. I had forgotten these even existed.

[@alanjoyce1319]

Great vid brothers restoring one at the moment I remember when they came out really nice

[@jamesoades4089]

Nice to see Oldcoats a Blyth in the background, lovely car too.

[@sugarnads]

The prv v6 was NOT a 'projectcar' engine. The Peugeot -Renault-Volvo v6 was sold in the renault 30, peugeot 604 and volvo 264. Later in turbo form it was available in the renault 25gtx turbo with some 255bhp. Alpine-renault just souped it up some. Like they did with the 1300, the 1600 etc.

[@devlad]

Love the old school turbocharged sound

[@BATF4P]

Love classics , they weren't tied down as much with todays regulations when it comes to design which is great for safety today but bad for classic lines.

[@zakelwe]

Love those, they are so different.

[@MrCarrera28]

Sublime car, thanks for posting this great video with your usual inimitable style and panache.

[@DavidSmith-yt7im]

Bell end

[@MrCarrera28]

@@DavidSmith-yt7im Mature response delivered with wit, charm and logic. If you don't like someone's view or comments insult them, because after all the existence of such comments is a personal insult to you that needs to extinguished. I sincerely hope that your sense of self worth has been validated by your comment's sagacity and insight and look forward to your continued feedback and commentary that demonstrates your advanced erudition.

[@marcnobel3938]

My uncle had this car and it had so many problems that he sold it after a few months and bought a used FIAT 131 Abarth Racing Volumetrico in his Holidays in Rimini (Italy).

[@richardclarke376]

Still looks gorgeous!

[@benjaminvolant2469]

Awesome looking lines. Beautiful

[@tradingcardboss]

🔥🔥 Loving the Channel keep up the great work 🔥🔥

[@Michael-4]

Used to love my Atmo. Great cruiser.

[@PADABOUM]

How does it compare to other 80’s car you have driven?

[@gruftle]

you get a 6'3 guy in the back no problems passenger seat goes forward a bit and knees either side of the seat. Only for short journeys though

[@dj_paultuk7052]

My son is 6ft and very slim. He can get in the back, but his knees are in his face.

[@jareknowak8712]

I love this colour. I just love it! I have something similar on my Mitsubishi. This colour was the main reason why i bought it. Not joking.

[@kellypaws]

Wow. They are actually decent value too. A fraction of the cost of a contemporary Porsche, for something that doesn't look, well frankly, common.

[@kellypaws]

@CrystalKen You can say that about literally any older classic car. At least the Douvrin V6 is a standard piece of engineering with very easy parts sourcing. Crucially a fraction of the price of an old 911's mechanics.

[@MajorKlanga]

I always thought these were lhd only; every day's a school day.

[@UKfromadrone]

it is as 80's magnificence as it gets... and it's super rare... i'd love to have one of these...but then, damn london and its ulez extension next year... we will never see any of these cool cars ever again in london...

[@chrisogrady28]

I hope alpine make a new manual lightweight 2+2 like this!

[@sionlow69]

They did..... Didn't they?!?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

No

[@ThePhilGrimm]

Stratos blue: Have you driven a Lancia Stratos or 037? Tickford Capri was famous for turbo lag. I would love to know how that compares. I was doing to say that there aren't any great French cars but the 205T16 certainly was. How many others?

[@neilmurphy845]

I think that interior looks better than the new one

[@dylan3657]

i took the liners out on a V6 turbo in a family saloon one of these engines they were caked with rad weld, couldn't find crank timing mark wasn't were the workshop manual said it was. used the woodruff key for timing copied drawing in manual it worked, throw ya back in the seat when turbo kicks in, sorry i sold it didn't know what i had

[@chrisbaxter5041]

Would love to see a A610 on the channel

[@JayEmmOnCars]

If I can, I will. As you can probably appreciate these are extremely rare cars and coming across one I can review is luck as much as anything else

[@LiamNI]

@@JayEmmOnCars I can probably introduce you to a few owners.

[@brentpowell7889]

Had the same car in the same colour, it was a1992 reg J2 GTA, one of the very last ever made, front end so light had to put a sand bag in the front to give it more stability, but loved it , my brother in law still has one 😬

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Yes the front end was very light, especially when the fuel tank was empty. Still not as bad as the Pontiac Fiero GT would could actually pull a wheliee !.

[@vaughanwarburton9623]

You could get one of those in the 90s for around £3500 in nearly did ------- wish I had

[@sonicstep]

07:15, but it's not standard. You said it has been modified/tuned.

[@jonesjonz1]

Car looks great first time seeing one.

[@darrenporter1850]

My normal complaint with your videos. I couldn't see the car! When it was showed really fast and wierd angles...

[@MylesHSG]

A French equivalent of the Subaru SVX. If I was into French cars I'd love something like this.

[@woodrow_mayes]

The svx in my eyes is more of a cruiser

[@MylesHSG]

@@woodrow_mayes very true. Although I'd say at least half left (in the UK) have had 5 or 6 speed manual transmissions swapped in which totally changes the car.

[@jareknowak8712]

Rear engine + rwd + turbo + manual v.s. Front engine + awd + n/a + auto Yes, basically the same car.

[@1970boggy]

That is a cool car !

[@MH-fb5kr]

i’d have one of these any day… beautiful and fast

[@loicdore39]

Awesome car

[@genetung8590]

One of the most beautiful cars ever.

[@staywhite6332]

Would own right now if I could, no question.

[@bigvee401]

I'm impressed that it can fit a big guy inside

[@LiamNI]

They're pretty roomy up front. The rear, not so much. Source - I have essentially the same car, but with different mods.

[@DinkyDoughnut]

It reminds me of the Vauxhall Royale. A Coupe shape.

[@d4vef81]

Very very local to me, I’m surprised I’ve never seen this kicking around I drive those roads daily!

[@gruftle]

That's because that particular car made a trip up from the Midlands for the video ☺

[@LiamNI]

Around 3:00 - "it would have had just over 200hp" Eh, no, officially 197hp. And the LeMans and the D502 (you're driving a D501) had around 185hp IIRC, cos of the catalytic converter. Source, I own basically the same car (since 2004), '88 Stratos Blue Turbo with black leather, but I also have the original 80s car phone in mine. I also put 17" Azev As on all 4 corners and lowered it by 40mm, full custom stainless exhaust, clear side repeaters, and the LeMans grille.

[@SmellsLikeGASOLINE]

Didn't knew they made them RHD. L'A610 est une belle voiture...

[@Taurim]

This is not and A610 (1991-1195) but a V6 Turbo (1985-1990). This model followed the A310 V6 and the A610 was a kind of V6 Turbo Phase 2.

[@Hali88]

Pretty rare car. I know your channel is about driving, but would be nice if you could show some of the features outside and in with the car static before you show the driving footage, take a look at Harry's Garage to see how it's done.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Ordinarily I would with a rarer car like this but unfortunately on the day we were a bit pressed for time so it was this or nothing. The next video in the series (out Tuesday) gives you more of what you're looking for, hope you enjoy that one

[@Hali88]

@@JayEmmOnCars thanks for the quick reply!

[@gruftle]

@@JayEmmOnCars your welcome to come and see the car again....

[@JayEmmOnCars]

@@gruftle May be worth a revisit and talking about the technology of the car and going over it in a second video

[@sammygirlie345]

Love those

[@scrubplaceholder6216]

30 years old, and still driving good, that is not that weird. My 1993 mitsubishi galant v6 drives super good as well, shifts are solid. Car techniques got really good since the late 80's, early 90's. I even think the mechanical (japanese) cars from the late 90's are the best build cars ever. Just look at the supra, camry, 4G63 mitsubishi engine. Those engines didnt need any oil either. Compare that to a modern volkswagen or renault engine, wich guzzle oil.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

True, but this car can trace its roots directly to the 1970s

[@davidoliver7977]

Would the A310 not be the French 911? from the era.

[@borussa8322]

My ideal custom.

[@danielsolberg1638]

Did u use a 2005 Sony Erisson for the outside shots?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

2016 Panasonic GH5

[@RichieRouge206]

A beautiful car, quirky and character by the bucketload. So much more tome for oldies like this than new crap

[@fatroberto3012]

Fantastic handling cars but I don't suppose the owner would let you test that! Also good survivability when you do crash them, fiberglass body hides a very strong space frame.

[@Buck3366]

Neighbour had one. I thought my series 2 R.S. Turbo was quick until I had a bit of a race with him. Wasn’t having that!!Just as I tuned the car to there about keeping up with his he went and got his tuned . Grrr

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Cannot really tune them unfortunately. It was the worlds first car with a fully mapped fuel/ign ECU. And Renault encrypted the data spread across 2 roms. Only thing you can do is turn the boost up slightly. 0.85bar standard. And can go to 1bar absolute max. The PRV cannot take lots of boost.

[@gruftle]

@@dj_paultuk7052 ecus can be remapped, just ask Lee at Rats, that one is running Bigger turbo, remapped renix ecu, custom exhaust, A610 injectors and some bigger cams, gives 265bhp confirmed on a rolling road

[@dj_paultuk7052]

@@gruftle I havent checked the alpine forum for a while now, but i thought Lee was using an aftermarket ECU system.

[@dlg78]

@@dj_paultuk7052 Renault 25 trumped the gta for having an ecu first, came out in 83, and I doubt that was the first ever.

[@dlg78]

@@gruftle you can do 260 without the need for cams, just need to work on the crucial chargecooling. Which is more important than anything really.

[@s2artfraser]

One of my favourite cars !!

[@Mike-bh2if]

I love this car and I want one.

[@martinboulden3540]

Cool French Masterpiece.

[@eyeswideopen9696]

If its anything like the 21 turbo youll need shares in opec

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Actually they are brilliant on fuel. I was using mine as a daily driver up until 5yrs ago. It was doing between 28 and 30mpg average. They are so light, it pulls off in 3rd easily without struggling.

[@largol33t1]

JayEmm - refers to the Alpine as a French 911... MVS Venturi - Am i a joke to you???

[@MasonFowlkesKenneth]

Does anyone know any reputable shops in the US that support the PRV? Looking to have some service done to mine and give it a good refresh.

[@1983dmd]

Are you close to Quebec,Canada?

[@MasonFowlkesKenneth]

@@1983dmd I’m in the Midwest, but anything is better than my options I have here 😂

[@louisvidalinc2678]

love these

[@Punisher9419]

Very cool.

[@1stMemberEver]

OMG this is supercool 😲

[@1183newman]

wow awesome car :D, any chance of doing that TVR as well?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Watch this space

[@dgvinn]

Gorgeous car , great review - but thats not turbo lag - Anyone got an original Saab 99 Turbo they can lend Jay , now thats turbo lag .

[@chrisdavidson911]

it's not lag, it's a moment to give other cars some hope

[@dj_paultuk7052]

I had a 99T as well, as my GTA. They use the same Garrett T3 Turbo, but in the Alpine configuration they are better. All the old 99T and 900T 8v were all the same. Punch pedal, count to 5 and bamn, off you go.

[@dlg78]

@@dj_paultuk7052 no, not the same t3, Alpine had larger compressor wheel, but the Saab has a far superior turbine housing and external wastegate. Hence the lag.

[@harrisonhunter7512]

Nice cars in the day and still today .Be good to get more shots of the cars styling...more walk around shots and drive by shots.Not just the same old in house shots of your head.Otherwise still dig the channel just would appreciate more of what’s on the rest of the car 👍

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Video was made in a bit more of a rush than usual, hence general lack of exterior stuff

Hearing her V6 engine is music for my ears!

[@LiamNI]

It's an odd-fire (basically a V8 with 2 cylinders lopped off, but the same firing order), so it is pretty distinctive.

[@CharlieDrives]

Ohhh 😱😱 new purchase??

[@CRMXL]

I'm surprised you're reviewing a car that on first sight would give me a hard on. I want this car and I don't care what power plant it has. I'll swap it and attempt to make it reliable. Damn that's a sexy car.👍👍👍

[@gruftle]

Maybe do some research about how reliable these cars actually are before commenting...maybe read some of the other comments on this video

[@CRMXL]

@@gruftle how about I throw a shoe at you. I would still replace the power plant because 400 horsepower in this puppy sounds better to me. I'm complimenting the car not demonizing it ya Mook.

[@gruftle]

Someone is dropping a 400 bhp V8 lump in the back of one, but the UN1 box is only good for circa 300 bhp

[@gruftle]

Throw both shoes please as I need a new pair 😂😂

[@CRMXL]

@@gruftle I was thinking a 4 cylinder, an Audi 5 cylinder, maybe Volvo 5, or even another more modern 6 cylinder. I'm not saying this car is crap it's just that I would want to make sure it is solid and the steering to be as precise as I can get it for cruising purposes. My bad that we both got on the wrong foot of things. 😂😂

[@chrisdavidson911]

including the A610, in my entire life i've seen about 3 of these! what's next, a Venturi?! turbocharged prv... Delorean threw a load of money at doing that, the first place he went to messed around forever and ended up telling him it couldn't be done

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Only 23 Alpine GTA V6 turbos on the road in the UK, and i have 1.

[@dlg78]

@@dj_paultuk7052 Jesus, just stop talking. There are approximately 55 working gta Turbos on the road.

[@LiamNI]

@@dj_paultuk7052 weird that I know of quite a few more, mine being one of them...

[@davidquincaine3048]

superbe! merci!

[@madmatt5661]

Built quality on these is just like a 5 turbo inside nice tho