Every now and again, a car shows up on our shores that is rare practically everywhere, but especially so in our fair country. This 1988 Alpine Renault 2.5 GTA Turbo is such a car, as it was produced in limited quantities overseas and never officially imported. The model traces its heritage back to the Alpine brand, Renault’s own performance shop based in-house and responsible for producing iconic (and weird) cars like the A110. The 2.5 GTA shown here on the Sodo Moto website features a turbocharged “PRV” V6 that gave it compelling performance in the late 80s, certainly enough to make would-be buyers of a Porsche 944 think twice.
The looks are very French, and while undoubtedly unusual, the car is also quite striking in many ways. The glass essentially extends all the way down the side of the car, making for an impressive canopy that culminates in full-blown access to the engine compartment, which is located behind the cockpit. The GTA features fiberglass construction which certainly contributed to its low curb weight, and clocked in at a very reasonable 2,600 pounds. With the combination of the more powerful turbocharged V6 and relatively modest heft, the Alpine could reach 60 in under 7 seconds and go head-to-head with the pricier 944.
The interior is about as Euro-funky as it gets, with a wild three-spoke steering wheel, deeply contoured bucket seats, analog gauges, and a turbo boost gauge at the top of the cluster. One of my favorite features is how the shifter boot droops over the side of the console, which is likely more a result of running out of room to mount the boot frame than any sort of intentional design exercise. The hardest part about owning a car like this is knowing how difficult it will be to replace broken trim or to other NLA bits that are likely near impossible to find in France, let alone stateside.
Now, the PRV is an interesting engine. It was actually used in a few different applications that we’re familiar with here, most notably in the DeLorean and also in the Peugeot 505. In the former’s case, the experience with the DMC-12 may have been entirely different had we experienced that car in turbocharged form; in the case of the latter, I had the naturally-aspirated engine in my short-lived dalliance with a 505 wagon that had the PRV V6 swapped in. Regardless, the engine is likely the easiest part of this whole kit to keep on the road, but I’m sure you will get to know the various Facebook groups and obscure web forums where fans of this obscure French sports car congregate.
That is very cool. Rear engine rear wheel drive. And quite classy. Not sure though if I like the original steering wheel or the Sparco. Both look about the same and as far as I’m concerned neither fit the interior. But that’s definitely a nice car. Although it does have a very distant resemblance to the 89/92 fox body mustang from the outside squinting with one eye closed without my glasses. Waka waka
Back in the day…
Worked for Peugeot and had a 604 [V-6] that had burned out a starter, so a local garage replaced the starter, but the car would not run.
Car was towed to dealer, and car tried to run but just couldn’t do it.
When I looked at, I had tech crank it over.
Cranked, but just didn’t look right.
Finally the light bulb went off, [or on]
Engine was spinning backwards from new starter.
Kept trying to run, but that reverse rotation was killing it.
I just learned it is pronounced “al-PEEN” Always thought it was pronounced like the air freshener.
En Francais, seulment…
If you’re out of earshot, air freshener pronunciation’s fine!
I think that I might have a brochure for these in a cupboard somewhere.
sort of like ADI, das not_ a DI das lol- have to love the French sometimes.
Tho’ Adidas is German, and the pronunciation has more to do with it being a namesake of the founder, Adi Dassler.
A 2.7L version of that engine (no turbo) was in my ’78 Volvo 265GL. I got it at 80K miles and managed ~250K hard teenager miles out of it. Change the oil and it’s a great motor, esp with a Turbo
Something I’ve only ever seen in a magazine. Great looking car. French cars in the 70s forward are like US cars from the 50s forward, anything was possible. This allowed for some creative styling as we have here. Is this the same engine that found its way into the Eagle Premiere?
Yep, the PRV V6 was an optional upgrade in the Renault/Eagle Premier, among many other models from Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo (hence the PRV moniker).
Beautiful car, but let’s face it, it’s EuroTRASH. Despite excellent marketing it is HORRIBLE engineering and very “Quirky” to put it mildly. Maybe great cars when they are under warranty, but horrid owner experiences when they get a few years/miles under them. As the owner of an auto repair shop I will NOT deal with the clientele that want to own/own these vintage EuroTRASH buggies. There is not enough money to make it worth the whining about the price, the delay in getting parts, how the cars are in the shop more than in their owners’ garages, etc. Oh, and the abject unreliability of this engine was one of the things that doomed the DeLorean as a car.
That said, this car has beautiful lines IMO
Gees, a bit harsh, “Euro Trash”?
Rare European cars are worth collecting.
I bet you wouldn’t say no to a Lancia Stratos???? Or CSI 6 anything?????
Nor would I.
I worked in automotive repair for nearly 40 years, I have came to the conclusion all cars are trash Euro or otherwise..
I LOVE these cars! First learned about the on Wheeler Dealers!
This car is at a nice price, in France the same will cost today about 60000$.
You can find GTA turbo for 30000€ on “le bon coin” in France not 60000$
Ah, Renault! And the French! As the guy at the Hertz rental agency said to me, in Amsterdam, I had signed up for a VW GTI, “This Renault is all we have, the French, they make beautiful cars, but they are no mechanics, hey?” Drove it for two weeks, had very few K on it, driver’s door hinges came loose, door never fell off, but could not be closed completely. Otherwise it ran well, Hertz also told me to check the oil on every fill-up since “it might leak or burn oil”. This is a beautiful car, inside and out, but a toy, not a driver if you have to rely on it. But then, again, so is my ’93 Allante.
Some other interesting stuff on that website.
Unbelievable, a French car that actually looks good?
An entertaining drive, but you would not want to replace the rust prone frame. The fibreglass body is bonded to it. Separating them is a nightmare.
Reminds me of the Subaru SVX.
Another one of those cars I think are really cool,but
would never want to own.
Duncan Imports in Christiansburg,VA has one that’s
for sale.They’ve had it for a while now.
http://www.duncanimports.com
Interesting car, good looking. What is an infotainment screen doing in a 1988 vehicle though? I know Buick tried it in the Reatta but this makes me wonder if it’s aftermarket.
I bet it’s a cinch to get parts for it.