Alpine has sprung a surprise at this week's Paris Motor Show with the A310 Vision. It's a dramatic electric concept that revives one of the French brand’s lesser-known historic names – although, for now at least, it isn’t destined for production.

The A310 Vision – previously known as 'PS1', or Projet Spécial 1 – is a radical design study inspired by both generations of the original A310. It sits in the French car brand's ‘special projects pillar’, which stands apart from the volume production 'Extraordinary Everyday' pillar spearheaded by the A290 hot hatchback and A390 fastback, and the ‘Icons’ pillar led by the Alpine A110.

Like with the revived A110 of 2017-2026, the A310 Vision takes key design elements of the original and reimagines it for the current age. 

The first A310 arrived in 1971 as a softer, more comfortable companion to the focused A110, initially with a four-cylinder engine before a V6 version followed in 1976.

The new concept deliberately combines cues from both. Its lighter upper body references the earlier four-cylinder car, while the darker lower section, with its huge diffuser, aggressive aero treatment and rear wing, takes inspiration from the later V6. 

There are obvious nods to the original A310 at the front, particularly with the sharply tapered nose, but there are also some modern features such as the headlights. When not in use, the lights sit behind a panel that folds up to sit flush with the nose. 

Elsewhere, there are digital mirrors, retro three-spoke wheels, vast rear tyres and some wonderfully sculptural bodywork. Cleverly, it's a very 1970s look but one that doesn't look old-fashioned or contrived. I honestly think it's one of most amazing-looking concept cars I've ever seen. 

Underneath, the concept has been conceived around Alpine’s new electric APP platform – the same advanced architecture being developed for the next A110. I've had a detailed look at APP – click here to find out more.

Alpine has been very clever with APP as it is modular and can be adapted to position the batteries in a very sport-car-friendly manner. Conventional skateboard-style EV platforms put batteries beneath the cabin, which tends to make cars taller. 

Chatting to Alpine’s engineers at a special event to showcase the A310 Vision, they told me that Alpine's solution is to this battery conundrum is to position battery modules in different parts of the structure, including ahead of and around the passenger compartment. This helps lower the car, improve weight distribution and give designers much more freedom. If the A310 Vision ever reached production, it would use a similar approach.

That remains a very big 'if', though. But if it did get the green light, it would be a super-exclusive, low-production car – and crucially for Alpine, a high-margin car. It's Alpine doing what Porsche and Ferrari have done for decades, and a philosophy it found great success with when it built the wild A110 R Ultime.

New 2+2 won't be called A310 

Even though it is a concept car, the arrival of the A310 Vision means the forthcoming 2+2 GT and 2+2 convertible won't wear the A310 name. 

Last year, the French brand revealed its product plans for its future range of electric cars. Utilising the scalable APP platform that will sit underneath the new electric A110, the new 2+2 range will alongside the A110 as a more practical and user-friendly sports car – just like the original A310. 

But Alpine bosses told me at the A310's reveal that they are now looking for another name for the 2+2 models to wear, with the A310 badge being firmly applied this the concept car for now.

Are you as excited about this A310 Vision as I am? We might even start a campaign for Alpine to build it.