The GTA name was an internal code name (although it was used as a model name in the British market); in Europe it was sold as the Alpine V6 GT or V6 Turbo.

Like its predecessor, it used the V6 PRV engine in a rear-engined layout, with extensive use of Polyester plastics and fibreglass for the body panels making it lighter and quicker than rivals such as the Porsche 944.

Passenger room increased, making the rear seat more useful, while equipment was much more complete and now included items such as power locks.

[3] It was one of the most aerodynamic cars of its time, and the naturally aspirated version achieved a record 0.28 drag coefficient in its class.

[3] Due to its bigger tires and need for more cooling intakes, the Turbo's drag coefficient was a bit higher: 0.30

[4] In Great Britain, it was sold simply as the Renault GTA,[5] as Sunbeam (and then Chrysler/Talbot) had been using the "Alpine" badge since the 1950s.

[4] This required a significant overhaul of the Alpine plant, leaving only the sandblasting machinery intact.

[6] The PRV engine in the naturally aspirated model was identical to the version used in the Renault 25, a 2849 cc unit producing 120 kW; 160 hp (160 PS).

The central backbone chassis (with outriggers for side impact protection) was built by Heuliez and then transferred to Dieppe.

[7] It was also moved 40 mm (1.6 in) forward (making the rear overhang shorter while nearly all other dimensions increased) compared to the A310, improving somewhat on that car's tailwards weight distribution.

[8] This soon dropped considerably, as the somewhat less than prestigious Renault had a hard time in the sports car marketplace.

With a Cx of 0.28, and an SCx of 0.48, the V6 GT set a record for aerodynamics at the time for a car in this category.

The first model introduced was the naturally aspirated V6 GT (D 500), which entered production in November 1984, although press photos had been released in September 1984.

[15] Sales of the naturally aspirated model were always sluggish, but with the more powerful turbo, things picked up considerably.

[7] At the 1986 Birmingham Show, the right-hand-drive version was presented and UK sales, as the Renault GTA, commenced.

This meant that the Turbo could finally be sold in Switzerland and later in other European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands when they adopted stricter legislation.

The Mille Miles, a limited edition of 100 cars, also featured a special dark red metallic paintjob, polished aluminium wheels, and a large silver-gray triangular stripe with the Alpine "A" across the left side of the front.

[17] In February 1990 the limited edition Le Mans arrived, this car had a more aggressive body kit with polyester wheel arch extensions and a one piece front with smaller headlights.

The regular V6 GT and V6 Turbo ended production during 1990, while the Le Mans version continued to be produced until February 1991.

In response Danielson SA, a famous French tuner, created an upgraded version of the Le Mans with 154 kW (210 PS).

Renault had planned a federalized version of the Alpine V6 Turbo, originally for the 1986 model year, but development proceeded slowly.

[19] The US model had an engine with emissions controls 130 kW; 180 PS (180 hp), bigger bumpers, and flip-up headlamps.

AMC/Renault was planning a mid-1987 introduction, hoping to sell 3,000 Alpines per year (with an additional 300 cars slated for Canada).

With the help of the Danielson SA company, the after-sales service nevertheless develops a simple and inexpensive engine preparation intended to calm discontented Alpine buyers.

In Jeremy Clarkson's 2007 direct to DVD film Supercar Showdown, the production infamously destroyed a particularly rare right-hand-drive example of the A610, by driving it into a concrete K-rail.