Rare Car Archive

Makes › Alpine France › A442 (1977-1978) · Coachbuilt

Alpine
A442 (1977-1978)

Le Mans-winning Renault turbo prototype

Still being researched: identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

Alpine A442 (1977-1978) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Alpine A442 (1977-1978) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Éric Manesse · CC BY-SA 4.0
?ProductionNot yet verified
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
Not yet verified
Years
Not yet verified
Engine
V6, 90° · 1,996 cc / 2.0 LFactory: 1,996 cc
Power
368 kW / 500 PSFactory: 500 PS
Top speed
360 km/hFactory: 360 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The A442 was Renault's mid-engined sports prototype for Le Mans, and the 1978 race was a make-or-break event for the factory. The A442B crewed by Jaussaud and Pironi gave Renault the win.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed Production figure not yet verified.
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

No production figures recorded yet.

History

Renault entered the A442 at Le Mans in 1977 and lost to Porsche, which won after a rule of the time let cars cross the line at walking pace. For 1978 the 24 Hours became Renault's top priority, ahead of its Formula One programme.

Two of the six Renault entries, named for the race A442 B and A443, were wind-tunnel tested and given a perspex screen. The A442B crewed by Jaussaud and Pironi won the 1978 race at an average of 210.188 km/h.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard A442 (1977-1978).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine manufacturerRenault-Gordini-Elf1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutV6, 90°2 Independently researched
Cylinders61 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Displacement 1,996 cc / 2.0 LFactory: 1,996 cc2 Independently researchedRace archive (level C) figure used. The enthusiast page (level D) gives 1997 cm3 ('Cylindrée 1997 cm 3'); the two sources conflict.
Bore 86 mmFactory: 86 mm1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Stroke 57.3 mmFactory: 57.3 mm1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Valvetrain4 valves per cylinder1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Inductionturbocharged2 Independently researched
Power 368 kW / 500 PSFactory: 500 PS1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry. Source unit written as 'ch' (metric horsepower, French usage), kept as written.
Power atNot yet verified
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxNot yet verified
GearsNot yet verified
Driven wheelsrear-wheel drive1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesNot yet verified
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionopen two-seat barquette with rear wing1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Wheelbase 2.466 mFactory: 2.466 m1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Length 4.8 mFactory: 4.8 m1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Width 1.84 mFactory: 1.84 m1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Height 1.3 mFactory: 1.3 m1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Front track 1.444 mFactory: 1.444 m1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Rear track 1.442 mFactory: 1.442 m1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weight 715 kgFactory: 715 kg1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry. The source says only 'Poids'; dry or race weight is not stated, so dry_weight is a placeholder key.

Performance

Maximum speed 360 km/hFactory: 360 km/h1 Independently researchedFrom an enthusiast source (level D) – not yet confirmed by the maker or a registry.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    La Renault-Alpine A442 Level D Passion Nemans (enthusiast history page)
    • Renault-Gordini-Elf, 6 cylindres en V
    • 6 cylindres en V. 4 soupapes
    • Alésage 86 mm
    • Course 57,3 mm
    • Puissance 500 ch
    • moteur central et propulsion Ar
    • Barquette bi-places ouverte
    • Empattement 2,466 m
    • Longueur 4,800
    • Largeur 1,840 m
    • Hauteur 1,30 m
    • 1,444 m. Voie Ar 1,442 m.
    • Voie Ar 1,442 m
    • Poids : 715 kg
    • PERFORMANCES : 360 km/h
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  2. 2
    Alpine A442 - Complete Archive Level C Racing Sports Cars
    • Renault Gordini V6/90° 1996 cc Turbo
    • 1996 cc Turbo
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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