Alpine A290 officially unveiled with up to 220 hp

We’ve heard a lot about the Alpine dream garage. There will be another A110, which should be good news, there will be a GT SUV, and the third in the stable is this: the A290 hot hatch. It was unveiled to the world at Le Mans on Thursday and will soon go on sale for around £40,000 (prices are expected to start at €38,000 in Europe, although production of right-hand drive models won’t start until early next year), aiming to get some of the magic of the A110 for Alpine’s second production model and its first electric car. While well-known hot hatch brands such as Mini and Abarth make the switch to electric, Alpine hopes to follow suit. And be better

The first thing you notice about the A290, whether at Le Mans or in a showroom or a multi-storey car park (where the preview took place), is how closely it resembles the Beta concept car. Many responses to that revealing story criticized it for being a foretaste of a reality that would never happen; While a few details, like the race car interior and chopped carbon, obviously didn’t make the cut, there’s a very clear connection between the two.

Moreover, the Alpine is much more than just a 5 E-Tech with body kit; The AmpR platform is common, but the tracks are a full 60mm wider than a Renault’s, with arch extensions to accommodate, standard 19-inch wheels fill the arches more convincingly and the Alpine swoosh along the side is definitely reminiscent of the old mid-engined 5 engines. The ‘iconic’ wheels (the square design familiar from the A110 and a tribute to the A310) look great to these eyes; the new ‘Snowflakes’, here on the GTS and in black, not so much. In any case, there is no danger of confusing an A290 with a 5, even if you choose a color that is not the new Alpine Blue (although you probably will, because it is otherwise gray, white or black) . everyone wants blue.)

Perhaps it’s inevitable that there’s a bit more Renault influence. And what we’ve seen from the Alpine-specific driving displays, which adjust via Save, Normal, Sport and Personal modes, isn’t all that exciting. But there are some really clever touches: drive buttons like those on the A110 in the centre, a great set of seats and cool F1-influenced buttons on the steering wheel, with a push-button overtaking boost and three levels of regen power on a switch. The useful things like the Google Automotive operating system have been taken over. There’s a luxurious vibe to it too, with nappa leather – sustainably sourced, of course – on higher-spec models and a Devialet sound system. Without having tried the Cooper SE or 500 yet, it feels like a smart interior.

Four models are offered – a GT or GT Premium with 180 hp/210 lb⋅ft, then a GT Performance and GTS with 220 hp/221 lb⋅ft – all powered by the same 52 kWh battery. Just like the A110, there will be 1,955 Premiere Editions, based on the GTS, with unique color schemes and extra equipment. Although homologation is still awaited, curb weight for all models is currently listed at an encouragingly light 1,479kg. The lower-powered cars will reach 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and reach 100 mph; the 220 hp cars take a second and add 10 km/h.

Energy consumption hasn’t been estimated yet, so we’ll have to wait for an official figure, with a range of ‘up to about 380 km’ (236 miles) for the 180bhp A290s. DC charging is possible up to 100 kW, according to the 5 E-Tech, with 10-80 percent possible in half an hour with all charging stars aligned. The Alpine folks were keen to emphasize that all performance is maintained regardless of state of charge, so having to get home with the last few percent doesn’t mean performance is limited.

The A290 is absolutely as stubby and powerful in terms of size as it is to look at. The Alpine is barely 4 meters long (3,990 mm), but thanks to the wider track, it is 1,820 mm wide without mirrors. The height is 1,520 mm and the wheelbase is 2,520 mm, which provides enough space for five people. The luggage compartment is 326 liters in all models.

But you’re probably not really interested in the trunk space. This is essentially a Renaultsport hot hatch for the electric age, a small, light and fun supermini that uses the engine from a larger Renault (the Megane E-Tech here), as so many Clio engine swaps have enjoyed over the years. It’s the enthusiast-oriented details that will captivate us, and the A290 is packed with them: the 220 hp models get a Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tailor-made for this car, the weight distribution is 57:43 (an engineer promises “finishing a sharp front with a playful and progressive rear”), they are obsessed with the braking feel to make the left pedal feel like that of an A110 (with Brembo calipers on the 220 hp cars), the anti-roll bars are unique and each model gets the hydraulic bump stops that worked such wonders on RS Renaults of old. The engine mounts and front subframe are unique to the A290 and provide a greater sense of belonging. The press release says things like: ‘The low center of gravity limits the A290’s natural body roll, so suspension settings don’t have to go to extremes to control body roll.’ There is much to be encouraged by.

For now, the sound may not be one of them. The A290 will come with Alternative Sound – a “light, sporty sound for everyday use” – as well as Alpine Sound which offers a “unique sound pattern designed to provide immersion in the A290.” While listening to this through speakers in a Parisian parking lot isn’t exactly representative of everyday use, the decision not to create a new sound – instead using the ‘natural harmonies of the electric motor’, with the help of acousticians – the small Alpine with a very clear sound. It might feel more exciting behind the wheel, although in this experience it’s just a loud or soft hum. Of course, EVs do not live or die on audio feedback, but with the arrival of the Ioniq 5 N the bar has been raised. (And while we mention the Hyundai, it should be noted that the Alpine has no artificial gears.)

In any case, there will be distractions due to the lack of interesting sound. Alpine Torque Technology – an “advanced upstream torque management system” – combined with a throttle that focuses on progression rather than switch-like immediacy, promises “greater driving pleasure and performance.” The ATT is smart enough that, in addition to brake bite, it means there’s no need for a conventional limited-slip differential. Its capabilities are put to the test via ‘Challenges’ in the infotainment, which are essentially Gran Turismo licenses for a real car. Serious. It is clear that they are intended for the track, but nothing prevents them from being used somewhere. There are challenges to test braking, pedal percentages, throttle and grip – and you can’t make progress without getting a medal. Which can only end fantastically well.

So there is plenty to encourage by then. Philippe Krief, CEO of Alpine, added: “Our Alpine A290 is the first model of a new electric generation, which heralds our Dream Garage in the best possible way. This urban sports car marks the introduction of Alpine to a wider audience and revives a forgotten category. the hot hatch, so popular because of the driving pleasure it offers.” We will know for sure at the end of this year.