At this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, Alpine finally revealed the A290, an exciting five door hot hatch based on the Renault 5 and the first of a new generation of electric vehicles for the brand.

Powering the Alpine A290 is a 52kWh battery that also gives a range of around 236 miles and can charge at 100kWh from 15-80% in about half an hour. Ultimately, the level of output is dependent on the variant you go for, with GT and GT premium producing 178bhp, while GT Performance and GTS models are much more powerful at 215bhp.

These 215bhp GT Performance and GTS models give a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds. As EVs go, the 1,479kg isn’t massive (200kg lighter than a Mini Cooper SE) and helps the A290’s handling and performance. It sits on 19 inch wheels, measuring 3,99m in length, 1,820mm in width, 1,520mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,530mm making it relatively compact.

Four driving modes - Save, Normal, Sport and Personal - are available to choose from and adjust the level of steering assistance, throttle response and Alpine Drive Sound - engine sounds diffused via a custom amplifier and played by the audio system.

Alpine says aerodynamics have been a big consideration when designing the A290 and the electric range overall. The bumper, side skirts, diffuser and rear have been carefully thought out to consider air intake and flow. The brand also says it deliberately didn’t add an oversized spoiler to “disrupt the rear flow”.

Antony Villain, Alpine Design Director
"We conceived the A290 as an ultra-compact variation of the A110, in the purest style of small sports cars or hot hatches. A small Alpine with a character that, at first glance, expresses its potential for driving pleasure to appeal to styling fans and performance enthusiasts alike. The A290 incorporates into a production model the directions from 2023 with the A290_β concept, a true concentrate of Alpine."

Inside the “driver-oriented cockpit” is a sports steering wheel covered in Nappa leather. Several of the buttons are shared with Alpine’s F1 car, RCH for recharge and OV for overtake, while controls for driving aids, phone, voice assist and instrument display mode are also present. There is a 10.1 inch central screen angled towards the driver and the high centre console between the two seats is inspired by the A110.

Sporty seats have been upholstered using environmentally friendly materials and feature arrow shapers A logos on the upper section of the backrest. The dashboard, centre console sides and door panels are padded with a grained coated fabric material while top of the range GT Premium and GTS versions are upholstered in Deep Boue and Eevee Grey Nappa leather.

While pricing is yet to be confirmed, it is expected that the Alpine A290 will start from around £36,000 with first deliveries set to happen in early 2025.

words: Mike Booth

Pictures: Alpine