Despite shorter springs, the ground clearance of the Alpine A290 is similar to that of the Renault 5, since this sporty version receives larger wheels.
Alpine’s future is electric. The brand will only offer battery models from 2026, with the planned end of the career of the thermal A110. The manufacturer’s new range of electric cars, which was announced under the name Dream Garage, now comes to life with the presentation of its first representative.
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And what better than a popular Renault model to serve as the basis for Alpine’s first electric car? After all, the first Alpine to hit the market, the A106 which saw the light of day in 1955, was based on the Renault 4 CV. It is therefore on the basis of the new Renault 5 E-Tech that Alpine developed its A290.
A bodybuilt Renault 5
The features of the Renault model are immediately recognizable, despite the absence of a diamond on the bodywork. However, the Alpine teams delivered a production car actually close to the A290_β concept, with numerous specific parts.
The car exudes sport, particularly with its curved fenders which house tracks widened by 60 mm. These shapes are visually accentuated by a body crease on the sides of the car, called Alpine Swoosh, which should mark the manufacturer’s next productions in different forms, such as sneakers from a certain ready-to-wear brand.
Considered too heavy, the R5’s charge display leaves its place to a purely aesthetic element.
At the front, the four-lens lighting signature is reminiscent of previous productions from the manufacturer, here with a cross pattern, a nod to the tape sometimes used in rallying. The ventilation grille at the bottom of the grille, as well as one of the two 19″ wheel designs offered, are inspired by the shape of snowflakes, recalling the brand’s alpine universe.
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The A290 measures 3.99m long, 1.82m wide and 1.52m high.
The rear is a bit less aggressive, with an imposing diffuser, but without a spoiler which would have seemed excessive. Four body colors are offered at launch, including a new Alpine Vision Blue. For the rest, you will have to choose between black, matte gray and pearl white, with the possibility of opting for a black roof. These three paints are taken from the Renault color chart.
The interior transformation also goes further than what we saw between a Clio and a Clio RS, for example. The Alpine teams had enough latitude to review the layout of the passenger compartment, with a central console different from that of the Renault 5. More enhancing, it integrates gear selection buttons similar to the gearbox control. speeds of the A110, while the R5 has a steering wheel switch.
This steering wheel, in fact, has nothing to do between the two models. The one on the A290 has all the features of a sports car steering wheel, with a flattened surface, midpoint marking and even Formula 1-inspired OV (Overtake) and RCH (Recharge) controls, which we’re focusing on. we will dwell on later.
Only the buttons on the left and right of the steering wheel come from that of the Renault 5.
The seats with blue upholstery are more enveloping and their design is reminiscent of that of the R5 Turbo.
In the GT Premium or GTS version, the A290 uses real Nappa leather, while Renault prefers to replace it with vegan materials.
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Certain materials specific to Alpine enhance the not really flattering presentation quality of the R5, particularly on the front door panels. Unfortunately, this is not the case at the rear, with door trims made entirely of hard plastic.
If the most visible parts are more opulent than on board the R5, the rest of the plastics are still not the most flattering.
The rear space is designed to accommodate older children.
Compared to the R5, the trunk of the Alpine A290 still announces 326 l of loading volume, but in “liters of water”. In VDA value, as it is customary to measure these volumes, the Renault 5 only has 277 l of capacity and it should therefore logically be the same for the A290.
The trunk is not the most spacious.
The interface of the 10.25″ central screen of the Alpine A290 runs under Android Automotive OS, with Google services. It benefits from graphics and a welcome animation specific to this Alpine version. It is On the other hand, the impasse on the voice assistant aided by ChatGPT of the Renault 5, to settle for the already very complete Google Assistant.
Google Maps is used as the default navigation system, incorporating a trip planner.
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A telemetry application allows you to consult a lot of data in real time, to time your laps, but also to obtain driving advice and participate in competitions. challenges. The latter provide a form of gamification and must be carried out on a closed road, recalls a warning pop-up. For example, it could be a matter of making a standing start using the launch control, with depending on the time achieved obtaining a medal which can unlock other challenges.
Telemetry data can be exported to a dedicated mobile app, in addition to the My Alpine companion app.
The 10.1″ instrumentation offers different display styles, with pyramid meters, navigation, a view of driving aids, or even a minimalist view to limit distractions.
The instrumentation is still adorned with an imposing plastic surround.
From 180 to 220 hp
Under its body-built body, the A290 hides an electric motor taken from the Megane E-Tech. Two maps are offered, with 180 hp and 285 Nm, or 220 hp and 300 Nm sent to the front axle. The most powerful version allows you to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and reach 170 km/h at peak. For those hoping for a more powerful two-motor 4×4 version, Alpine explained to us that the A290 platform theoretically allowed such a configuration, but that it was not on the agenda.
The Alpine A290’s engine is shared with the Renault Megane E-Tech.
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The differences between the A290 and the R5 fortunately don’t stop there. Many elements of the chassis have been reworked, such as the multi-link rear axle, intended to be more mobile on this Alpine, the suspensions with hydraulic stops, the anti-roll bars or the aluminum engine cradle. The latter helps to keep the mass of the A290 below 1500 kg, at 1479 kg to be precise. The mass distribution is given as 57/43.
The brakes have also obviously been revised, with four-piston Brembo front calipers derived from those of the A110, while a brake function torque vectoring has been developed. For tires, Alpine has joined forces with Michelin to develop specific references for its model (logic of perfect fit), recognizable by their A29 marking. Michelin Pilot Sport EVs fit the 180 hp version, Michelin Pilot Sport S5s equip the 220 hp version, while Michelin Pilot Alpin 5s are offered as winter tires.
Traction control and ESP can be disconnected, via a button located to the right of the one dedicated to setting the driving aids.
A short press deactivates traction control and a long press deactivates ESP.
Among the other settings left to the driver, it is possible to choose from Save, Normal, Sport and Personal driving modes. The OV button on the steering wheel allows you to benefit from a power boost for a maximum duration of 10 s. This trick requires holding the button down, unlike other similar systems. Finally, energy recovery when lifting the foot, which is adjusted via a dial on the steering wheel, allows you to choose from four settings, including a freewheel mode. It can achieve a maximum deceleration of approximately 0.2 g when lifting the foot and up to approximately 0.3 g when the brake pedal is pressed.
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The legal low speed warning (AVAS) offers two sounds: a discreet one which is satisfied with the minimum required sound level, and a more original and louder one. At the same time, it is also possible to activate an artificial engine sound to give the driver a sense of direction. Two sounds based on the real sound of the electric motor and two sound levels are offered, but everything can be completely deactivated and only broadcast inside the passenger compartment.
Limited performance losses discharged battery
One of the limiting factors of sports electric cars is their loss of performance when the battery temperature increases, or its charge level drops. On this point, Renault guarantees that the exercise from 0 to 100 km/h should not exceed “a few tenths of a second” more when the battery is at 20% charge. For the customer, this drop in performance should be transparent, since it is visible on the dashboard and in the telemetry application, in the event that the temperature of certain elements limits their performance.
The cooling system specific to this Alpine version should therefore make it possible to get the best performance from its electric motor and its 52 kWh NMC li-ion battery, shared with the high-end versions of the R5. Here it announces a range of up to around 380 km, pending final approval, compared to 410 km for the Renault model.
The electric motor and battery of the Alpine A290.
On the charging side, the A290 accepts up to 100 kW in direct current, in order to go from 15 to 80% charge in 30 minutes according to Alpine, or 11 kW in alternating current via its bidirectional on-board charger. It has a heat pump and a thermal preconditioning function for its battery, which is automatically activated when a charging station is entered as the destination.
The Alpine A290’s CCS socket is located on its right front wing.
Prices from €38,000 excluding bonuses
The Alpine A290 range starts with the GT version, equipped with the 180 hp engine and Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires. It is then possible to choose between the Premium and Performance optional packs. The first adds additional comfort equipment, such as a Devialet audio system, while the second revises the technical sheet upwards, with the 220 hp engine and Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires. For those hesitant, the top-of-the-line GTS version combines the best of both worlds.
We do not yet know the details of the prices or the equipment of each version, but Renault announces a starting price for the GT version of around €38,000 excluding bonuses. We will have to wait until July to find out more and until the end of the year to see the A290 arrive in dealerships. It will be produced in Douai, France, alongside the Renault 5 E-Tech.
A First Edition launch version limited to 1,955 units will also be offered, letting customers choose between four different styles, including one echoing the A290_β concept with a sticker pack.
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