Alpine A290 electric hot hatch revealed

Alpine (a brand in the Renault group) has joined the electric era with its new A290 revealed yesterday. As would be expected of a car with the DNA of the 69-year old brand, the hot hatch promises two things: : performance and agility. It inaugurates Alpine’s 100% electric Dream Garage, which a GT C-Crossover and new A110 will later join.

Though based on the new Renault 5 and using the group’s Ampere-derived electric platform (AmpR), the A290 has technical differences and has been styled by Alpine’s own design team. It has a more muscular purposeful look, commensurate with the performance it delivers.

The front end has a unique lighting signature, recognisable from afar and comprising 4 headlamps, as on all Alpine models. In this case, they feature X-shaped motifs reminiscent of rallycars where the tape was used on the headlamps. They automatically display a welcome animation when the hands-free card is detected as the owner approaches.

Other elements that contribute to the bold expression include the wide wings; side skirts incorporating a subtle body-coloured edging that refines them; aluminium roof edge (or anodised blue as standard on specific versions); optional French flag on the C-pillar; black lacquered body surround and wings; the distinctive line animating the rear door and, finally, the diffuser on the rear bumper. At the front, Alpine is spelt out, and a typical snowflake motif is integrated into the exclusive sports bumper.

Aerodynamic performance was always considered during the design process, which is particularly important when maximising electric range. Pursuing maximum efficiency has shaped the air intake in the bumper to create a beneficial airflow, as well as the wide side skirts, the diffuser, the vanes and the shape of the rear lights. The A290 does not incorporate an oversized spoiler that would have disrupted the rear flow, but rather a ducktail at the tailgate to underline its sportiness.

The cockpit of the 5-door hatchback focuses on sport in an exclusive ambience, typical of the Alpine world. The seats, a fundamental component of any sports car, are meticulously designed. They offer side reinforcement for extra support without compromising on everyday comfort.

There’s an exclusive 3-spoke sports steering wheel, with a flattened mid-point, covered in Nappa leather. Highly sculpted and modern, it is designed with accentuated piping to underline its sporty character and a wide steering wheel hoop for better grip.

It includes several specific aluminium buttons inspired by the world of Formula 1 racing, with the RCH (for Recharge) rotary knob on the left, to set the regeneration level, the various driving modes on the right, and the immediately recognisable red OV (for Overtake) button above.

The AmpR platform optimises weight distribution (less weight on the front axle) and lowers the centre of gravity. The battery contributes to the car’s rigidity, and its positioning maximises interior space. The skateboard-style architecture and smaller engine mean that the front end is compact, while the wide tracks enhance stability and allow for the use of larger tyres.

The A290’s powertrain engine has two power levels: 180 bhp in the base version and the GT Premium, and 220 bhp in the GT Performance and GTS. In both cases, the response is calibrated to make the A290 a genuine sportscar that is easy to control despite its electric motor’s high levels of power and torque generation. Depending on the driving mode selected, the response range will shift, but it will remain in line with the same principle of progressiveness, which ultimately leads to greater driving pleasure and performance.

The very substantial instant torque of the electric motor (300 Nm) has to be controlled to optimise traction. That’s why the A290’s development engineers have developed a sophisticated upstream torque management system, Alpine Torque Technology, which makes it possible to finely adjust the delivery of optimum torque, in addition to the action on the brakes to maximise traction.

The A290’s performance is said to be engineered to be easily repeated, with no power loss even when battery capacity drops. Its top versions are claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, putting it at the top of its category.

An Overtake function controlled from the steering wheel by a red button delivers extra power for the time it is pressed, up to a maximum of 10 seconds. A recharge time of 30 seconds is required before it can be fully used again. However, after 15 seconds, activating the boost for 5 seconds is also possible.

When the extra energy is released, the instrument screen displays an animation symbolising speed and a display of the time remaining, while a dynamic animation appears on the central Alpine Telemetrics screen. This function, taken directly from motorsport and the gaming world, has been patented.

Regeneration power can be adjusted from the steering wheel in 4 levels. The first level leaves the car in complete freewheel mode, without the resistance that can annoy some drivers. Level 1 corresponds to engine braking similar to that found in the A110, and levels 2 and 3 progressively increase the level of regenerative braking, allowing the driver to choose the regeneration mode best suited to their driving style or driving conditions.

The battery has a capacity of 52 kWh and the charging system comes with an 11 kW on-board charger. Recharging with DC fast-chargers can be done at up to 100 kW, which will take up to 30 minutes from 15% to 80%. A range of 380 kms is claimed.

In the absence of natural engine noise in an electric car, the creation of a sound feedback system to accompany driving and provide direct information on the stress on the powertrain helps to enhance sensations and improve the driving experience.

For this, Alpine’s teams worked with acousticians and musicians to create 2 Alpine Drive Sound tones with different frequencies and intensities based on sounds generated by the motor. They are diffused via the Devialet audio system and to ensure authenticity, Alpine has developed the sound based on the natural harmonics of its electric motor.

The A290 should begin arriving in showrooms in Europe early next year, and the price is expected to start from 42,750 euros (about RM216,000).