Alpine has revealed the new A290 100% electric hot hatch, the electric version of the new Renault 5, which marks a new era for the French brand and is the first of three models that the Dieppe-based company will launch by 2026 as part of its electrification strategy.
The first electric model from Alpine measures 3.99 meters in length, 1.82 meters in width, 1.52 meters in height, and has a wheelbase of 2.53 meters. With a more muscular appearance than the base model, the A290 features wide fenders, refined side skirts with a subtle body-colored edge, an aluminum (or standard anodized blue on specific versions) roof edge, optional French flag on the C-pillar, black shark fin antenna (standard), fender logos (depending on the version), black lacquered body contour and fenders, distinctive line on the rear door, and a diffuser on the rear bumper. The 19-inch alloy wheels are standard and available in two exclusive designs.
Available in four different body colors, including the new Alpine Vision Blue, as well as Deep Black, Iridescent White, and Matte Thunder Grey. At launch, the Premiere Edition versions will be available in four colors (Premiere Edition, Beta, La Bleue, La Grise).
In the interior, the environment refers to the competition universe, with emphasis on the three-spoke steering wheel covered in Nappa leather, aluminum buttons inspired by the Alpine Formula 1 car, a rotary control to set the braking regeneration level, along with sports seats with lateral support, a 10.25″ digital instrument panel, and a 10.1″ infotainment system that allows over-the-air updates and is compatible with various Google applications.
The elevated central console between the two seats is inspired by the iconic design of the A110 and incorporates the “RND” transmission controls. With five seats, the new A290 has a 326-liter capacity trunk.
Equipped with a list of 26 driver assistance systems, the A290 includes driver attention monitoring, automatic emergency braking in reverse, forward and backward detection with emergency lane correction and safe occupant exit. A new My Safety Switch button, located on the left side of the steering wheel, allows the driver to select their ADAS configuration preferences with a single gesture, such as turning ADAS on or off, selecting the intervention level, and the presence of audible alerts. Additionally, an adaptive cruise control system with stop-go function and a lane departure function, to allow the passage of two-wheeled vehicles, for example, are standard features of the A290.
Based on the AmpR Small platform, the A290 comes with an electric motor and two power levels: 180 hp and 285 Nm for the GT and GT Premium versions, and 220 hp and 300 Nm for the GT Performance and GTS variants.
Depending on the chosen version, the throttle response is different, and thus the variants with the 180 hp engine accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4s and are capable of reaching a top speed of 160 km/h.
On the other hand, the top versions accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4s and reach a top speed of 170 km/h, in a model that has a total weight of 1479 kg in the lightest version.
The Alpine A290’s electric motor is powered by a 52 kWh battery, which offers a range of up to 380 km. The A290’s fast charging system, with 100 kW DC, allows it to go from 15% to 80% charge in 30 minutes, or recover up to 150 km WLTP in 15 minutes. At an AC charging point, its onboard 11 kW charger can recharge the vehicle from 50% to 80% in 1 hour and 20 minutes, or provide a range of 70 km WLTP in one hour, or take 3 hours and 20 minutes to recover from 10% to 80% charge. This charger incorporates a bidirectional function that allows for V2L (vehicle-to-load) functions to connect a device through the charging socket.
It is worth noting that the Renault 5’s multi-link rear suspension is used in the A290, but with custom hydraulic stops and added stabilizer bars, which allows for particularly precise adjustment of the wheel position, giving the A290 a top-of-the-line behavior with highly directional front. Additionally, it also contributes to stability at high speeds in curves.
In order to enhance the performance of this hot hatch, Alpine equipped the A290 with 288 mm Brembo discs, and Alpine engineers adjusted the brake pedal to ensure greater control in all conditions. The braking system of the A290 is configured to provide a “natural transition” between regenerative braking at the beginning of the pedal stroke and hydraulic braking.
Alpine has not yet revealed the prices of the new A290, but has announced that the new 100% electric model will be available on the market by the end of 2024.
