Alpine, the performance brand of the Renault group, has made its debut in the full electric vehicle segment by leveraging the experience gained by its parent company with the Renault “5 E-Tech” to create its first compact sports car with zero emissions. This model is offered in two maximum power ratings of 220 and 180 horsepower equivalent.
More than an original model, it is a sporty reinterpretation of an already electrified icon. For its entry into the full electric market, Alpine opted for a safe route, avoiding the risk of creating entirely new and potentially challenging versions in terms of development. Instead, it has drawn on the know-how that Renault has developed in the electric vehicle segment. The new Alpine “A290” is indeed based on the Renault “5 E-Tech,” sharing the modular “AmpR Small” platform that the French Group reserves for compact battery-powered models.
However, the Alpine technicians have undertaken an evolutionary process that goes beyond mere aesthetic tweaks, such as a “facelift.” They have widened the track, defined specific settings for springs and dampers, and developed a more direct steering system—modifications designed to ensure the sporty and dynamic characteristics that define Alpine models. To this end, the 19-inch wheels are fitted with Michelin tires specifically developed to enhance the performance of a purely electric powertrain, available in two power ratings: 220 horsepower equivalent for the “Gts” and “Gt Performance” versions and 180 horsepower for the “Gt Premium” model.
Regardless of the peak performance figures, the powertrain is powered by a 52-kilowatt-hour battery pack that guarantees an average range of 380 kilometers. DC charging can occur at up to 100 kilowatts, allowing the “A290” battery to go from 15 to 80 percent charge in 30 minutes, recovering up to 150 kilometers of range in just 15 minutes. With AC charging, the onboard 11-kilowatt charger can replenish the battery to 80 percent in one hour and 20 minutes. Additionally, while driving, the push-button “Rch” (Recharge) function allows for the modulation of regenerative braking, changing the driving dynamics such that the higher the regeneration demand, the greater the load transfer to the front axle, causing the car to close curves with the rear.
The “Ov” (Overtake) function, also activated by a button, allows for a power peak for a maximum of ten seconds, after which the available power rating is reduced by 27 horsepower equivalent for the 30 seconds needed before the system can be reused.
The interiors are strikingly similar to those of the Renault “5 E-Tech,” although customized in terms of finishes and seats. They are visually dominated by two screens: a 10.25-inch display for the onboard instrumentation and a central 10.1-inch display oriented toward the driver. This latter choice is influenced by the presence of the Android Automotive operating system, which integrates Google Maps with electric vehicle route planning capabilities, thus advising the best times to stop for recharging the battery pack.
Title: Alpine’s debut in the full electric segment with Alpine “A290”
Translation with ChatGPT