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HomeCarsThe sporty bomb that will make the GTIs tremble!

The sporty bomb that will make the GTIs tremble!

Alpine has just lifted the veil on the A290, a sporty electric compact based on the Renault 5. Presented on the sidelines of the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend, this little bomb will mark the start of a new era for the French manufacturer, which promises two other muscular electric models in the near future. With its body-built look and attractive performance, the A290 intends to appeal to driving and style enthusiasts.

Wider and more aggressive than the Renault 5

Despite its city car size, the Alpine A290 displays a significantly more imposing stature than its cousin, the Renault 5. With 60 mm of additional width, inflated fenders housing 19-inch rims and a well-established posture on its four wheels, it exudes sportiness from every pore.

However, the A290 remains a relatively contained five-door compact, with its measurements of:

  • 3,990 mm long
  • 1820mm wide
  • 1,520 mm high
  • 2,530 mm wheelbase
  • Antony Villain, vice president of design at Alpine, highlighted the influence of the thermal Alpine A110 in the design of this newcomer: โ€œWe designed the A290 as an ultra-compact variation of the A110, in the purest style of small sports cars or bombinettes. A small Alpine with character which, at first glance, expresses its potential for driving pleasure to appeal to lovers of style and performance. ยป

    Up to 215 hp and 236 miles of range

    Under its hood, the Alpine A290 has the same 52 kWh battery as the Renault 5, allowing it to travel up to 236 miles (380 km) on a charge. Two power levels are offered:

  • 178 hp for the GT and GT Premium versions
  • 215 hp and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque for GT Performance and GTS variants
  • According to Alpine, the latter can go from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.4 seconds. And thanks to fast charging up to 100 kW on all models, it will be possible to increase the battery from 15 to 80% in around 30 minutes.

    Agility before raw power

    But more than the figures, it is the road behavior which will take precedence on this A290. Alpine says it has worked hard to contain the weight (1,479 kg, a feat for an electric car), while equipping its model with specific suspensions and tires to set it apart from the Renault 5.

    New Brembo brakes are also included, with a pedal adjustment supposed to reproduce the sensations of the A110. Enough to allow nice controlled skids, as the manufacturer suggests: “The objective is for the driver to feel comfortable with the car and for everyone to enjoy driving… The rear axle is sufficiently mobile when getting up of foot in the turns to have fun. ยป

    A high-tech but pragmatic interior

    On board this five-seater, we find two digital screens behind a flat sports steering wheel, as well as physical controls (phew!) for the air conditioning โ€œadjustable without taking your eyes off the roadโ€. The instrumentation measures 10.1 inches, while the multimedia touch screen, running Android Automotive but compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, is slightly larger (10.25 inches).

    In terms of soundscape, no artificial composition, but two augmented sounds to choose from, called Alpine Drive Sound. Based on the tones of the electric motor, they are available in โ€œlight and sporty for everyday useโ€ and โ€œdeliberately very sportyโ€ mode. All served by a 615-watt Devialet audio system with 9 speakers.

    Expected at a price of around โ‚ฌ35,000 to โ‚ฌ40,000, the Alpine A290 will hit our roads by the end of the year. Enough to give the reigning GTIs a cold sweat, who will have to reckon with this electrifying French Touch!

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