With the launch of the A290, Alpine has ushered in a new electric era for the brand. The new entry point for its range, the iconic French sporting brand claims the A290 respects its three pillars: an exhilarating driving experience, lightweight, and French savoir-faire.
On sale now and obviously based on the award-winning Renault 5 E-Tech (our current ‘One to Watch’ winner from the 2024 Business Car Awards), thus sharing its current Car of The Year title. Can this new Alpine A290 deliver as a fleet proposition?
Design and interior
Firstly, like the 5, the A290 looks fantastic. Similar in profile, but thankfully different in its execution – which we’re sure Alpine was aiming for. At the front, the Alpine gets a chunkier front airdam, and those ‘look at me’ driving lights. At the side, the most obvious changes are the wider gloss black painted wheel arches and side skirts, and scalloped rear doors – to look like the original 5 Turbo. At the back, there’s a deeper diffuser, and a small boot spoiler.
Other highlights include the larger wheels, and the choice of personalisation options. Ultimately, we think it’s different enough to the 5 but still retains the ‘want’ factor that goes along with the Renault. It is also a shape that suits bold colours – we thought it suited the test car’s Alpine Vision Blue, with a black roof.
Inside, as you’d expect, it feels like the 5, but is more luxurious to suit its more premium pricing (our range-topping GTS starts at £37,500). Highlights include the distinctive air vents, the embossed Nappa leather trim, the front sports seats, and the two 10in screens for the infotainment and instruments. Plus, the A290 gets the A110 sports car’s button gearchange and proper electric handbrake.
The driving position is excellent, with decent space. The sports seats look like those fitted to the standard 5, but offer more support. Sadly, despite the long 2.54m wheelbase, legroom, like with the Renault, is tight – and the tallest rear passengers might find their heads brushing the textured roof lining. There’s also a distinct lack of stowage in the front of the A290, as there aren’t even any cup holders! Elsewhere, there’s a deep 326-litre boot, although the high loading lip doesn’t help the practicality.
Performance and drive
Underneath, this is the third electric Renault Group car to use the company’s AmpR chassis architecture, optimised for performance – the first being the Renault 5, and the other the all-new Renault 4. Key to this is the underfloor battery, which ensures a low centre of gravity that along with the multi-link rear axle is supposed to equal keen dynamics. However, where the Alpine differs from the 5 are the bespoke anti-roll bars, hydraulic bump stops, and a lighter, aluminium front subframe, which moves the motor to a different position.
The Alpine A290 is offered with two power outputs, one with 178hp, and the range-topper we have here with 217hp, both with a 55kWh battery. The 178hp version has an expected range of up to 236 miles, and the 217hp that we drove has an expected range of up to 226 miles. When it comes to charging, all A290 models benefit from 11kW AC charging as standard, with up to 100kW DC charging.
Alpine launched the car with a track element, and the A290 is seen as a proper EV hot hatch. Yet, on the road, the Alpine’s comfortable and composed ride impresses from the start. It is the complete opposite to the faster, but harsher riding Mini Cooper John Cooper Works. Yet despite the supple ride, there’s real precision to the steering – turn in is particularly impressive – although there is perhaps more body roll than you might expect. Still, it feels light, dynamic, and fun to drive – even if you spend more time at the chargers when you use the available performance.
The Alpine A290 is available in GT, GT Premium, GT Performance, and the range-topping GTS version that we drove priced at £37,500. Not a cheap option when compared to the 5, but then again, the A290 does feel suitably different to the Renault, and we think the real value is further back in the range.
Ultimately, the new Alpine A290 impresses, has real ‘want’ factor, and deserves any future fleet success.
Positive: Looks great, fun to drive, composed ride, premium feel to the interior.
Negative: Tight rear space, high boot loading lip, disappointing interior stowage, interior quality not quite up to the price, efficiency suffers when using the performance.
Standard equipment: 19in alloy wheels, dark tinted rear windows and tailgate, full LED front and rear lights, automatic air conditioning, hands-free keycard with keyless access and start, 10.4in touchscreen with built-in Google Automotive including sat-nav, 10.25in driver display, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless smartphone charger, four USB-C ports, active emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist detection, driver attention alert, adaptive cruise control with speed limiter, reversing camera.
Engines: Electric: 178hp, 217hp
Equipment grades: GT, GT Premium, GT Performance, GTS
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
| Model | Alpine A290 GTS 220 |
| P11D | £37,445 |
| Residual value | 54.27% |
| Depreciation | £17,185 |
| Fuel | £3,554 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | TBC |
| Cost per mile | TBC |
| Range | 226 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (3%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £19/£37 |
| Luggage capacity | 326 litres |
| Battery size/power | 55kWh/217hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
