Alpine is quickly going from a one to three model brand. First was the excellent, and sadly soon to die A110 sports car, then it was joined this year by the feisty and Business Car of The Year 2025 winner-based A290. Now we have the Alpine range-topper, the Alpine A390.
It might be a sport fastback rather than a sportscar, but the A110’s influence is obvious in the stretched coupe-like shape of the A390. Highlights include the visor-shaped rear window and compact glazed surfaces, integrated rear door handles, high shoulders and beltline.
Move to the front, and the most distinctive part of the design is the bonnet blade, which pushes air over the bonnet and roof. Then, there’s the distinctive and slim driving lights, with the main units hidden in the large triangular air ducts of the aggressively styled front air dam with its triangular theme.
The triangular theme carries on at the back of the A390, with a thin rear light bar and the Alpine logo lit in the middle. Elsewhere, there’s a thin rear spoiler, and chunky bumper, with a distinctive rear diffuser.
Inside, the switchgear and 12.3 and 12in screens are borrowed from the Scenic and other Renault models. However, the Alpine’s interior is made more special with theNappa Bleu leather, Alcantara roof lining, plus metal and carbon fibre finishes, plus the 13-speaker Devialet sound system is worthy of note. Space in the front is fine, and the optional sports seats developed with Sabelt are comfortable and supportive. Sadly, space in the back is more limited, with only children and small adults likely to be comfortable, due to the lack of head- and legroom thanks to the fastback shape. However, at 532 litres the boot is generous, and a practical shape.
If the interesting exterior and interior design isn’t enough, the Alpine A390 gets even more impressive underneath. Built on the same AMP Medium platform as the Scenic, Alpine have given it a serious workover with wider tracks for stability, and exclusive forged aluminium suspension triangles. Plus, a special aluminium cradle manufactured in France, which houses the two rear motors, a configuration that results in the lower boot floor and maximised load capacity.
Talking of the twin rear motors, the A390 is offered in two versions, the GT that we drove, and the incoming GTS range-topper. Both these Alpines get a front-mounted asynchronous motor at the front and two back-to-back permanent magnet synchronous motors at the back.
All three motors in our GT produce 132hp each, with the front making more torque (239Nm), with both rears producing 212Nm. As a result, the A390 can do proper torque vectoring – its party piece.
This works by overspeeding the rear the outside rear wheel, and braking the inside rear to encourage the A390 to turn in. More clever, is the fact that you can view the live data on the infotainment screen – although we wonder if you need to have the GTS range-topper to make the most of this system?
So far, we’ve driven the GT with 395hp, and a 0-62mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds, which is down on what will be its key rival, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which has up to 609hp, even compared to the most powerful GTS with its 463hp, and 3.9 second 0-62mph acceleration time.
To be honest, the GT felt plenty fast enough on our twisty Spanish test route, being very easy to drive, with the acceleration natural and progressive, and we could feel the torque vectoring working, almost like a limited-slip differential. Giving us more confidence to attack corners, keeping cornering speeds high. The three-spoke multi-function steering is the same as in the smaller A290, and is good to hold, with fixed controls for the driving modes and brake re-gen. The steering is best described as pointy and precise, which you appreciate when you lean on the performance.
There are five driving modes, but we spent most of our time in ‘Normal,’ and ‘Sport. Biggest changes over the ‘Normal’ mode, is the more eager throttle map, and relaxed traction control.
Braking-wise, the feeling is natural and progressive – although we perhaps would have preferred more earlier bite on the pedal. The only other small disappointment are the in-car sounds, which are more spaceship than sports car, and were quickly turned off.
On top of the steering, another A390 highlight is the way the A390 rides. Our test car was on the optional 21in alloy wheels, with special Michelin Pliot Sport rubber, and passive dampers. yet this Alpine impressed us with its generally comfortable and compliant ride. Although big bumps in the road can unsettle it.
Despite the performance, we found the A390 to be reasonably efficient, showing 2.7mpKWh, despite heavy use of the acceleration (Alpine claim 3.3mpkWh). With an official WLTP range of 345 miles. And when it comes to charging, it can be DC fast charged at 190kW, with a 10 – 80% charge possible in 25 minutes.
The Alpine A390, on top of looking great, delivers when it comes to the drive, and feels special. Our only issues, are that for its predicted £60,000 price, there are plenty of other, more premium rivals. Plus, the compromises with rear space, thanks to the fastback design.
8/10
