Alpine made headlines in early 2021 with their announcement to transform into a fully electric brand. They unveiled their ambitious “Dream Garage” project, featuring three distinct cars: a compact hatchback designed for individual use, a crossover suitable for a group, and a sports car perfect for weekend adventures. While the electric GT X-Over crossover has already been spotted in test mule form, the first vehicle to be revealed will be the hot hatch. However, it won’t be the production version; instead, it will be a concept called A290_β (A290 “beta”).
The global premiere is scheduled for May 9, preceding a market release anticipated around 2025. Following Alpine’s naming tradition, the model’s moniker will begin with an “A” followed by three digits. The initial digit will denote the vehicle’s size, while the subsequent two digits will indicate its type. In this case, “90” signifies a “multi-purpose” vehicle, and “100” will be reserved for sports cars.
Regarding the use of “β” in the concept’s name, it symbolizes beta software, indicating that it’s not the final product and will only be employed during the testing phase. Consequently, the Greek letter will be omitted in the production model, which will simply be called the A290. Alpine has yet to disclose specific technical details about the electric hot hatch, but more information is expected to be revealed during the debut event taking place in the UK.
The A290 Beta will not be the Renault Group’s first attempt at an electric hot hatch concept. It follows in the footsteps of the 2017 Zoe E-Sport, boasting a formidable 460 horsepower, and the 2022 R5 Turbo 3E, with an output of 375 hp. However, the Alpine EV is not expected to be as extreme. Reports suggest that it might borrow the electric motor from the Megane E-Tech Electric, indicating a power output of approximately 215 hp (160 kW) and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque.
Renault, the parent company of Alpine, has already announced that the rebirthed Renault 5, arriving in 2024, will feature a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension. This signifies that even the version carrying the Renault logo aims to deliver exceptional handling characteristics. Both the Alpine and Renault variants will be built on the CMF-B EV platform, utilizing up to 70 percent of parts derived from the CMF-B-based Clio. The battery will consist of four large modules arranged in a single layer, reducing weight by 15 kilograms (33 pounds) compared to the Zoe and its 12-module pack.
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that Volkswagen intends to beat Alpine to the punch by launching the ID.3 GTX before 2025.
