Alpine A290 180 hp

Overview

Alpine's A290 is set to electrify the hot hatch segment! This zesty 180 hp version, based on the cool Renault 5 E-Tech, aims to blend everyday usability with that classic Alpine driving flair. It’s a proper pocket rocket for the modern era, promising thrilling performance without the tailpipe emissions. Positioned as a premium, sporty offering in the small EV space, it’s designed to turn heads and put a grin on your face. New, it’s priced around €38,700 in Europe, making it an exciting proposition for enthusiasts looking to switch to electric.

What's New for 2025?

The Alpine A290 is storming onto the scene for 2025 as an all-new model! This means everything is box-fresh, from its punchy electric powertrain to its aggressively styled bodywork. Based on the Renault 5 E-Tech platform, the A290 brings Alpine's motorsport DNA to the electric hot hatch party for the first time. Expect a bespoke Alpine tune for its chassis and steering, unique interior appointments, and a driving experience crafted to be pure, unadulterated fun. It’s not an update; it’s a brand-new contender ready to shake things up.

Design & Exterior

The A290 180 hp screams hot hatch with its muscular stance, wide tracks, and signature Alpine X-shaped motif in the front lights. It’s compact yet chunky, measuring 3997 mm long, 1823 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1512 mm tall. Unique alloy wheels, likely 19-inch, and sporty aerodynamic elements distinguish it, giving it a properly feisty look. Inspired by rally cars and its A110 sibling, the A290 has an undeniable presence, promising agility just by looking at it. It’s a bold statement in the EV world, manufactured in France.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the A290 180 hp blends sporty Alpine touches with modern tech. Expect figure-hugging sports seats, a driver-focused cockpit with a sporty steering wheel, and quality materials. It seats five, though rear space might be best for shorter trips. For your gear, there's a decent 326-litre boot, expanding to a useful 1106 litres with the rear seats folded; a frunk is not specified for this model. A large central touchscreen and digital driver’s display will handle infotainment, likely with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard for seamless connectivity.

Performance & Driving Experience

This 180 hp A290 is a proper little charger! Its front-wheel-drive setup, powered by a gutsy 130 kW EESM electric motor, delivers a peppy 285 Nm of torque. That means a brisk 0-100 km/h sprint in just 7.4 seconds, perfect for darting through city traffic or enjoying a twisty B-road, with a top speed of 160 km/h. Alpine promises a go-kart-like feel with sharp handling and multiple regenerative braking modes to tailor the driving experience, ensuring it’s as fun as it is efficient on its 400V architecture.

Range, Battery & Charging

The A290 180 hp packs a 52 kWh usable battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of around 323 km – pretty handy for daily duties and some weekend fun. Its efficiency is rated at a solid 6.21 km/kWh. For top-ups, the standard 11 kW AC on-board charger will replenish the battery fully in around 5-6 hours. When you're out and about, it can guzzle electrons at up to 100 kW via its CCS Type 2 port, zapping from 15-80% in about 30 minutes. V2L capability is also anticipated.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While specific Euro NCAP ratings for the A290 are yet to be released, it's built on the Renault 5 E-Tech platform which targets high safety standards. Expect a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems. Standard kit will likely include essentials like autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. Higher trims or optional packs might add features such as adaptive cruise control with stop & go, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system, ensuring you’re well looked after on the road. The current Euro NCAP rating is not yet available.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Alpine is likely to offer a competitive warranty package for the A290. For the vehicle itself, expect something around 3 years/100,000 km, which is fairly standard in Europe. The crucial battery warranty will probably be more generous, typically 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing a certain percentage of its original capacity. As an EV, maintenance should be lower than a petrol hot hatch, with fewer moving parts. Alpine’s connection with Renault bodes well for parts availability and servicing network access across its EU market availability.