Alpine has been in existence for some seventy years producing sportscars and racing cars and latterly roadgoing cars. The founder was one Jean Redele who owned a garage in Dieppe and he became well known in motor sport circles with a Renault 4CV. Throughout its history Alpine has had a close relationship with Renault and the giant French carmaker acquired Alpine in 1973. However, in 1995 Renault phased out the Alpine brand to reintroduce it back in to the market with a new version of the A110. Many rally followers here in Ireland may recall that Adrian Boyd competed in the earlier version of the A110.
A new chapter opened for the company in 2024 with their first electric vehicle, a former Car of the Year victor, the A290. Now the second EV has arrived the A390, a car which combines the attributes of a sportscar with that of a hatchback and with such versatility it is going to appeal to a wider customer audience. Three versions of the A390 from launch, each one built around the company’s new optimised electric architecture. The GT with 400PS can go from rest to 100kph (62mph) in 4.8 seconds, while the more powerful GTS produces 470PS and up to 824Nm of torque and takes a mere 3.9 seconds, to reach the same distance. The remaining car in the trio the Premiere Edition is based on the GT and sits between the two as a high-spec celebration limited model which will be produced in very small numbers.
With a high performance 89kWh battery the range can be as much as 555km (345 miles) and on charging performance, with DC charging of up to 190kW this will permit a 15-80 percent charge in under thirty minutes. An 11kW AC bidirectional charger is standard with a 22kW unit available as an option; this is standard on the Premiere Edition model. All three models will feature the unique Active Torque Vectoring system, which delivers the ability to precisely control torque at each wheel. This results in excellent agility, balance and response which will impress many. The engineers benchmarked its behaviour against the much lighter A110, thus ensuring that the driving experience centred on feel rather than software.
Moving to the interior of the A390, you are greeted by a refined and immersive feel cockpit where the focus is clearly on the driver. There are two high definition screens, a 12.3 inch instrument cluster and a twelve inch central display with Alpine specific graphics. There are Google built in services, an EV route planner and over the air updates. There is an excellent choice of materials across the cabin with aluminium Devialet speaker grilles, micro fibre headlining and you have the choice of Alpine Sport or Sabelt bucket seats; this depends of the trim of the model. Yes we can take comfort that there is more to the new A390 than performance, which make no mistake is impressive. However this second EV from Alpine has a dual role as its hatchback styling, already noted makes it a practical form of transport, there is seating for five and a 532 litre boot with an optional double floor.
Ian Lynas