The people at the Alpine brand are finally breathing a sigh of relief, as they no longer have to milk the A110. They now have another one to focus their energies on. It’s called the A290, and in case you forgot, it’s a hotter version of the Renault 5 we saw earlier this year. There’s no word on the pricing yet, but if you’re curious, the Renault 5 starts at €33,490 (before a €4,000 eco bonus) in France.
The A290 makes an honest attempt to look sportier than its Renault sibling with elements such as a sporty front bumper, X-shaped auxiliary lights, 19-inch alloy wheels in two designs, a sporty rear bumper with a diffuser-like insert, and a different taillight and tailgate detailing. On the rear side door, there’s this E-shaped debossing that creates an illusion of an intake, but it’s just a shape.
There will be multiple variants to choose from. The rims of the A290 GT and A290 GT Premium are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres, while the rims of the A290 GT Performance and A290 GTS are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tyres. The front wheels hide Brembo 4-piston monobloc calipers with Alpine branding, borrowed from the A110. The discs measure 320 mm at the front and 288 mm at the rear.
The suspension setup is bespoke to the model, with hydraulic bump stops claimed to offer an excellent level of comfort. The adoption of a multi-link rear suspension is billed as rare in this category.
Let’s move on to the business end of the story then, shall we? As with the Renault 5, the A290 also has a single, front electric motor. In the A290 GT and A290 GT Premium, the output figures are 130 kW (177 metric hp) and 285 Nm (210 lb-ft). The A290 GT Performance and A290 GTS offer 160 kW (217.5 metric hp) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft). These two top-spec models are claimed to sprint from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.4 seconds, with a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph). Kerb weight is claimed to be 1,479 kg (3,261 lbs), which is not exactly lightweight, but I guess it’s okay for an EV.
But no matter which model you choose, the battery pack capacity is gonna be 52 kWh, estimated to offer a WLTP range of up to 380 km (236 mi), but remember, the range depends on the variant you choose. The battery pack is capable of 100 kW DC fast-charging. The car comes with a 11 kW charger that incorporates a bi-directional function that lets you use V2L (vehicle-to-load) functions.
Inside, there are some differences, such as the steering wheel and the centre console with circular DNR buttons, similar to what you’ll find in the A110. Another special thing here is a gaming-inspired red ‘OV’ (overtake) button on the steering wheel, which delivers the maximum power output for a brief moment.
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