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The Alpine A290: a true Alpine, just electric

The Alpine A290 is not an electric city car with a sport mode, it’s a true Alpine that just happens to run on electricity. Compact in size, but with the stance and reflexes of a hot hatch, and a driving experience clearly inspired by the A110: light-footed, direct, and always ready to take one more corner.

Underneath sits the AmpR Small platform, reworked in full Alpine specification: a wider track, shorter wheelbase, lower centre of gravity, and a battery that doesn’t just provide range but also contributes to the structural rigidity of the chassis. The result is a five-door, five-seat car just under four metres long that feels equally at home in the city and surprisingly serious on a twisty road.

Design: compact, muscular and unmistakably Alpine

In terms of proportions, the A290 delivers exactly what you’d expect from a modern hot hatch: short overhangs, wide shoulders, wheels pushed to the corners, and a roofline that adds just the right amount of tension to the profile. The extra 60 mm of track width gives it a planted stance without making it feel bulky.

The front end is defined by four headlights with an X-shaped signature, a direct reference to Alpine’s rally heritage. As you approach the car with the hands-free key, they perform a short lighting sequence. A small detail, but exactly the kind of “welcome on board” moment that suits this car. The front bumper features a pronounced air intake with a subtle snowflake-inspired structure, guiding airflow while nodding to Alpine’s roots.

Along the side, the wide wheel arches, clean sills with body-coloured inserts, and black framing stand out. At the rear, there’s no oversized spoiler, but rather an integrated ducktail and a functional diffuser that works both visually and aerodynamically. The rear lights are slim and sharply designed, helping manage airflow efficiently. Everything serves two purposes: cutting cleanly through the air and looking like a compact sports car, not a raised EV block.

The 19-inch wheels reinforce that identity. The Iconic wheel references the A310, while the Snowflake design is a modern interpretation of Alpine’s signature motif. Brembo brake calipers with Alpine branding (optionally in Racing Red or Alpine Blue) complete the picture, straight out of the A110 parts catalogue.

Interior: a cockpit feel in a usable five-door

Inside, the A290 is clearly designed around the driver. The dashboard subtly angles towards you, the central screen is positioned perfectly, and all key functions are located on or around the steering wheel. The atmosphere is unmistakably Alpine: deep blue tones, contrasting stitching, attention to detail, and just enough colour accents to underline its sporty character without becoming excessive.

The three-spoke sports steering wheel is trimmed in Nappa leather and features a flat centre section. It feels thick and purposeful, with natural hand placement zones. On the right, you control the driving modes; on the left, the RCH rotary dial adjusts regenerative braking. At the top, the red OV button flashes, activating the Overtake function, a temporary boost that perfectly captures the car’s character: playful, but never gimmicky.

The centre console is high and enclosed, inspired by the A110. The R/N/D controls sit centrally, surrounded by Nappa trim, embossed model branding, and snowflake-inspired textures. The result feels closer to a compact sports coupé than a typical B-segment interior.

The seats complete the experience. They offer strong lateral support while remaining comfortable enough for daily use. Entry-level and GT versions use sustainable materials, including coated fabric made from recycled plastics and hemp fibres, combined with fully recycled blue textiles and contrasting stitching. In GT Premium and GTS trims, the focus shifts to Deep Blue and Eevee Grey Nappa leather, with Alpine logos in the headrests and A290 embroidery in the seatbacks. The leather is tanned using plant-based processes and coffee husks, a great example of combining premium feel with more conscious material choices.

At the same time, the A290 remains practical: five doors, five usable seats, a 326-litre boot, and a compact turning circle. It’s clear Alpine didn’t want to create a hardcore track tool, but rather a car you’ll choose every day, simply because it’s fun to drive.

Chassis & driving dynamics: Alpine DNA, electrified

The A290 sits on a skateboard architecture with the battery integrated into the floor, lowering the centre of gravity and improving weight distribution. The electric motor is mounted compactly on the front axle, keeping the nose short and turn-in sharp.

On top of that, there’s a dedicated aluminium motor subframe developed specifically by Alpine, optimised for motor positioning, filtering and rigidity under dynamic driving.

A multi-link rear axle (rare in this segment) ensures precision at higher speeds and stability in fast corners. This allows engineers to optimise aerodynamics for low drag rather than pure downforce, without compromising stability. Hydraulic bump stops absorb harsh impacts without unsettling the chassis, helping the A290 remain composed even on poor road surfaces.

On the road, it feels unmistakably Alpine: a front end that eagerly turns in, a rear that subtly rotates when you lift off mid-corner, yet never becomes unpredictable. The balance between agility and stability gives both experienced drivers and newcomers immediate confidence.

Power, torque and grip: 180 or 220 hp, always usable

Depending on the version, the front-mounted electric motor delivers either 180 hp or 220 hp, with 300 Nm of torque across the range. The key isn’t just the numbers, but how that power is delivered. Alpine has carefully tuned the throttle response to feel progressive and controllable (reminiscent of the A110) rather than overly aggressive or binary.

The GT and GT Premium focus on smooth, usable performance with 180 hp. The GT Performance and GTS, with 220 hp and a 0–100 km/h time of 6.4 seconds, showcase the platform’s potential without making the car difficult to handle.

Alpine Torque Precontrol manages traction intelligently, regulating torque before stability control needs to intervene. This allows the car to accelerate cleanly without unsettling the steering.

Press the OV button and you unlock temporary maximum power, complete with a countdown and animation in the instrument cluster. Add Launch Control for perfect starts, and it’s clear: the A290 is built for repeatable performance, not just one impressive sprint.

Sound & experience: electric, but not silent

With no combustion engine to define its character, Alpine partnered with Devialet to create two Alpine Drive Sound profiles. Based on the natural harmonics of the electric motor, they’re played through a 615W audio system with nine speakers.

You can choose a subtle everyday sound or a more dynamic soundtrack that enhances the driving experience. Prefer silence? You can switch it off completely. Even the mandatory low-speed AVAS sound carries an Alpine signature.

Digital cockpit & telemetrics

Behind the steering wheel sits a 10.25-inch digital cluster, replacing traditional dials with sharp, geometric graphics. Power and regeneration are displayed on the left, speed on the right, with additional views for performance data, navigation or ADAS information.

The 10.1-inch central display runs Android Automotive with Google built-in. Google Maps with EV route planning comes standard, along with Google Assistant and access to apps via Google Play. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, both wired and wireless.

Alpine Telemetrics adds another layer, offering live data on G-forces, energy recovery and temperatures, as well as coaching tools and gamified challenges. Through the My Alpine app, you can remotely monitor charging, range, location and preconditioning.

Battery, range & charging

Every A290 features a 52 kWh battery and a heat pump. The targeted WLTP range is around 380 km, more than sufficient for mixed daily use.

AC charging is handled by an 11 kW onboard charger, taking around 1 hour 20 minutes from 50 to 80 percent. DC fast charging peaks at 100 kW, allowing a 15 to 80 percent charge in around 30 minutes, or roughly 150 km of range in 15 minutes.

The onboard charger is bidirectional, enabling both V2L (powering external devices) and V2G (feeding energy back to the grid). Google Maps optimises route planning with battery temperature, consumption and elevation, while automatically preconditioning the battery for optimal charging performance.

Versions: from GT to GTS Première Edition

The A290 range is structured around two main trims (GT and GTS) with four configurations.

The GT serves as the entry point, offering 180 hp, 19-inch wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres, heated sports seats in sustainable materials, a Nappa steering wheel and full connectivity with adaptive cruise control and parking assistance.

The GT Premium adds comfort and refinement, including a Nappa interior, Devialet audio, heated steering wheel and wireless charging.

The GT Performance shifts the focus back to driving dynamics, with 220 hp, Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres, red brake calipers and Alpine Telemetrics as standard.

The GTS combines both worlds: 220 hp, the highest specification, Nappa interior, Devialet audio and exclusive black Snowflake wheels.

For those seeking exclusivity, the A290 GTS Première Edition is limited to 1,955 units worldwide, available in four distinct liveries, with additional equipment and a numbered plaque in the centre console.