If you think electric cars are boring, the Alpine A290 - Renault 5 - will quickly change that view. The new electric hot hatch brings excitement and power in a compact form for European roads.
European car lovers are waiting for the new one Alpine A290 – Renault 5, which is expected to join the elite segment of electric hot hatchbacks. Rivals as they are Abarth 500e, Volkswagen ID.3 GTX, Cupra Born VZ and MG4 XPower, are already waiting for a challenger. Based on the facelifted Renault 5, the Alpine A290 is the first electric model from the brand that wants to make electric cars fun to drive.
The Renault 5 is an aesthetic success in itself, but Alpine has upgraded it with an aggressive and sporty look. The characteristic quadruple lights with an "X" motif are reminiscent of old rally cars, where tape was used to protect the lights in the event of an accident. The A290 is nearly two inches wider than the base model and features standard 19-inch wheels. The car is 3.99 meters long, 1.82 meters wide and 1.52 meters high, which means that it is slightly longer and lower than the base Renault 5, while also having a 5.8 cm wider track. Despite the electric drive, the car is relatively light, as it weighs 1,478 kilograms.
Like the Abarth 500e, the Alpine A290 is front-wheel drive. While other electric hot hatchbacks send power to the rear or all four wheels, Alpine opts for a single front-mounted engine, available in two variants. The base and GT Premium packages have 174 horsepower, while the GT Performance and GTS versions offer 215 horsepower. With 300 Nm of torque, the A290 reaches 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.
Alpine has ensured better agility by installing special anti-roll bars at the front and rear, while the multi-link rear suspension ensures a comfortable ride. In cooperation with Michelin, they developed three types of tires: Pilot Sport EV for summer, Pilot Sport S5 for wet and dry roads and Pilot Alpin 5 for winter conditions.
Despite the low battery level, the car maintains the same level of power. The A290 is equipped with a 52 kWh battery that allows a range of 380 kilometers. Charging at 100 kW fast DC charging stations takes only 30 minutes to charge from 15 to 80 percent. If you are in a hurry, 15 minutes of charging is enough for 150 kilometers of range.
Safety is ensured by the Brembo brake system with red or blue four-piston calipers borrowed from the A110 model. The Alpine A290 offers four driving modes: Save, Normal, Sport and Perso. The latter allows for individual customization of settings including throttle response, steering assist, artificial engine sound and ambient lighting. Alpine Driving Sound utilizes the high frequencies of the electric motor's sound, creating a unique sound experience.
The interior of the A290 is an upgrade over the Renault 5. The front seats offer better body grip, the steering wheel has a flat bottom, the red OV (“Overtake”) button for maximum performance is located behind the right side of the steering wheel, while the blue RCH (“Recharge”) button allows you to choose the level of regeneration. The D, N and R buttons on the center console, the metal pedals and the foot rest ensure a sporty feel. Digital gauges with a 10.25-inch screen and a 10.1-inch touchscreen display provide advanced graphics and functionality.
Alpine has yet to reveal pricing details, but it is expected to be priced significantly higher than the standard Renault 5, which costs €33,490 ($36,200) in France. Unfortunately, the A290 won't be available in the US until 2026, when the brand plans to enter the US market. Instead, Americans will get an electric replacement for the A110 coupe and convertible, followed by an SUV in 2027 and a sedan in 2028.
The Alpine A290 promises excitement on the road with its combination of performance, technology and design. Although it won't be available in the US, European car enthusiasts will definitely enjoy driving this exciting electric hot hatchback. Price and affordability are still an issue, but given the features and capabilities it packs, the A290 is sure to attract a lot of attention and praise.
