When rally aesthetics and electric technology meet city streets – is the A290 the right electric racing car for every day?
Alpine A290 is a fresh, unique model among electric cars, which with its rally aesthetics and dynamic driving invites fans of sports and technology. However high price and some shortcomings in the equipment can leave mixed feelings among buyers who expect a perfect combination of aesthetics and utility.
Technical characteristics and performance
The A290 is available in two engine versions: the base model offers 177 horsepower (130 kW), while the more powerful GTS version achieves 218 horsepower (160 kW). The maximum speed is up to 170 km/h, which also corresponds to driving on the highway, although the main purpose of the vehicle is urban use. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds in the most powerful version is impressive, but remains within the limits of what you would expect in the segment. The ID.3 or Cupra Born have something similar - both are much larger and, of course, cheaper. Therefore, this figure is "perhaps" just very casual and nothing sporty.
Battery, charging and disadvantages
The Alpine A290 is equipped with a 52 kWh battery that provides a range of around 400-450 km, which is sufficient for daily city driving. Charging is enabled with a power of up to 100 kW, which allows charging from 10 % to 80 % in about 30 minutes. That's solid for a city car, but some critics question why 22kW charging isn't available at city charging stations, which could be a huge competitive advantage, as the city car would charge up in the city in just under two hours.
Another frequent criticism is the absence of a front luggage compartment, the so-called "frunka", which would be a convenient solution for this small vehicle. Instead, the storage space is limited to the rear trunk with a volume of 300 liters, which is acceptable in the city class, but can be a limitation for longer drives or trips. Especially if you are not just a couple and want to have a "baby" in the back seats. This car is too small for just such cases.
Rally aesthetics and interior design
The A290 stands out with its visually attractive rally design – wide track, X-shaped headlights (oziorma graphic) and prominent lines give the vehicle a unique identity. Seven color combinations are available, including a two-tone version with a contrasting roof, which allows for adaptation to personal taste. The front fascia with an engraved Alpine logo underlines its premium nature.
The interior of the Alpine A290 is dominated by sporty elements with artificial leather details and personalized lighting. The seats are comfortable, with enough lateral grip for sporty driving, but many are bothered by the presence of a large amount of hard plastic on the doors and dashboard. For a premium car at this price point, some would like more luxury materials for better comfort and visual appeal.
Driving characteristics - can the rally inspiration really come to life?
The Alpine A290, with front-wheel drive, offers excellent handling in the urban environment, where it deftly navigates obstacles and bends. The car is designed with an emphasis on stability and precise handling, but it remains without the option of four-wheel drive, which could make it even more sporty.
In addition, the Alpine A290 includes a special "overtake" button that allows the driver to have 10 seconds of maximum engine power, which brings an additional sporty note for fast overtaking. The vehicle offers three levels of energy recovery, which facilitates handling in traffic and enables almost "one-pedal" driving.
Price and compromises
The price of the Alpine A290 starts at €38,700, while the top-spec model of the GTS is around €44,100, which is a considerable amount for a city car. Limited trunk space and the lack of advanced technology you'd expect from a premium vehicle make it difficult for some to justify this investment. However, we believe that the Apline 290 will not be on our roads very often.
Conclusion - Alpine A290: A premium city car for lovers of rally aesthetics?
The Alpine A290 is undoubtedly an interesting choice for anyone looking for a unique design and driving pleasure, especially in an urban environment. It is a sporty designed electric vehicle that brings a lot of joy on the road. However, the high price, the absence of a 22 kW charging option and a front luggage compartment, as well as the slightly harder interior plastics may deter many. Oziorma is a look at the price of a tiosti car that will convince you to look to the competition for a similar - but bigger car with a bigger battery.
While the A290 isn't perfect, it will be fans of rally aesthetics and refined driving offered an unforgettable experience and luxury usually found in high-end sports cars.
