Alpine A390 electric SUV has three motors, gobs of power

NZ Autocar

3 days ago

Alpine's first electric SUV we previewed earlier this year, and now the A390 has disrobed in all its glory.
Hardly the shy and retiring type, the Alpine A390 is a Porsche Macan competitor. It features a 'Sport Fastback' look, three motors, active torque vectoring and up to 346kW. Alpine says it will have similar dynamics to its lightweight sports car, the A110. And it will have the speed of an A110R.
This has plenty of traits first expressed in the concept vehicle, including a full-width light bar and slim DRLs. Air openings are less obvious than before while styling is classically attractive.
Up front is a black badge while headlights are part of the bumper. Alloy wheels and sill cladding are like those of the concept car. Front door handles are flush while those at the rear are within the C pillar. Behind the tailgate is a 532L boot, similar to Macan's. In profile the A390 has a fastback roofline.
It rides on the AmpR Medium platform shared with Scenic and Ariya. The A390 measures up at 4615mm long, 1885mm wide and 1532mm tall, similar but smaller all round than Macan. Other rivals include Cupra Tavascan, Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6.
All models feature an 89kWh battery good for up to 546km of range. DC fast charging up to 190kW is possible, meaning a 15-80 per cent top up in less than 25min. Up to 22kW of AC charging is possible.
GT and GTS models have 295kW/650Nm and 346kW/808Nm, respectively. Claimed 0-100 times are 4.8sec and 3.9sec, outsprinting a Macan 4S. A dual-motor version may arrive later.
Alpine says the A390 is a 'true five-seater sports car', albeit one that weighs in at over 2.1 tonnes. One of the five drive modes is a Track setting dedicated to dynamics (stability systems in the background only). With 'Alpine Drive Sound' engaged there are two distinct soundtracks, neither of which attempts to replicate ICE power. There are no fake gear changes either.
Helping with the drive is a 49:51 front:rear weight distribution, and a low centre of gravity afforded by the low mounted battery pack. Suspension is a passive system while there are performance brakes. Four-wheel steering was ruled out to enhance driver focus.
Inside, the A390 features a Scenic-inspired dashboard design, with twin screens angled towards the driver. There's also Google-based infotainment, and data showing lateral and longitudinal G-forces.
A hexagonal F1 steering wheel gets an OVR overtake button and adjustable regenerative braking dial. Sabelt bucket seats covered in Nappa leather will be standard on the GTS.
Prices are expected to start at around $NZ135,000 in models with three motors and active torque vectoring. First deliveries are expected in Q2 of 2026.
he A390 is another of seven new EVs that Alpine is hoping to launch by 2030. A290 launched recently. Two more SUVs are due in 2027 and 2028, the largest of which should rival the Porsche Cayenne. Also on the way is the next iteration of the Alpine A110 sports car, which will be followed by a roadster version and a Taycan-teasing four-seat sports coupé (A310).
The latter and the new A110 will evidently use in-wheel motor technology and an aluminium platform for significant weight reduction (less than ICE power designs). Design chief, Laurens van den Acker said: 'With a motor in the wheels, you have more room for either luggage or footwells or for sliding your seat backwards or forwards.'
n-wheel motors for Renault/Alpine will debut in the R5 Turbo due next year. It evidently boasts almost 5000Nm of torque from its dual in-wheel rear motors. No production car yet has in-wheel motor tech but Protean and Yasa are both developing systems for sale.