French sports car maker Alpine unveils its first electric SUV

Daily Mail​

6 days ago

If you dare to be a little different, then the new electric SUV from French performance car-maker Alpine may be just 'le job' for you. The new Tesla-rivalling Alpine A390 was launched with fanfare today at the company's headquarters in the coastal town of Dieppe and is described by bosses as 'a racing car in a suit' promising 'an extraordinary driving experience'. Two versions of the four-door 'fastback' coupe will be available from the performance-subsidiary of Renault.
The standard 400hp A390 GT accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 4.8 seconds up to a top speed of 124mph with a range of up to 344 miles. However, a more potent 470hp GTS will hit 62mph in a scintillating 3.9 seconds - quicker than a Porsche Macan EV by 0.1 seconds - and onto a top speed of 133mph with a range of up to 328 miles. All-wheel drive power comes from three electric motors – one at the front and two at the rear - with energy supplied by an 89kW battery.
Prices are expected to start from around £60,000 for the GT version and from around £70,000 for the GTS, with official figures to be announced later. Orders books will open in November with first deliveries expected in spring 2026, with customers who sign up early to a VIP Priority pass being at the front of the queue. Firmly in the sights of the new Alpine A390 are the Porsche Macan EV, which starts from £68,500, but whose 510bhp Macan 4S Electric (costing from £76,900) is considered more of a benchmark in performance terms.
Other electric models it hopes to steal sales from include the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, BMW ix2, Cupra Tavascan, Maserati Grecale, Tesla Model Y, and BMW i4 M50. It aims to be the only car under €100,000 (£84,000) with three e-motors and active torque vectoring. The A390 model follows in the wake of the new A290 - which is a tuned version of Renault's 5 E-Tech - and ahead of the all-electric A110 in what Alpine bosses say is the creation of their 'dream garage'.
Alpine described the A390 as 'a true sports car' dressed for the road 'like a racing car in a tailor-made suit' noting: 'The A390 is designed to deliver its performance unabated in the most demanding conditions, whether climbing mountain passes or even on the race-track.' At the unveiling of the prototype model ahead of last October's Paris Motor Show, Alpine CEO Philippe Krief told This it Money it has 'a racing soul' and will give drivers 'an exhilarating experience'.
Alpine achieved cult status with its sports and racing cars in the 1960s and the brand was revived by Renault as its sporting arm in 2017. The firm says 85 per cent of the design revealed in last year's striking Paris show car has been retained. Integrated handles for the two rear doors help maintain the coupe-like fastback profile. The car's unique lighting signature includes, at the front, a cluster of illuminated triangles called Cosmic Dust which 'evokes a comet piercing the atmosphere'.
Alpine notes: 'When the driver approaches the vehicle, they come to life in a welcome sequence. A projection of the Alpine logo surrounded by snowflakes is also directed sideways at ground level.' At the rear, fragmented triangles frame a backlit Alpine logo in complete lettering. Thin light bars front and rear appear 'to slice through the air like a blade' to evoke a sense of lightness.
Inside, the dashboard, centre console and door panels are coated in leather and a sophisticated blue-themed lighting atmosphere. The driver-oriented cockpit has 12.3-inch and 12-inch high-definition screens facing 'to immerse customers in the Alpine universe'. And in a victory for drivers concerned about digital distraction, Alpine stresses: 'Physical climate control allows drivers to adjust settings without taking their eyes off the road.'
There is also specific switchgear for audio controls. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief said at the Dieppe launch: 'The Alpine A390 shows how to reinvent the spirit of the A110 in a 5-seat sport fastback. 'The A390 is the quintessential Alpine, combining sportiness and performance with technology and refinement, all for a unique driving experience that is equally suited to everyday use and more spirited driving.' He added: 'Inspired by French design expertise, its distinctive styling will delight all lovers of beautiful sports cars, just as Alpine has done for more than 70 years. 'Above all, this all-wheel-drive sport fastback is the finished product from a team of passionate men and women who believe electric sportiness is meaningful and are working hard to do it justice.'