Latest news with #GlenSealey
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Alpine Australia puts its hand up for 1000hp V6 hybrid Ferrari rival
Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric-rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: "We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. "We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars," Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. "We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally," said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027. MORE: Everything Alpine Content originally sourced from: Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric-rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: "We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. "We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars," Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. "We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally," said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027. MORE: Everything Alpine Content originally sourced from: Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric-rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: "We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. "We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars," Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. "We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally," said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027. MORE: Everything Alpine Content originally sourced from: Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric-rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: "We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. "We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars," Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. "We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally," said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027. MORE: Everything Alpine Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Alpine Australia puts its hand up for 1000hp V6 hybrid Ferrari rival
Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric -rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: 'We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market.' Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. 'We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars,' Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. 'We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally,' said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027.
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Alpine A390 electric SUV spearheading performance brand's Australian return
Alpine will return to the Australian market with this, the A390 electric fastback. Revealed overnight, the tri-motor A390 wears a high-riding, crossover-like five-door body in the vein of a Cupra Tavascan or Ford Mustang Mach-E, but Alpine doesn't refer to it as an SUV. Instead, the Renault-owned French performance brand says it's a 'racing car in a suit', and it'll be complemented by the A290 electric hot hatch already on sale in Europe and an electric replacement for the A110 sports car teased overnight and expected to launch in 2026. Thus far, only the A390 has been confirmed for Australia. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 'We are proud to announce the return of the iconic Alpine performance brand to Australia,' said Glen Sealey, the general manager of Alpine Australia. 'We appreciate there is a lot of interest in this vehicle and Alpine's future plans in Australia. However pricing, timing and specifications will be announced closer to local arrivals.' Given orders aren't opening in Europe until the fourth quarter of 2025, we don't expect the A390 here until late 2026 or potentially 2027. In Europe at least, it'll be offered in GT and GTS variants. Here are their performance specs: Range is between 520km and 555km on the WLTP cycle, depending on tyres. Alpine says these figures are subject to homologation. The A390 offers 11kW bidirectional AC charging, with 22kW bidirectional AC charging optional. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability will be offered in France. It can be fast-charged using DC power at up to 190kW, and the A390 features battery pre-conditioning and a heat pump. A tri-motor setup is rare, even among performance EVs. However, it allows the A390 to offer Alpine's Active Torque Vectoring system. Alpine explains this system 'relies on a difference in longitudinal forces between the two wheels on the same rear axle, notably by delivering more torque to the outer wheel'. The result? 'Unparalleled dynamism and agility, partially offsetting the inertia associated with the size and weight of this larger vehicle,' says Alpine. The system will correct the slip difference between the right and left wheels and adjust the torque sent to each of the wheels to correct any understeer or oversteer. 'It makes it possible to push the limits in corners by delivering a surprising feeling of lightness, acting as a rear differential,' Alpine elaborates. An overtaking function delivers extra power for up to 10 seconds, though a recharge time of 30 seconds is needed to get the full 'boost' back. Five drive modes are standard: Save, Normal, Sport, Perso, and Track. Also present are five levels of regenerative braking, with the highest being a one-pedal drive mode. Alpine also collaborated with acousticians and musicians to come up with two different artificial propulsion sounds: Sport, and a 'lighter and smoother' Daily. Specific sounds accompany the launch control and boost functions. Weight distribution is a claimed 49:51 front/rear. Here's how the A390 measures up: Alpine is playing up the Frenchness of its A390, which will be built in France, using electric motors and battery cells and modules produced in France, and featuring a Devialet sound system and exclusive tyres supplied by Michelin. There's a coupe-like roofline, while Alpine calls the unusual cluster of illuminated triangles up front 'Cosmic Dust' and says it 'evokes a comet piercing the atmosphere'. More fragmented triangles can be found at the rear, framing a backlit Alpine logo. Both front and rear ends feature thin light bars. A little Easter egg can be found in the corner of the windscreen: the silhouette of the Alpine A110. Inside, there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with four selectable views and a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. The latter features a portrait orientation and is angled towards the driver. It runs on Android Automotive and features Google built-in, with a range of embedded Google apps and more downloadable via the Google Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard. Google Maps also features an EV route planner, which considers the route, charge level, battery temperature and real-time energy consumption to calculate the best route. The climate control can be adjusted via both on-screen controls and a row of physical buttons underneath. There's a push-button gear selector on the centre console, while the drive mode toggle is located on the steering wheel. Also on the steering wheel is a Formula 1-inspired blue knob for controlling the regenerative braking, and a red control for launch control and overtaking. The base GT will offer the following equipment: 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels Michelin Sport EV tyres Anodised brake calipers Heated, power-adjustable sports seats Heated, Nappa leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel Surround-view camera 13-speaker Devialet sound system The GTS, in addition to offering more power, adds: 21-inch forged wheels Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres Nappa leather upholstery Massaging front seats Microfibre headliner 13-speaker Devialet XtremeSound Audio System Semi-autonomous parking Available safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control with stop/go, driver attention monitoring, autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse), and safe exit warning. The A390 will be offered in the following exterior finishes: Noir Profound Bleu Abysse Bleu Alpine Vision Argent Mercure Blanc Topaze Gris Tonnerre Mat A black contrast roof is available, while Atelier Alpine customisation options allow you to pick different colours and finishes for items like the brake calipers. The Alpine brand was last offered here in Australia from 2018 to 2022. Its only product, both here and globally, was the petrol-powered A110 sports car, which was discontinued because it didn't meet side impact regulations. Alpine is reinventing itself as an EV brand, having revealed the Renault 5 E-Tech -based A290 hot hatch last year.
West Australian
5 days ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
Alpine A390 electric SUV spearheading performance brand's Australian return
Alpine will return to the Australian market with this, the A390 electric fastback. Revealed overnight, the tri-motor A390 wears a high-riding, crossover-like five-door body in the vein of a Cupra Tavascan or Ford Mustang Mach-E , but Alpine doesn't refer to it as an SUV. Instead, the Renault-owned French performance brand says it's a 'racing car in a suit', and it'll be complemented by the A290 electric hot hatch already on sale in Europe and an electric replacement for the A110 sports car teased overnight and expected to launch in 2026. Thus far, only the A390 has been confirmed for Australia. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . 'We are proud to announce the return of the iconic Alpine performance brand to Australia,' said Glen Sealey, the general manager of Alpine Australia. 'We appreciate there is a lot of interest in this vehicle and Alpine's future plans in Australia. However pricing, timing and specifications will be announced closer to local arrivals.' Given orders aren't opening in Europe until the fourth quarter of 2025, we don't expect the A390 here until late 2026 or potentially 2027. In Europe at least, it'll be offered in GT and GTS variants. Here are their performance specs: Range is between 520km and 555km on the WLTP cycle, depending on tyres. Alpine says these figures are subject to homologation. The A390 offers 11kW bidirectional AC charging, with 22kW bidirectional AC charging optional. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability will be offered in France. It can be fast-charged using DC power at up to 190kW, and the A390 features battery pre-conditioning and a heat pump. A tri-motor setup is rare, even among performance EVs. However, it allows the A390 to offer Alpine's Active Torque Vectoring system. Alpine explains this system 'relies on a difference in longitudinal forces between the two wheels on the same rear axle, notably by delivering more torque to the outer wheel'. The result? 'Unparalleled dynamism and agility, partially offsetting the inertia associated with the size and weight of this larger vehicle,' says Alpine. The system will correct the slip difference between the right and left wheels and adjust the torque sent to each of the wheels to correct any understeer or oversteer. 'It makes it possible to push the limits in corners by delivering a surprising feeling of lightness, acting as a rear differential,' Alpine elaborates. An overtaking function delivers extra power for up to 10 seconds, though a recharge time of 30 seconds is needed to get the full 'boost' back. Five drive modes are standard: Save, Normal, Sport, Perso, and Track. Also present are five levels of regenerative braking, with the highest being a one-pedal drive mode. Alpine also collaborated with acousticians and musicians to come up with two different artificial propulsion sounds: Sport, and a 'lighter and smoother' Daily. Specific sounds accompany the launch control and boost functions. Weight distribution is a claimed 49:51 front/rear. Here's how the A390 measures up: Alpine is playing up the Frenchness of its A390, which will be built in France, using electric motors and battery cells and modules produced in France, and featuring a Devialet sound system and exclusive tyres supplied by Michelin. There's a coupe-like roofline, while Alpine calls the unusual cluster of illuminated triangles up front 'Cosmic Dust' and says it 'evokes a comet piercing the atmosphere'. More fragmented triangles can be found at the rear, framing a backlit Alpine logo. Both front and rear ends feature thin light bars. A little Easter egg can be found in the corner of the windscreen: the silhouette of the Alpine A110. Inside, there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with four selectable views and a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. The latter features a portrait orientation and is angled towards the driver. It runs on Android Automotive and features Google built-in, with a range of embedded Google apps and more downloadable via the Google Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard. Google Maps also features an EV route planner, which considers the route, charge level, battery temperature and real-time energy consumption to calculate the best route. The climate control can be adjusted via both on-screen controls and a row of physical buttons underneath. There's a push-button gear selector on the centre console, while the drive mode toggle is located on the steering wheel. Also on the steering wheel is a Formula 1-inspired blue knob for controlling the regenerative braking, and a red control for launch control and overtaking. The base GT will offer the following equipment: The GTS, in addition to offering more power, adds: Available safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control with stop/go, driver attention monitoring, autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse), and safe exit warning. The A390 will be offered in the following exterior finishes: A black contrast roof is available, while Atelier Alpine customisation options allow you to pick different colours and finishes for items like the brake calipers. The Alpine brand was last offered here in Australia from 2018 to 2022. Its only product, both here and globally, was the petrol-powered A110 sports car, which was discontinued because it didn't meet side impact regulations. Alpine is reinventing itself as an EV brand, having revealed the Renault 5 E-Tech -based A290 hot hatch last year.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Alpine A390 electric SUV spearheading performance brand's Australian return
Alpine will return to the Australian market with this, the A390 electric fastback. Revealed overnight, the tri-motor A390 wears a high-riding, crossover-like five-door body in the vein of a Cupra Tavascan or Ford Mustang Mach-E, but Alpine doesn't refer to it as an SUV. Instead, the Renault-owned French performance brand says it's a 'racing car in a suit', and it'll be complemented by the A290 electric hot hatch already on sale in Europe and an electric replacement for the A110 sports car teased overnight and expected to launch in 2026. Thus far, only the A390 has been confirmed for Australia. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'We are proud to announce the return of the iconic Alpine performance brand to Australia,' said Glen Sealey, the general manager of Alpine Australia. 'We appreciate there is a lot of interest in this vehicle and Alpine's future plans in Australia. However pricing, timing and specifications will be announced closer to local arrivals.' Given orders aren't opening in Europe until the fourth quarter of 2025, we don't expect the A390 here until late 2026 or potentially 2027. Supplied Credit: CarExpert In Europe at least, it'll be offered in GT and GTS variants. Here are their performance specs: Range is between 520km and 555km on the WLTP cycle, depending on tyres. Alpine says these figures are subject to homologation. The A390 offers 11kW bidirectional AC charging, with 22kW bidirectional AC charging optional. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability will be offered in France. It can be fast-charged using DC power at up to 190kW, and the A390 features battery pre-conditioning and a heat pump. Supplied Credit: CarExpert A tri-motor setup is rare, even among performance EVs. However, it allows the A390 to offer Alpine's Active Torque Vectoring system. Alpine explains this system 'relies on a difference in longitudinal forces between the two wheels on the same rear axle, notably by delivering more torque to the outer wheel'. The result? 'Unparalleled dynamism and agility, partially offsetting the inertia associated with the size and weight of this larger vehicle,' says Alpine. The system will correct the slip difference between the right and left wheels and adjust the torque sent to each of the wheels to correct any understeer or oversteer. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'It makes it possible to push the limits in corners by delivering a surprising feeling of lightness, acting as a rear differential,' Alpine elaborates. An overtaking function delivers extra power for up to 10 seconds, though a recharge time of 30 seconds is needed to get the full 'boost' back. Five drive modes are standard: Save, Normal, Sport, Perso, and Track. Also present are five levels of regenerative braking, with the highest being a one-pedal drive mode. Alpine also collaborated with acousticians and musicians to come up with two different artificial propulsion sounds: Sport, and a 'lighter and smoother' Daily. Specific sounds accompany the launch control and boost functions. Weight distribution is a claimed 49:51 front/rear. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Here's how the A390 measures up: Alpine is playing up the Frenchness of its A390, which will be built in France, using electric motors and battery cells and modules produced in France, and featuring a Devialet sound system and exclusive tyres supplied by Michelin. There's a coupe-like roofline, while Alpine calls the unusual cluster of illuminated triangles up front 'Cosmic Dust' and says it 'evokes a comet piercing the atmosphere'. Supplied Credit: CarExpert More fragmented triangles can be found at the rear, framing a backlit Alpine logo. Both front and rear ends feature thin light bars. A little Easter egg can be found in the corner of the windscreen: the silhouette of the Alpine A110. Inside, there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with four selectable views and a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. The latter features a portrait orientation and is angled towards the driver. It runs on Android Automotive and features Google built-in, with a range of embedded Google apps and more downloadable via the Google Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Google Maps also features an EV route planner, which considers the route, charge level, battery temperature and real-time energy consumption to calculate the best route. The climate control can be adjusted via both on-screen controls and a row of physical buttons underneath. There's a push-button gear selector on the centre console, while the drive mode toggle is located on the steering wheel. Also on the steering wheel is a Formula 1-inspired blue knob for controlling the regenerative braking, and a red control for launch control and overtaking. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The base GT will offer the following equipment: 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels Michelin Sport EV tyres Anodised brake calipers Heated, power-adjustable sports seats Heated, Nappa leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel Surround-view camera 13-speaker Devialet sound system The GTS, in addition to offering more power, adds: 21-inch forged wheels Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres Nappa leather upholstery Massaging front seats Microfibre headliner 13-speaker Devialet XtremeSound Audio System Semi-autonomous parking Available safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control with stop/go, driver attention monitoring, autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse), and safe exit warning. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The A390 will be offered in the following exterior finishes: Noir Profound Bleu Abysse Bleu Alpine Vision Argent Mercure Blanc Topaze Gris Tonnerre Mat A black contrast roof is available, while Atelier Alpine customisation options allow you to pick different colours and finishes for items like the brake calipers. The Alpine brand was last offered here in Australia from 2018 to 2022. Its only product, both here and globally, was the petrol-powered A110 sports car, which was discontinued because it didn't meet side impact regulations. Alpine is reinventing itself as an EV brand, having revealed the Renault 5 E-Tech-based A290 hot hatch last year.
