Renault launches electric hot hatch to be known as Alpine A290

Alpine as a car brand has had a slightly curious history. Begun as a sports car manufacturer back in 1955, it has had close ties to Renault throughout its existence.

Some models were bespoke vehicles featuring Renault drivetrains and suspensions (such as the A110, A310 and A610), others have been Renault cars heavily modified and tuned to create sports versions (such as the Renault 5 Alpine).

In more recent times Alpine has become a business unit fully owned by Renault – who also recently rolled Renault Sport into Alpine to form a single sporting division.

Now, just like the famous Alpine versions of the Renault 5 back in the mid-70s, Alpine have just launched their version of the upcoming Renault 5 E-Tech. The new Alpine version will be called the Alpine A290.

The A290 is described by Alpine as “compact and agile, offering easy-to-use high performance while guaranteeing comfortable everyday use.”

Alpine are also keen to tout the A290 as the resurrection of the ‘hot hatch’ category – of which the original Renault 5 Alpine was one of the first. (In fact, the Renault 5 Alpine was released two months before the VW Golf GTi – which is often seen as the original/most famous hot hatch of all).

External changes to the Renault 5 E-Tech include wider wheel arches with wider wheels/lower profile tyres, a diffuser on the front bumper, plus logo and trim changes to make it stand out from the standard model. The interior will also be tailored to give an Alpine flavour – including sports style seats and a different centre console unique to the A290.

Under the bonnet the changes will be more noticeable: a new engine subframe has been created to improve the engine’s positioning, the rear suspension changed to multi-link and new, bespoke anti-roll bars have been added.

The electric motor will be offered in two grades: 132 kW(180 bhp) in the base version and the GT Premium, and 162 kW (220 bhp) in the GT Performance and GTS versions.

The top versions will accelerate zero to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. An overtake function controlled from the steering wheel will be part of the A290. That function delivers extra power for up to 10 seconds.

Google Maps GPS navigation with an electric route planner will be standard across the European range, as is the Google Assistant voice assistant. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both wired or wirelessly, will also be standard.

Like the Renault 5 E-Tech, the A290 will include bidirectional charging up to 11kW through the AC charge port.

To begin with, a limited production run of 1,955 vehicles, called the Premier Edition, will be produced in three versions. Beta – with contrasting white and black colours, La Grise and La Bleue. All three will have in common exclusive livery, extra equipment and a limited-edition plate on the centre console.

As to whether it will ever arrive in Australia, well our market has been the best one for selling Renault Sport models outside of France itself, so it would be surprising if it didn’t arrive.

However, Renault Australia have previously said that they have no definite plans for the R5. They will however consider the R5 E-Tech when it becomes available, and will bring it here IF the business for it case stacks up.

A290 Specifications (known so far):

General:

• Tare weight: 1.479 kg
• Battery: 52 kWh
• AC charging: 11 kW (bidirectional)
• DC charging: 100 kW
• Heating system: heat pump.

GT:

• 132 kW motor
• 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with special Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires
• full LED headlights
• adaptive cruise control with stop & go function
• heated sports seats upholstered in a grained coated fabric/fabric blend
• sport steering wheel trimmed in Nappa leather
• Alpine Portal integrating Google services and navigation with electric route planning
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both connected wirelessly
• front and rear parking aids and a reversing camera
• Additions for GT Premium and GTS

GT Premium additions:

• contrasting black roof
• tinted rear windows
• Alpine Blue brake callipers
• Nappa leather interior
• Devialet premium audio system with Alpine Drive Sound
• heated steering wheel
• induction smartphone charger
• electrochromic interior mirror
• folding exterior mirrors

GT Performance additions:

• 132 kW engine
• Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires
• red brake callipers
• black monograms
• electrically folding door mirrors
• Alpine Telemetrics

GTS:

• ‘combines the best of the two GT versions’, plus black ‘snowflake’ wheels