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Alpine, the French sports car manufacturer, is entering a new era with the A290, a compact B-segment electric sports car that promises to revolutionize the world of sports cars. The A290 is the first of three models in Alpine’s future Dream Garage, and the brand is tapping into its motorsport heritage and essence to venture into new segments, starting with an urban sports car.
Its clear that the Alpine A290 Beta has borrowed several design elements and styling cues from the Renault 5 GT Turbo, aiming to capture the spirit of the iconic hot hatch. It featured a compact and aggressive body design, with flared wheel arches, a prominent rear spoiler, and a low-slung profile. These design elements were reminiscent of the Renault 5 GT Turbo’s sporty and aerodynamic appearance.
The A290_β (A290 beta) is the spectacular, ultra-sporty show car that heralds this new era for Alpine. Its design, materials, and technology encapsulate a new angle on electric cars that are just as suited for motor sport circuits as they are for everyday drives – and as exciting for the driver as they are for passengers. But the A290_β is more than just a show car. It embodies the brand’s unwavering commitment to sustainable motorsports and low-carbon mobility, which is becoming an essential element in the automotive sector.
The A290_β takes power and agility to new heights in its category. With two electric motors at the front, it is an ultra-sporty show car that Alpine’s development engineers and drivers have taken on and tackled. They have combined numerous specific developments, such as the chassis, suspension, and torque management, with extensive fine-tuning to achieve both playful and efficient behavior. The A290_β has been cleared for use on tracks by the FFSA (Fédération Française du Sport Automobile) and is ready to put on a show!
From the outside, the A290_β looks a lot like the future production models will. But inside, it’s a whole new concept. Its three-seat configuration is a revolutionary design that takes the experience of oneness with the vehicle to the next level. The driver’s seat is in the centre, like a single-seater racing car, but the A290_β can also carry two passengers slightly behind the driver – one on either side – so they can enjoy the full view from an angle quite unlike anything they have seen before.
The A290_β has naturally inherited the DNA that Alpine honed in motorsports and competitions. The range of racing car functionalities built into the steering wheel with telemetry, the dynamic shapes and air inlets streamlined for better cooling, the driving seat on the centerline, the bucket seats providing optimal support, and the hydraulic handbrake all contribute to an unforgettable driving experience.
The A290_β is the first of three exclusive and pioneering models in the line-up, which includes a compact sports car, a GT crossover, and the A110’s replacement. All three models will be 100% electric, with production beginning in 2024 at ElectriCity in Douai. The A290_β sits in the B-segment sports car designed primarily for cities and built on the Alliance’s CMF-B EV platform for B-segment electric vehicles.
Alpine’s new era has begun, and the A290_β is leading the way with its revolutionary design and cutting-edge technology. It’s a new chapter in Alpine’s enthralling history, and it promises to recast the notion of sports cars.
So, is it the new 5 GT Turbo?
The Alpine A290 Beta and Renault 5 GT Turbo are two sports cars that pay homage to the performance legacy of the original Renault 5 Turbo. While they share some design elements and features, they are very different cars in terms of performance and technology. The Alpine A290 Beta is a modern sports car with advanced features and impressive performance, while the Renault 5 GT Turbo is a classic car with a simple but effective design that prioritizes handling and agility. Like the 5 GT Turbo, its looks like it will become an icon and future classic.