Alpine, the French sports car brand owned by Renault, has unveiled its vision of the electric hot hatch for everyday driving: the Alpine A290_β. The concept car, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, is a preview of Alpine’s upcoming production model that will compete with the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Tesla Model 3.
What is a hot hatch?
A hot hatch is a term used to describe a high-performance version of a hatchback, a car with a large rear door that opens upwards to access the cargo area. Hot hatches are popular among enthusiasts who want a car that is both practical and fun to drive. Some of history's most iconic hot hatches include the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Peugeot 205 GTI, and the Honda Civic Type R.
What makes the Alpine A290_β special?
The Alpine A290_β is not just another electric hot hatch. It is a car that aims to combine the best of both worlds: the agility and responsiveness of a sports car and the efficiency and sustainability of an electric vehicle. Here are some of the features that make the Alpine A290_β stand out:
- Design: The Alpine A290_β has a sleek and aerodynamic design that is inspired by the Alpine A110, the brand’s iconic mid-engine sports car. The concept car has a blue and black color scheme, with yellow accents that evoke the Alpine logo. The front end features a large air intake and LED headlights, while the rear end has a distinctive spoiler and diffuser. The car also has 19-inch wheels and a panoramic glass roof.
- Performance: The Alpine A290_β is powered by two electric motors, one on each axle, that deliver a combined output of 320 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The car also has a four-wheel drive system that can adjust the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels depending on the driving mode and the road conditions. The car has four driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Track, each with different settings for the powertrain, the suspension, the steering, and the brakes.
- Efficiency: The Alpine A290_β has a 75 kWh battery pack that can provide a range of up to 500 km on a single charge, according to the WLTP cycle. The car also supports fast charging and can replenish 80% of its battery in 30 minutes using a 150 kW charger. The car also has a regenerative braking system that can recover energy when the driver decelerates or brakes, and it can be used to recharge the battery or boost acceleration.
- Technology: The Alpine A290_β has a high-tech interior that features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The car also has a head-up display that projects key information on the windshield, such as speed, navigation, and driving mode. The car also has a wireless charging pad, a smartphone integration system, and a premium sound system. The car also has a range of advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.
When will the Alpine A290_β be available?
The Alpine A290_β is still a concept car, and some of its features may change before it reaches production. However, Alpine has confirmed that it plans to launch its first electric hot hatch in 2025 as part of its strategy to become a fully electric brand by 2030. The production model is expected to have a design and performance similar to the concept car but with some modifications to meet regulatory and market requirements. The price of the Alpine A290_β is not yet known, but it is likely to be in the same range as its competitors, which start from around $40,000.
The Alpine A290 is based on the upcoming Renault 5 EV concept, which is a modern reinterpretation of the classic Renault 5 hatchback from the 1970s and 1980s. The Renault 5 EV is expected to launch in 2024, followed by the Alpine A290 in 2025. The Alpine A290 will be a more powerful and sporty version of the Renault 5 EV, with distinctive design and performance features.
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