A290_ß: Alpine strikes hard with an electric Renault 5 extreme version

What should not change are the Michelin tires clawed alpine and mounted on 19 -inch aluminum rims.

Alpine A290_β: the heritage of Alpine for the future Super 5 GT Turbo Electric

The French Sports brand Alpine ventures on the electric field with the A290_ β. Despite its accommodating, we recognize the future electric Renault R5 provided for 2024. A difference separates them, however: sport, the real.

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Barely started when the fight is raging among Aficionados of Alpine, the sports brand to whom we owe the A1606, A108, A310, A610 and GTA, without forgetting the A110 line successfully revived in 2018. The object of discord is called Alpine A290_β. It is above all a concept because, but inaugurating the entrance to Alpine in the epic world of electric.

This alpine A290_β is the first of the brand’s next three electric vehicles, the range of which will have a sporting SUV and a variation of the A110. Alpine baptized this enticing Dream Garage program (“Dream garage” in French).

But why does this alpine A290_β do so much ? The reason is simple: it may be a concept because, fans have recognized the lines of the electric Renault R5 provided for 2024. If the manufacturer agrees in half-word, he defends himself from offering a pale copy matched only with a silver strip embellished with the famous “A”.

It is good to define beforehand how the next range of Dieppe manufacturer will be articulated. Besides the Sport fringe, the Lifestyle category will also be offered, the opportunity given to Alpine to set up a new name which will accompany all the models by the letter a. It will be followed by three figures. The first will define the segment. Here, 2 corresponds to segment B when 90 refers to a lifestyle vehicle. For the sports cars category, the A will be followed by the number 10. Finally the Greek letter β (beta) indicates that the vehicle is still in the development phase.

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RENAULT Clio and Captur CMF-BEV platform

The A290_β is however almost finalized. It is even rolling since the pilots Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, of the BWT Alpine F1 team team, were able to try it.

Alpine A290_β has everything to be cool and fun. The manufacturer of Dieppois has made all his experience speak to get us a wattched bomb and pay tribute to his sports history.

This electric alpine rests on the same CMF-Bev platform of the Renault Clio and Captur, whose center of gravity is placed very low due to the presence of the battery in the floor. This allows, among other things, to improve handling.

The A290_β displays 4.05 m in length, a width of 1.85 m and a height of 1.48 m. If the wheelbase turns out to be short, we note the presence of widened tracks to establish the car a little more. It will be recalled that this is a concept because, for the occasion, has a racing chassis approved by the FIA, with in particular the presence of a safety arch in the passenger compartment. The “civil” version will be wiser with four doors and easier access to the rear seats. The weight would be around 1100 kg.

In addition to the safety cage, this alpine A290_β plays the aerodynamics card, helped by the BWT Alpine Racing Team stable, based in Enstone in Oxfordshire (United Kingdom). Thus, we note the presence of a huge front bumper with scoops on each side, fine air inlets at the level of the wheel arches, which are found under the front headlights and the flagship symbolics in “X ». The painting would not be complete without the fin mounted on the tailgate of the trunk.

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Among the other elements that may disappear from the “civil” version, the blue forged carbon fiber of the body will be replaced by plastic. Ditto with regard to the two exhaust outlets, no more or less of computer fans, more precisely PC for Hardcore gamers. From there to say that this alpine is an alienware on four wheels, there is only one byte ..

What should not change are the Michelin tires clawed alpine and mounted on 19 -inch aluminum rims.

A three -seater interior

In reality, the only area that left us hungry is the cabin, quite summary. Sports show obliges, the latter dresses with Formula 1 buckets. However, Alpine brought a touch of originality there. These are not two, but three bucket seats that take place according to a very specific scheme. The pilot is in the central position, while his two passengers are positioned on both sides, slightly behind. This configuration is reminiscent of a certain overpercar McLaren F1.

The steering wheel seems straight out of an F1 bucket, but with the design of a game controller. Result, a collection of physical controls, including the famous red button which generally hides the excess power. In this case, it acts like a nitro cylinder with a “kick at C …” for 10 s.

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The roof pavilion houses a second panel to trigger other functions. It is difficult to believe that Alpine can ignore digital screens that swarm today. If the alpine A110 of the 21st century has a screen, there is no doubt that the four -seater civil version of the A290 will be at a minimum likewise.

Two electric motors, otherwise nothing

Who says Alpine, says power and agility. Although no technical characteristic characteristic has been revealed, we know that the entire motorcycle group was developed from the A110 E-Tenity, a cross-concept cross at the Paris 2022 World Cup.

A290_β alpine is home to two electric motors, whose total power culminates around 200 kW (270 hp). The series version should have a power of 160 kW (217 hp). This is probably the declination of the engine of the Megane e-tech. As for the battery pack, its capacity will be 52 kWh for a range of 380 km. The manufacturer would have won 15 kg with its new generation of accumulator.

The weight gain brought by a small battery seems relevant, but let’s not forget that a MG X-Power of more than 400 hp is imminent, and that the French scene will have to get angry damn to make it The shadow.

According to Alpine, this engine architecture would make it possible to best manage the torque sent on each wheel and grant better stability. We note the presence of a multi -bass suspension on the rear axle. Of course, the shock absorbers and the springs of the suspensions (with hydraulic stops) were set to the small onions, just like the two anti-roll bars.

In an emergency, Alpine can count on the four -piston brakes borrowed from the A110, which will have the additional regenerative braking function.

The survitamin version of the Alpine A290_β is not intended to be marketed; It will be necessary to wait up to 2024 for your SEANT to slip into the bucket seat of the A290, at the same time as the Renault R5 Electric. The price is still unknown, but this alpine will be more expensive than the Renault R5. Always well informed, our British colleagues evoke a price around € 46,000.

A290_ß: Alpine strikes hard with an electric Renault 5 extreme version

The sports brand of the French manufacturer has unveiled its first 100% electric model, a survitamin version of the future R5.

The Renault sports brand had promised it, its first 100 % electric car would leave no one indifferent. Promise was held: alpine at 290_ß is a watter bomb that few people had seen coming. Indeed, Alpine could have been content to electrify her iconic A110 and thus limit the risks. She preferred to develop her own version of the electric R5 and show the most awaited Electric Compact Electric Potential of the moment.

It does not pay as much in excess as the R5 Turbo 5th, but the Alpine A290 should be born, it. Directly inspired by the Renault 5 Alpine, a small terror of the roads in the late 1970s, this concept A290 has sharp lines, especially in terms of air inlets on the shield and its flanks. Fans will also appreciate the many winks, not necessarily subtle, such as the double X light signature or the 20 -inch rims on this demonstration model.
For the general form and the dimensions, the A290_ß takes up the characteristics and the appearance of the electrical R5 concept presented by Renault with a length of 4.05 m, a width of 1, 85 m and 1, 48 m in height. Another distinctive element: the windshield seems to overflow on the hood, thus extending the black color of the roof.

Half R5, half megane ?

This original design outside is actually an indication of what is found inside the concept of Alpine. The cabin is particularly original and places the driver in the center with a steering wheel in the middle of the boom dashboard. Single -seater at the front, the A290_ß becomes classic in the back and incorporates two places for passengers. Of course, this originality should disappear in favor of a more classic structure for the serial model. Nevertheless salute the inventiveness of the designers of Alpine for the occasion. In addition, Renault never misses an opportunity to recall that its sports brand is also engaged in the F1 championship. The interior of this concept is witness.

What about the performance of this electric bomb ? Alpine has already indicated that its small racing car will rest on the CMF-B EV platform, the same as the Renault Mégane E-Tech 100% electric with a motorization only located at the. Singularity of this A290_ß ? It will be equipped with two engines, in traction therefore, but endowed with specific technologies such as the Vectoring torque which allows the torque to be regulated in a optimal way on each of the wheels.
Finally, unlike the classic version of the electric R5 which should emerge next year, the boosted version of Alpine will benefit from a specific development with a multibras rear train which should offer it more dynamism in driving. As for power, it should be identical to that of the electric mega, or 160 kW (220 hp).
On the other hand, Alpine has not yet given any indication in terms of battery and autonomy. The use of the CMF-B EV platform, as well as the need to contain the weight of this compact as much as possible seem to indicate an ability around 50 kW, but this as well as a good part of the technical characteristics remain to be determined. Indeed, on the manufacturer’s side, it is indicated that this beta is 85 % faithful to the serial model which is awaited to it next year.

When it comes to announcing its electric shift, Alpine had promised to start with a trio of vehicles supposed to constitute its “Dream garage”. This dream begins in the best way with a safe compact of its lines and which, all sporty that it is, does not seem inaccessible to. It’s an R5 after all. The rest should be much more muscular, but for a first in electricity, Alpine did not miss her debut.

Alpine A290_ß: First contact with the extreme electric Renault 5 !

Direction Bristol, in England, to discover the famous Alpine A290_ß show. The aptly named “beta” fairly faithfully foreshadows the A290 serial Alpine planned for next year. And for those who have not followed: the Electric R5 of the extreme that we all expect, it is. On the program, an ultra-sporting electric city car, which promises to associate iconic passion and electrified performance under a futuristic look. What perfectly illustrate the new Alpine era, with the first of the three models of the manufacturer’s future “Dream Garage”. Spoiler Alert: it promises !

Alpine A290_ß side Look: Renault 5 Cyberpunk

“Based on a strong heritage, the A290_ß projects Alpine to the future. To live on a daily basis the spirit of competition that has animated the brand since its creation “. This is how CEO Laurent Rossi introduces the Alpine A290_ß show. Indeed, what could be more iconic than to register in the inheritance of the Renault 5 Alpine ? The brand’s designers imagine a fairly spectacular show-car. A futuristic style, a dynamic and muscular body, underlined by some “sharp technical details”. We thus find large air entrances on the front and lower shield, very refined floating mirrors … without forgetting the light signing in double X and the crossing indicators for more dynamism. At the back, the vertical lights are inspired by those of the A470 Endurance. Another element faithful to the future Alpine A290 series model: the wheels.

The alpine A290_ß presents 20 inch aluminum rims specific to this model and which dress with white “snow alps” powdery, of classic shiny mineral black, and blue for strapping. Note also the large square cutting which breaks the exterior round shape for more originality. The 19 -inch high performance tires of the serial model will be provided by Michelin. On the format side, the show “prefigures a lively and agile standard car. The dimensions of the ultra-sporting electric city car: 4.05 m long, 1.85 m wide, 1.48 m high. Short wheelbase and widened ways promise both everyday mobility and high -speed stability. Finally, note the windshield which is largely overflowing on the hood, extending the two-tone metallic black cut of the roof. An element of style far from having been chosen at random, as the interior shows.

On board: three -seater single -seater

Much more conceptual than the outside, the interior is nonetheless spectacular and realistic, and for good reason. The Alpine A290_ß opts for an innovative architecture: central driving position for the pilot, two rear seats for passengers. Placed in the single single -seater manner, the driver benefits from an arrow dashboard. Inspired by the F1 nose, it extends to the exterior mirrors. The cockpit is minimalist and turned towards performance. Witness the bucket seats, the safety harnesses, and the steering wheel with very inspired functions. Here we find a red “OV” button (temporary boost for Overtake), driving modes, and ABS adjustment. Even the speed limiter for stops at the stand is there ! For its part, the A290 Alpine in standard will mainly resume the OV and the driving methods.

The colors and materials on board the Alpine A290_ß show are not outdone. The “noble” spirit is embodied by certified, durable and technical vegetable leather. It is found on the dashboard, the door panels, and even decorated with discreet embroidery on the chassis. For its part, the sporting spirit (and therefore of lightness) is based on sandblasted aluminum. It constitutes among other hand brakes, dashboard fins, decorative inserts, or footrests. Finally, everything is enhanced with an “ultra -functional” reflective material to enhance the cabin and highlight the central place of the pilot. Certainly, architecture will inevitably be more traditional in the standard vehicle. However, it is a safe bet that identity and atmosphere on board will be preserved. It would be a shame to lose too much from this “cyberpunk” DNA !

Megane E-Tech performance for Alpine A290 ?

No doubt: Alpine prepares us a real little GTI of modern times, an electric GTI therefore. The Alpine A290 will be manufactured in 2024 in Douai, just like the Renault Mégane e-tech. It will be based on the same CMF-B EV platform of the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance, with the motor wheels at the front. No all-wheel drive therefore, but a traction with two electric motors according to the Alpine A290_ß show-car. The latter benefit from a advanced development, always sport oriented. Starting with Torque Vectoring technology, which controls the couple transmitted to each wheel individually. What guarantee optimal performance in a straight line as well as in turn. The series model will also be entitled to a couple management system, but perhaps not as sophisticated. But do not panic, the A290 catches up elsewhere.

And it happens at the other end of the vehicle, with an unprecedented multi -back train. This promises “the best compromise between dynamism and comfort” for the ultra-sporting electric city car. Above all, this is a fairly rare privilege on a car in this category, to underline. Designed to be playful even at low speed, the Alpine A290_ß offers three driving modes in addition to its tailor-made focus. “Wet” mode ensures more sweetness, motor skills, and stability on wet tracks. The “DRY” mode allows more slip and aggressiveness on a daily basis. Finally, the “Full” mode gives access to all the power, including the “Overtake” boost and its 10 seconds of maximum power. Speaking of power and economic reasons oblige, the Alpine A290 should display that of its elder megane e-tech. Or up to 160 kW (220 hp) straight from Cléon.

Accustomed to a Renault 5 Alpine 1.4 of 93 hp, your servant can only confirm: this will be more than enough. What do you think ?