Alpine A290 GTS: A Step Above, But Not Quite There

The Alpine A290 brings a lot to the table, delivering solid performance and plenty of fun. However, compared to the Renault R5, it doesn’t quite hit the same thrilling highs. Here’s why.

The Retro Card Played Right – But Not Enough Punch

Renault has been skillfully working the retro angle with its electric lineup, from the R5 to the upcoming R4 and Twingo. And let’s not forget Alpine—Renault’s dedicated sports division. Renault CEO Luca de Meo, with his background at Alfa Romeo, is committed to maintaining Alpine’s legacy, ensuring it’s not reduced to a mere trim level. While the Alpine A290 shares the same AmpR-Small platform as the Renault R5, it brings a more advanced take on the tech.

Alpine has developed the A290 “from the top down,” leading with innovations that include the R5’s robust suspension setup and multi-link rear axle. The A290 sports an upgraded electric motor (the same as in the Scenic E-Tech), and a specially designed aluminum subframe helps house the motor efficiently. The engineers also beefed up the chassis to handle the car’s sporty character, adding a wider track, stiffer bushings, and rally-style hydraulic shock absorbers. With brakes taken from the Alpine A110, featuring Monoblock calipers that maintain shape even under heat, and riding on 225mm 19-inch tires, the A290 comes well-prepared to carve corners.

Dynamic Performance, but No Electrifying Surge

Under the hood, the Alpine A290 GTS packs a 160 kW (220 hp) motor with a 52 kWh battery. It offers an estimated range of up to 364 kilometers on the WLTP cycle, though spirited driving will likely reduce that to around 240 km. Charging speeds cap at 100 kW, allowing a 15 to 80% top-up in roughly 30 minutes. For home charging, an 11 kW AC wallbox will replenish it from 10 to 80% in about three hours. Future features like Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) tech may even let owners sell power back to the grid.

The A290’s battery capacity remains the same across all trims, but there’s a choice between two power levels: 132 kW (180 hp) and 160 kW (220 hp). In “Save” mode—similar to Eco on other brands—the A290 offers nimble city driving, while Normal and Sport modes unleash sharper throttle response and added sound effects for a slightly sportier feel. Those wanting to fine-tune the drive can select “Personal” mode to customize their own mix of performance characteristics.

Driving mostly in Normal mode with a few runs in Sport, the A290 felt agile and responsive. Alpine’s efforts shine through: the suspension is sporty and firm yet far from harsh. Despite the A290’s short wheelbase, body roll is minimal, and it takes bumpy roads in stride. Handling is well-balanced, with a weight distribution of 57% front and 43% rear. It tackles corners with grace, though it can’t fully mask its front-wheel-drive origins, showing a hint of understeer at times. And while the A290 hits 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, with a top speed of 170 km/h, the sense of exhilaration feels slightly muted.

Control Meets Comfort, But Something’s Missing

The steering feels responsive and lets the driver know what’s happening underfoot. While there is some noticeable torque steer when accelerating hard, the steering wheel itself, with buttons for drive modes, boost, and regenerative braking, gives a Formula 1-inspired vibe. Regenerative braking can be set in four levels, though the A290 lacks true one-pedal driving, as it switches to “creep mode” below eight km/h.

Alpine has added a red “OV” button (for “Overtake”) that provides a temporary boost. However, this doesn’t unlock extra power; instead, it simply maxes out the available 220 hp for 6.4 seconds, a feature that requires holding down the button—a bit awkward for extended use. The brakes, however, are impressive, seamlessly blending regenerative and mechanical braking.

Tech and Interior: Lots of Flair, but a Bit Overdone

Inside, the A290 offers a blend of modern Renault tech with a few Alpine touches. The 10.25-inch instrument display and 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system have a playful feel. A quirky touch is the sci-fi-inspired display animations that add a dynamic feel, though they may be a bit much for some.

Beyond that, the infotainment screen offers telemetry options, showing G-forces, brake usage, and more. But despite all these enhancements, the A290 doesn’t feel as distinct from the Renault R5 as it should; it leaves you craving a bit more Alpine-exclusive excitement.

A Strong Start, But the Future Looks Even Brighter

Overall, the Alpine A290 offers plenty to like and is genuinely fun to drive. However, it feels like it’s hovering just a little too close to the Renault R5 in terms of performance and doesn’t deliver the exhilarating punch you might expect from an Alpine. Perhaps the upcoming A390 Fastback, slated for release next year, will add that missing dash of thrill.