Alpine A290 GTS Road Test

It’s been a tricky time for hot hatches. Beloved in the UK, where their zippy character and no-frills design make them the ideal all-round performance car, these models are now having to make the transition to electric. But with smooth running and a complete absence of engine noise, channelling character into a battery-powered model is often tough.
That’s where the Alpine A290 is looking to change things. With typical French flair and an interior packed with cool features, it could be the hot hatch for modern times. Is that the case, though? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?
You’ve probably already guessed from the A290’s dimensions, but this Alpine uses the recently introduced Renault 5 as a base. Those are some smart beginnings to work from, too, but go-faster Alpine has implemented many sharper tweaks to make the A290 a little more focused than its urban cousin.
Upgraded suspension is there to give better cornering ability while inside, there’s an altogether more sporty design with a driver-focused look and feel. There are also neat touches, such as a cool-looking switch on the wheel which increases or decreases the amount of regenerative braking you get. A dedicated “overtake” button unlocks the full potential of the electric motor, too.

What’s under the bonnet?
Alpine hasn’t gone down the route of a dual-motor setup in the A290, with just a single power unit located on the front axle driving the wheels it sits between. You can get this Alpine in two outputs – 180bhp in the base car or 220bhp in the more powerful GTS model we’re driving here – but regardless of which you pick, you’re getting the same 52kWh battery. On this GTS version, that means a 
range of up to 226 miles from a single charge.
Speaking of charge, you can top up the A290 at speeds of up to 100kW, which would return a 15% to 80% top-up in 30 minutes. You’re looking in the region of seven hours for a full charge via a conventional home wallbox, too, which isn’t bad considering the range you get at the end.

What’s it like to drive?
But there’s no use looking this flamboyant if you’ve not got the driving style to match. The good news is that the A290 has introduced some of the spirit of the famous hot hatch into an electric vehicle. It is not as harsh or as uncompromising as a Renaultsport model of old, but with its neat handling and adjustable nature, it’s the ideal car for making the most of a UK country road. Zero to 62mph comes in 6.4 seconds, which is more than quick enough and a pleasant change from the dual-motor EVs that we’ve tested recently, which shock you with their speed but fail to deliver in the bends.
The toggle for the regeneration is fun, but we’d rather it were wheel-mounted paddles, as this would introduce an extra layer of involvement. But with its upgraded brakes and suspension, the latter of which toes a pleasant line between support and comfort, the A290 makes every drive feel a little special.

How does it look?
We’d argue that the A290 takes things one step further, bringing the “wow” factor in terms of design. With its flared arches and variety of Alpine “A” logos, it’s got the hallmarks of an 80s hatchback. At 3,990mm, the A290 is slightly shorter than the most recent Renault Clio and this makes it easy to park and live with in general. It’s also a welcome change to other EVs, which seem to have grown larger over time.
There are currently four different colour options available: Deep Black Metallic (which is the free of charge colour), Alpine Vision Blue, Tornado Matte Grey and Nival White, with or without a contrasting Deep Black Roof.

What’s it like inside?
The Alpine places more of a focus on boot space than outright interior practicality. As a result, taller passengers aren’t going to be all that comfortable in the back, but with a 326-litre boot, there will be enough space for their kit. That’s more than you’ll find in cars like the Mini Cooper 
JCW Electric and Abarth 500e, for contrast.

What’s the spec like?
Prices for the GTS version in Jersey start at £33,175, Standard equipment is generous, too, with full LED headlights and heated front seats included – while the 10.1-inch central screen has a native Google system, which means that features such as Google Maps come pre-loaded and can be used without needing to connect your phone.
If you’re happier with a lower-powered version, then the standard “GT” specification lowers the price back to £29,675 and still gets the same high level of equipment. With a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds, it’s still more than nippy enough to keep things interesting, too.

Verdict
It could’ve been quite easy for the Alpine A290 to trade on looks alone, but fortunately, there’s far more going on here than just head-turning design. 
The A290 feels like it stands proud in the current EV market, with pleasant handling and a suspension setup that ensures you can use this car every day without getting annoyed at an overly firm ride.
A small size gives the A290 a more useable edge and there’s no reason why this Alpine couldn’t slot into daily life like a charm.

Fast facts
Model as tested: Alpine A290 GTS
Price: From £33,175 from Bagot Road Garage
Engine: Electric motor
Power: 220bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Max speed: 105mph
0-62mph: 6.4 seconds
MPG: N/A
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 226 miles
Maximum charge speed: 100kWh