Alpine A290: The Electric Hot Hatch That Almost Gets It Right
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Electric hot hatches sound like a contradiction. Traditional hot hatches were light, simple, cheap, and full of character. Most performance EVs today are the opposite. They are heavy, expensive, and often feel a bit distant from the driving experience.
But the new Alpine A290 tries to change that idea. It is based on the new Renault 5 EV and aims to bring back the fun factor in a small electric package. More importantly, in some markets, it can even cost less than petrol hot hatches. That alone makes it a very interesting car.
Powertrain and Performance
Like old school hot hatches, the A290 borrows its motor from a bigger car in the Renault group. Instead of using the Renault 5’s smaller motor, it uses a more powerful unit from the Megane and Scenic.
There are two main power outputs:
| Variant | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|
| Standard versions | 180 hp | 285 Nm |
| GTS version | 220 hp | 300 Nm |
The GTS is the quickest version.
Performance figures
0 to 60 mph: 6.2 seconds
Quarter mile: 14.9 seconds
Layout: Front wheel drive
Launch control: Yes
That puts it right in the territory of petrol hot hatches like the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Mini John Cooper Works.
Brakes and Stopping Power
The A290 gets upgraded brakes compared to the standard Renault 5.
Front setup:
320 mm discs
Four piston Brembo calipers
Hardware taken from the Alpine A110
Rear setup:
288 mm discs
Single piston calipers
In testing, the car stopped from 60 mph in about 34 metres in wet conditions. That is an excellent result for a small hot hatch.
Pricing and the EV Advantage
One surprising point is the pricing. In certain markets, the A290 qualifies for a full government EV grant. That makes it cheaper than some petrol hot hatches on paper.
However, that advantage depends heavily on incentives. Without subsidies, the price gap may change quickly.
In some ownership calculations, rivals like the Abarth 600e can still make more financial sense despite higher purchase prices. Depreciation plays a big role here.
Alpine A290: Design and First Impressions
At first glance, this is one of the best looking small electric cars in years. You can instantly tell it is based on the Renault 5, but Alpine has added its own touches.
Key design highlights include:
More aggressive front bumper
Rally inspired cross tape graphics on the lights
Flared wheel arches
Large side skirts
Standard 19 inch alloy wheels
Alpine badging all around
The rear looks closer to the standard Renault 5, with only a small spoiler strip and a new bumper to set it apart. The front and side feel much more special than the back.
Overall, the styling nails the hot hatch attitude. It looks compact, sporty, and full of character.
Interior: Mostly Good, With Some Odd Decisions
Inside, the A290 keeps most of the good things from the Renault 5.
What works well:
Clear and easy to use screens
Physical climate control buttons
Sporty Alpine seats and trim
Distinctive cabin design
But Alpine also made a few strange changes.
Main complaints:
New squared steering wheel feels less natural
Overtake button adds full throttle, but feels unnecessary
New centre console removes the cup holder
Yes, there is no cup holder. That sounds small, but it affects daily usability more than you would think.
Practicality: Still a Small Car
Rear seat space is tight. That is expected from a small hatchback, but it is worth noting.
Rear seat issues:
Limited headroom
Tight knee and foot space
Poor shoulder room
Not comfortable for three passengers
There are also small usability problems:
No USB ports in the rear
Rear windows do not open fully
Small glovebox
Boot space
326 litres total
Slightly less in versions with subwoofer
That is decent for this class and more practical than some rivals.
Handling: Good, But Not Truly Exciting
On paper, the chassis sounds promising. Alpine made several changes:
Wider track
Stiffer suspension
Stronger anti roll bars
Quicker steering
The result is a car with strong grip and flat cornering. It feels stable and quick through bends.
But there is one issue. It is not as playful as classic hot hatches.
Reasons include:
Kerb weight around 1,480 kg
No gear shifts or engine character
Stability focused setup
Compared to icons like the Ford Fiesta ST, the A290 feels more secure than exciting. It does not have that lively, adjustable feel when you lift off the throttle in a corner.
City Driving and Comfort
In everyday driving, the A290 actually feels very usable.
Positives in town:
Very tight turning circle
Comfortable suspension for a hot hatch
Good visibility
Compact dimensions
It is easy to live with in urban environments.
Real World Range Concerns
The official claimed range is around 230 miles. But driven hard, efficiency drops sharply.
Observed real world example:
Around 1.5 miles per kWh when driven enthusiastically
With a 52 kWh battery, that means roughly 80 miles of range
That is a big drop from the official figure. And unlike petrol cars, quick refuelling is not always possible in remote areas.
Verdict: Desirable, But Not Perfect
The Alpine A290 does many things right.
What it gets right:
Excellent design
Strong performance
Good braking
Comfortable daily driving
Where it falls short:
Not as playful as classic hot hatches
Some questionable interior changes
Real world range drops fast when driven hard
The biggest problem is simple. It is not dramatically more fun than the standard Renault 5. And that makes the price premium harder to justify.
Still, there is one reason to buy it. It looks fantastic. And sometimes, that alone is enough to make people want a car.
The A290 may not fully recreate the magic of old school hot hatches, but it proves that a small, sporty electric hatch can actually be desirable. That is a big step forward.
Sources and reference
Below are the verified sources used to support the specifications, performance data, and technical details mentioned in the article. These are manufacturer pages and reputable automotive publications.
Confirms up to 220 hp output
Mentions 19 inch wheels and sport chassis
Alpine technical specifications
Confirms 180 hp base version
Confirms 220 hp performance and 326 litre boot capacity
52 kWh battery across the range
178 bhp and 216 bhp outputs
0 to 62 mph times for different variants
52 kWh battery
220 hp and 300 Nm GTS figures
0 to 100 kmh in 6.4 seconds
WLTP range around 362 km
217 bhp output
1479 kg weight
6.4 second 0 to 62 mph time
52 kWh usable battery
Estimated range around 185 miles
WLTP range around 236 miles
100 kW DC fast charging
218 hp and 300 Nm output
0 to 100 kmh in 6.4 seconds
Front wheel drive layout
Kerb weight around 1479 kg
