Alpine It will be an electric brand, we already know. And the A290_β is the advance of what will be the first Alpine model under this philosophy, an incredible hot hatch with an aggressive design and very inspired by the heritage of the rally. It’s important to say that this is the first new French hot hatch in some time, considering Peugeot discontinued GTI models from its range and Renault relegated its sporty development to Alpine, eliminating RS models like the Clio and Megane. In fact, in case you hadn’t noticed, the A290_β will be the sporty and enhanced version of the electric Renault 5making it the electrified successor to the Renault Clio IV RS.
He name A290_β has its tale: A followed by three numbers, is the classic Alpine combination, but 2 was chosen to represent the B segment and 90 because it is the numbering that will represent the brand’s Lifestyle models. This means that there will be cars of other formats and for other clients, always from the sports lane, of course. And we only have one letter left, the β (Beta) which, as it is normally used in the computer world, refers to the fact that the model is still in the development phase, with a view to releasing its final version in 2024, the same year that opens new Renault 5.
The keys to its design
He A290_β stands on the platform Renault 5 (CMF-B EV), we already said it It will have front-wheel drive and independent suspension on the rear axle. And of course, being based on the future Renault 5, it brings back memories of the original Renault 5 Alpine, which was once considered a rival to the first Volkswagen Golf GTI.. So, it’s not uncommon to see Alpine building a hot hatch, considering that there are already precedents in the brand’s history.
Regarding the design, Antony Villain, Head of Design at Alpine commented on some special features of this prototype:
- The headlights with the X-shaped light signature are a nod to Rally, to the time when the headlights were sealed with adhesive tape to prevent them from being knocked apart and so that the glass did not explode on the track.
- At the rear, a vertical brake light mounted in the center of the wing is used, as a nod to F1 cars. It also serves to give coherence to the red stripe that runs through the center of the model.
- This is to emphasize a unique feature of this prototype: it has a McLaren F1-style central seat.
- The white color was chosen in tribute to the Alps. This color is combined with forged carbon fiber parts, which were embellished with “chips“fiber in blue color.
- Triangular graphics were used on the rear windows, which are also a nod to the Alps, but with a more urban reinterpretation.
This set is completed by blue and red LED decorative lights, in addition to some showy rims with square elements, single-bolt and in two-tone treatment (black/aluminium). Of course, work was also done to give the body a sportier look, with a front that bears the Alpine name instead of the Renault rhombus, new air intakes, skirts, an extra spoiler on the tailgate and a hood that flirts with an extended windshield in its central area.
The new Alpine will be the first in a family of models, where we should also see the successor to the A110 in electric format and an electric crossover, a bit like going to the fight with CUPRA, which is also cooking up a similar, battery-powered offering.
It only remains to know how much power it will have, its autonomy and its charging times. Over the course of the year, we will surely learn more about this model and the electric supply of the Renault Group.
