Alpine A290 test: a super 5 with a sporty touch

As it had already done in 1976 with the Renault 5 Alpine, the manufacturer has this time taken the new Renault 5 E-Tech and changed a few elements with various borrowings to create an Alpine, the A290. Is the result worth the effort?

The electric Renault R5 is already a success. With the Alpine A290, we're opening the door to a different, more aggressive philosophy. The bodywork is significantly more muscular, to the point of widening and lengthening the city car by a few millimeters. The style of the crosshead lights evokes memories of rally spotlights. The chassis has also received its share of modifications, with widened tracks, hydraulic compression stops, and Alpine A110 braking. As for the electric motor, it's not from the Renault 5, but from the Scénic. For this test, I had the GTS variant with 218 hp (160 kW) and 300 Nm with a battery of 52 kWh usable.

On the rails

Obviously, there's no question of a fanfare at the start. First, you have to find the button: between the two screens. By pressing the D button between the seats to select forward gear, the A290 quickly demonstrates its torque. However, the approximately 220 hp don't provide much explosiveness. Am I jaded? Some passengers less accustomed to sports cars experienced sensations during acceleration (0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds). But it's difficult for the French car to erase its 1.5-ton mass.

The temperament is, however, wilder in sport mode and by pressing the red overtake button (theoretically used to encourage overtaking). And there, yes, it finally pushes properly, but only for a short time. Alpine has also developed catchy sounds to match. Scales in keeping with the rhythm, but with a melody that is perhaps too discreet and will never replace that of an internal combustion engine.

Not exactly a beast at eating up asphalt, the Alpine A290 makes up for it with its playful spirit. The little bombshell with its 57/43 weight distribution can be bouncy with the whip thanks to its sporty suspension. But it's still relatively comfortable on smooth stretches. It's especially gripped to the road by its special Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires.

The motor control is worth a thumbs-up. The same goes for torque management. From then on, the little one is a ballerina who has perfectly mastered the art of the curve. Her choreography is never vulgar. She glides smoothly and in control without leaving the stage. A great art to exhilarate yourself without scaring yourself.

It's a shame that the large (for my hands) steering wheel hoop somewhat spoils the control of the beauty. On an average road, the driver can modulate reactions and energy thanks to the 4 driving modes "Save, Normal, Sport and Perso", via a button under the steering wheel. Another button allows you to modulate regeneration during braking. And therefore the front heeling when cornering. A control on the left, between the door and the steering wheel, allows you to activate your personal driving assistance settings. It is thanks to this that it is possible to deactivate, with two small taps on the button, the always horrifying and random speeding alert.

Road Trip

The little 4-meter car boasts a WLTP range of 364 km. A range that's bound to melt, but not like snow in the sun on the highway. So, I was able to calmly set off with the hope of a trip of over 200 km. Thanks to the standard heat pump, by the way. The A290 itself is much more fun to drive on bends than on straights. To analyze its dexterity, Alpine even installed a telemetry tool. There's also a coaching module to better control the sedan.

In terms of consumption, it will be the right foot in particular that will manage the transfer of ions between 16 kWh/100 km and 20 kWh/100 km on average. Once at the terminal to find its electricity, it is sufficiently fast up to 80%, with peaks at 80 kW (maximum 100 kW). The Alpine is certainly equipped with Android Automotive with some streaming services like TF1+ or HBO Max. However, it only gave us time to watch one episode of Courage the Cowardly Dog before leaving. The complete Harry Potter series will not be at home!

Hands up in the air

The Devialet premium audio system installed in the GTS sets the tone for a literal dive into Courage's delusions and fears. Wow! That's awesome. Same with the streaming playlist or the radio. All this with 9 speakers supported by a 615W amplifier, an 8-inch subwoofer, and 4 woofers and tweeters. No need to clog the trunk with a Partybox that could be plugged into the V2L to use the car as a battery. First of all, the A290 will take care of the sound system.

But what's more, the trunk isn't exactly generous. It's 326 liters (1000 liters with the rear seats folded down). But for this version, you have to remove another 26 liters for the subwoofer, in addition to the clutter taken up by the cables. Speaking of space, the Alpine A290 doesn't do any better than the R5 for rear passengers. It's hard to push the walls.

At what price?

From a euro-to-size perspective, it's clear that the Alpine A290 requires a real investment. The base 180 hp GT starts at €38,700 in Belgium (September 2025). To upgrade to the 218 (220) hp GTS, you'll need an additional €6,000, or €44,700 with Alpine Drive audio, the Devialet sound system, telemetry, Michelin Sport S5 A29 tires, and a Nappa leather interior.

Our test model also had the Driving pack (€800), the Safety pack (€300), blue Brembo 4-piston brake calipers (€400), 19-inch diamond-cut wheels (€500), the blue Alpine steering wheel center (€100), and the Alpine Vision Blue paint job with black roof (€900). To complete the package, there's also the €50 for the (essential) French flag. That's a total of €47,750. To get a Mode 2 cable to be able to plug the A290 into a 230V socket in an emergency, you'll have to pay another €400. The same price applies to the V2L adapter.

In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the A290 GT starts at €37,421. The standard price of the GTS is €43,222. Configuring it like our test model brings the price to €46,171.

In France, the GT starts at €35,080. For the GTS, it starts at €41,080. Dressed up as shown in our images, it comes to €44,080.

In Switzerland, the GT starts at CHF 37,700. The GTS starts at CHF 43,700. Configured like our test model, it costs CHF 46,900. In the Netherlands, the A290 GT costs €38,800. The GTS starts at €44,800. Configured like our test model, it costs €47,950.

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source : Alpine – Photos : © Olivier Duquesne)