Alpine is readying to unleash one of the purest electric hot hatches we’ve yet seen - the stunning A290_β.
That ‘β’ in the title means ‘beta’, by the way, and while the A290 has a slightly silly name it’s one serious bit of kit.
The A290 is seen here in concept form, yet Alpine - the performance division of French firm Renault - says a full production version will follow in 2024.
And lots of what you see in these pics - including the head-turning alloy wheels - will remain on the car that actually makes it to the road.
So far Alpine hasn’t revealed what will be powering the A290 but it’s likely to utilise the ‘CMF-B EV’ electric platform - shared by both Renault and Nissan - and which also will underpin the upcoming Renault 5.
Renault has already revealed the most extreme version of the 5 - the ‘Turbo 3E’ drift car - an aggressive circuit muncher with power of 380 hp, 700 Nm of peak torque, and a 0-62 mph time of just 2.5 seconds.
So if the Alpine A290_β exceeds the Turbo 3E’s performance figures, it’ll be potent indeed.
One of the most striking things about the A290 is the fact that there’s just one seat in the front, with a central driving position. That’s an attempt to make the person behind the wheel feel completely connected to the road.
Alpine describes the A290 as a ‘city-friendly hot-rod inspired by racing cars’, so it should absolutely tear it up at the traffic light grand prix.
A company spokesperson adds:
“The whole point is that the driver is at one with the car and the passengers enjoy an unparalleled experience. The driver connects with the road and focuses on the driving experience. The passengers – co-pilots, here – watch the driver in action and savour the sensations.”
There’s a motorsports-inspired Overtake button, which delivers a ten second boost of power when you need it most. Alpine says you’ll only be able to deploy it on a dry racetrack.
There are also three driving modes for tracks: Wet, Dry and Full - with the latter of that trio unleashing the electric motor’s ‘full might’.
The three-tone alloys are also eye-catching and ‘faithfully foreshadow the ones on the production model’, says Alpine.
Our spokesperson adds:
“They are cut in a singular pattern and combine three colours: Alps Snow matching the body, classic glossy mineral black for extra intensity around the base and a blue ring to complete this vehicle’s exclusive, iconic rim. A square cut-out at the centre of the 20-inch circle adds zip and an original touch.”
Bucket seats, safety harnesses and a minimalist interior complete the cabin’s purist look.
Laurent Rossi, CEO at Alpine, says:
“This urban show car has rewritten the playbook for electric hot hatches. The A290_β is tapping into its rich legacy and ushering Alpine into the future, with an everyday experience of the motor sports spirit that has inspired the brand since its inception.”
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