Right then, let’s dive into the world of Alpine’s latest electric creation! They’ve just pulled the wraps off something pretty special, aiming to bring that classic Alpine spirit into the electric age with a versatile new model.
Alpine A390: Electrifying the Spirit
Alpine has just given us the first look at the A390, the second all-electric addition to their ‘Dream Garage’. This reveal happened in Dieppe, France, which is not only the brand’s historic birthplace but also where this new sport fastback will be manufactured. The A390 is set to join the A290 in the lineup. Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, noted that 2025 and the arrival of the A390 remind the world that the soul matters more than software, highlighting the excitement of reviving a legendary brand. It’s described as embodying Alpine’s DNA in a passion-filled vehicle designed to handle winding mountain roads and compete on the track. Philippe Krief, Alpine CEO, views the A390 as the quintessential Alpine, blending sportiness, performance, technology, and refinement for a unique driving experience suited for both daily use and spirited driving.
A Design That Speaks Volumes
The A390 is presented as an elegant sport fastback with a distinctive personality. It’s a 5-seater, offering a welcoming interior and generous dimensions, which are new territory for Alpine, though it remains compact at 4.615m long, 1.885m wide, and 1.532m high. The design intent was to create a “racing car in a suit”. Its proportions, visible from a distance, take inspiration from the A110’s profile, featuring coupĆ© proportions with a helmet-visor-shaped rear window. Up close, details like the sculpted line on the rear doors with integrated handles and the precision of the body line are revealed.
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Unique design elements abound. The front bumpers feature triangular shapes inspired by mountains. The lighting signature includes a cluster of illuminated triangles at the front called ‘Cosmic Dust’, which performs a welcome sequence when the driver approaches. At the rear, fragmented triangles frame a backlit Alpine logo in full lettering. Thin light bars at both the front and rear evoke a sense of lightness. The Alpine A logo on the side always points forward, and there’s even an option for a tricolour flag on the C-pillar, similar to the A110. Aerodynamics have been key, influencing everything from the sculpted bonnet blade to the rear skirt, diffuser angle (inspired by LMDh prototypes), and a discreet black spoiler integrated into the rear window base. There’s also a tiny A110 silhouette hidden in the corner of the windscreen as an Easter egg. The production design is 85% previewed by the A390_Ī² show car, which was presented at the 2024 Paris Motor Show.
Six body colours are available, including Noir Profond, Bleu Abysse, and Gris tonnerre mat. Depending on the choice, the roof can be body-coloured or contrasting black. The sill panels and wheel arches are finished in gloss black. Wheel options include 20-inch aerodynamic Cristal wheels and 21-inch Alpine Snowflake style wheels. Alpine collaborated with Michelin for bespoke tyres featuring special A39 markings, designed for optimal grip and range. The GT version uses 20-inch Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres, while the GTS gets 21-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tyres. A 20-inch Michelin Cross Climate 3 Sport all-season tyre is also available.
Step Inside: A Sporty Cocoon
Inside, the Alpine A390 aims to be a sporty cocoon for up to five passengers. The interior features a high-tech atmosphere, with a focus on comfort and perceived quality, using materials like leather on the dashboard, centre console, and door panels. The colour theme is blue, echoing the Alpine A290. The cockpit is driver-focused, with a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 12-inch vertical infotainment screen. Physical controls for climate settings are retained for ease of use. The heated sport steering wheel is wrapped in Nappa Bleu leather and features a flat bottom and centre point. It integrates controls for driving modes, driver assistance, phone, voice assistant, and instrument panel display.
Formula 1-inspired coloured aluminium buttons on the steering wheel control the regeneration level via a blue RCH (Recharge) rotary knob and the boost function for overtaking via a red OV (Overtake) button. There’s also specific switchgear for audio controls. The high centre console takes design cues from the iconic A110. Seating includes electrically adjustable and heated Alpine Sport seats, available in materials like Alcantara microfibre. The top-tier GTS version features blue and grey Nappa leather Alpine Sport Seat by Sabelt bucket seats with electric adjustment, heating, and massage functions. Refined details include aluminium Devialet speaker grilles and an optional microfibre headliner. Atelier Alpine offers customisation options for things like brake callipers, seats, and wheels. The five doors provide easy access, and the boot offers a generous 532 litres of capacity, with an optional double floor for more versatility.
Performance and the Magic Underneath
Performance is a core focus for the A390. It uses an all-electric powertrain featuring three motors: one at the front (wound rotor) and two dedicated permanent magnet synchronous motors at the rear, providing all-wheel drive. These rear motors are key to the Alpine Active Torque Vectoring system. This patented system, unique to Alpine, provides independent wheel control by varying torque between the two rear wheels, adding dynamism and agility, and helping offset the vehicle’s size and weight. It corrects slip differences and adjusts torque to correct understeer or oversteer, acting ultra-responsively in milliseconds. This system allows the car to be responsive to load transfers and enables drifting without counter steering. The three motors are manufactured at the Ampere plant in ClĆ©on.
The A390 comes in two power outputs: the GT and GTS.
ā¢The GT version develops 400 hp and 650 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 200 km/h.
ā¢The GTS version delivers 470 hp and up to 808 Nm of torque, rocketing from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds and hitting a top speed of 220 km/h. Notably, the GTS’s acceleration matches that of the Alpine A110 R.
Alpine engineers aimed for the chassis settings to replicate the agility, lightness, and stability of the A110 as closely as possible. The car features a short wheelbase (2.708m) for agility, wider tracks for stability, forged aluminium suspension triangles, and a low centre of gravity with ideal weight distribution (49% front, 51% rear). It has dedicated suspension with hydraulic stops for a balance of comfort and handling. Braking performance is aligned with the A390’s capabilities, featuring 365mm discs with 6-piston callipers ā a first for Alpine.
The A390 is designed to deliver its performance consistently, even with a partially discharged battery. Battery preconditioning can be manually activated for maximum performance or temperature control.
Driving Experience and Technology
The A390 integrates the latest driver assistance systems (ADAS), including features like driver attention monitoring, progressive emergency braking, and extended automatic emergency braking. A “My Safety” button on the steering wheel allows quick access to ADAS settings. Adaptive cruise control with stop & go is standard.
Driving modes are selected via a dedicated steering wheel button, offering Save, Normal, Sport, Perso, and a new Track mode. These modes adjust settings for Alpine Active Torque Vectoring, ESC, and traction control. ESC can be completely deactivated via a dashboard button. The driving dynamics are intended to feel natural and accessible, with responsive pedal modulation and direct steering. One-pedal driving is available, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop.
The Overtake function provides a boost of extra power for up to 10 seconds, activated by the red OV button. This feature, inspired by motorsport and gaming, is patented. The instrument panel shows an animation when Overtake is used. Launch control is also available, offering optimal acceleration from a standing start, accompanied by a specific sound and animation.
Regenerative braking power can be adjusted through four levels using the blue RCH button. Level 1 mimics the engine braking of the A110, while levels 2 and 3 increase regeneration. Level 5 corresponds to One Pedal mode.
To provide auditory feedback without engine noise, the A390 features Alpine Drive Sound, which conveys mechanical demands based on the torque from the motors. Two tones, Sport and Daily, were created in collaboration with acousticians and musicians. Sport is richer in low frequencies, reminiscent of the A110, while Daily is lighter. These sounds are reproduced in the cabin via the audio system. The Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS), mandatory for low speeds, offers a choice between a distinctive Alpine sound or a neutral one.
The A390 features an 89 kWh lithium-ion battery with high-performance chemistry developed by French specialist Verkor. This battery is designed to guarantee maximum discharge power and maintain performance even as it discharges. It offers a range of up to 555 km (20-inch wheels) or 520 km (21-inch wheels) on the WLTP cycle (subject to approval). DC fast charging reaches up to 190 kW, allowing a 15% to 80% charge in under 25 minutes (indicative). The A390 supports bidirectional AC charging at 11 kW, with a 22 kW optional upgrade, including V2G (vehicle-to-grid) capability via the Mobilize Power service. An EV route planner in Google Maps GPS navigation helps optimise charging stops. The My Alpine smartphone app provides remote access to vehicle data and functions.
Upon entering the A390, passengers are greeted with a visual and audio welcome sequence. The infotainment system runs on the Android Automotive connected system with Google Automotive Services, featuring a 12-inch portrait screen with Alpine-specific graphics and user interface. The system is fluid, updated remotely via FOTA, and can be controlled via touchscreen or voice assistant. Google Maps with EV route planning, Google Assistant, and access to the Google Play catalogue are standard. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also supported.
A key tech feature is Alpine Telemetrics, described as a “driving optimiser”. It offers three categories: Live Data, Coaching, and Challenges. Live Data provides detailed driving information across themes like Agility, Power, Endurance, and Circuit. Coaching offers advice to improve driving skills, including tips from engineers and development drivers, covering topics specific to the A390 like Torque Vectoring and battery thermal management. Challenges present gamified missions focused on agility, power, and endurance. An external Alpine Telemetrics smartphone app allows recording video and telemetry data, which can be played back with data overlays.
Following their collaboration on the A290, Alpine partnered with French acoustic engineering company Devialet for a bespoke audio system in the A390. This system benefits from Devialet’s expertise and patented signal processing technologies. It includes an 850-watt amplifier, a 224mm subwoofer, three front channels, and a total of 13 speakers throughout the cabin, creating an immersive experience. SAMĀ® technology ensures precise speaker control. Different listening modes are available, and the premium Devialet XtremeSound Audio System (standard on GTS, optional on GT) adds the immersive SPACEā¢ mode. The audio system also integrates with the Alpine Driving Sound.
French Craftsmanship
The Alpine A390 is designed and manufactured in France at the historic Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean RĆ©dĆ©lĆ©. The factory has undergone a transformation to accommodate the manufacture of electric vehicles, including adapting the production line and modernising logistics. Over 10,000 hours of training were conducted for electric vehicle assembly, and 80 new employees have joined the team. The A390 is part of the Ampere ecosystem from Renault Group. Electric motors come from the ClĆ©on plant, while the high-performance Verkor batteries are produced in Dunkirk and assembled in Douai. The chassis is designed and manufactured at Renault Group’s Le Mans site. This makes the A390 a “true French Alpine through and through”.
Getting Your Hands On One
The Alpine A390 will be available from the fourth quarter of 2025. At launch, the price range for the GT and GTS versions is expected to be between ā¬65,000 and ā¬76,000, with final prices announced when orders open. Initial buyers can get priority access to orders via the Alpine A390 PremiĆØre pass, which also includes exclusive limited-edition Devialet X Alpine earbuds.
This looks like a seriously exciting step for Alpine, bringing their unique brand of sportiness and driving pleasure into the electric age with a practical, high-tech fastback!
