The presentation of the Renault 5 E-Tech electric is imminent, since the city car which will succeed the Zoe will finally be unveiled in its production version on February 26, 2024, on the occasion from the Geneva show. However, you will have to be a little more patient to discover its sports version signed Alpine, like the original R5.
Named A290, it will be the very first electric Alpine, but certainly not the last. The brand intends to offer a fully electrified range in 2026 with the discontinuation of the current thermal A110.
In the meantime, Alpine is unveiling the first photos of prototypes of its A290 carrying out extreme cold tests in Sweden. Certainly still camouflaged, these models allow us to discover lines close to the A290_β concept.
From the show car, we find in particular the square Cibié-style headlights, while the widened rear wings reminiscent of the R5 Turbo seem to have been softened. Many bodywork elements should, however, be specific to this sporty version and also make the Alpine A290 a few millimeters larger than the R5. Its dimensions are now confirmed by Alpine, with a length of 3990 mm, a width of 1820 mm, a height of 1520 mm and a wheelbase of 2530 mm.
We also notice the integration of door handles at the rear, since the standard versions of the R5 E-Tech electric and Alpine A290 will logically all be five-door, five-seater models.
Technical details delivered in dribs and drabs
We already knew that the Alpine A290 would be equipped with different Michelin tires in versions specifically developed for the model (logic of perfect fit with exclusive A29 marking). Customers will have the choice between Michelin Pilot Sport EV and Pilot Sport S5 tires for the summer, the Pilot Sport S5 being sportier but a little less efficient. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 were chosen as OEM winter tires. They will be mounted on 19″ rims which can be seen in the photos published by Alpine.
Most of the Alpine A290 technical sheet is still shrouded in mystery. We simply know that its mass will not exceed 1500 kg, but its engine(s) remain unknown. As a reminder, the new R5 will be front-wheel drive, which does not prevent us from hoping for a more radical two-motor version of the Alpine A290.
Prototype of the production version of the Alpine A290. © Alpine/CETADI Prod/Thomas Antoine
On the other hand, Alpine unveils the specific steering wheel of its supercharged city car. Covered in Nappa leather, with a flat surface and midpoint marking, it certainly allows you to change driving modes, but also to access functions inspired by Formula 1 steering wheels. We thus find a mode OV (Overtake), which we imagine allows access to a few additional kW of power over a short period of time, as well as an RCH (Recharge) command, probably to manage the intensity energy recovery.
To find out everything about the final version of the Alpine A290, you will have to wait until June 2024, when it will be fully revealed.