Revealed: Alpine’s first electric hot hatch

Alpine has unveiled its first ‘lifestyle’ model – the concept for the much-anticipated A290.

The exciting new car made its debut at an historic hangar in Bristol – birthplace of Concorde, the Anglo-French supersonic airliner.

Alpine’s Formula one drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who are helping to develop the A290, put the show car through its paces.

Kick-starting the sporty French brand’s push to become mainstream,the EV hot hatch is based on its cousin, the upcoming Renault 5 EV.

Alpine CEO, Laurent Rossi, described the A290 as the first page of a new chapter.

“This car will have a big mission,” he said. “It will have to perpetuate the racing brand legacy of Alpine. The brand is born from racing, made by racers, for racers at heart.”

Despite its more rounded shape, there’s no hiding the Alpine’s DNA. Other differences include a duck-tail-style rear spoiler, a small lip on the bootlid and Alpine’s four-light signature up front.

Even though it will share its basic underpinnings with the Renault 5 EV, it’s expected the Alpine will get a power boost and a more dynamic set-up.

Alpine currently only sells the A110 sports car, but is planning to launch the A290, alongside the successor to the A110, plus an all-new crossover.