It was in Dieppe, the brand's historic birthplace, that Alpine unveiled its A390 for the world premiere. The first 100% electric SUV that promises to be particularly sporty. We were there.
It is under gloomy weather that Alpine is preparing to celebrate its 70th anniversary in its stronghold of Dieppe, where its factory is located. An anniversary marked by the launch of a new vehicle for the brand with its very first SUV. Second 100% electric vehicle after the A290 last year and while waiting for the future A110 which will in turn have to abandon its thermal engine, the Alpine A390 is based on the Renault Group's Amp'R Medium platform, which notably equips the Scenic with which it shares some elements as we will see. This SUV coupé, described here as a sports fastback, is capable of accommodating up to 5 people with its generous dimensions of 4.6 m long, 1.88 m wide and 1.53 m high.
Presented at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, the A390_β show car revealed 85% of the final design of the Alpine A390. It notably retains certain attributes dear to Alpine, starting with the C-pillar with its characteristic design and which houses the small tricolor flag. Sporty in its lines, the A390 adopts a completely new design and abandons the round optics of its famous berlinetta, just like the A290.
All in finesse, the light signature is inspired by the Alpine Alpenglow concept and the A424 Hypercar entered in the WEC Championship. Just below, a cloud of illuminated triangles called “Cosmic Dust” comes to life to welcome the driver while the Alpine logo is projected surrounded by snowflakes on the ground.
Similarly, the front bumper features triangular patterns inspired by mountains, while incorporating openings, notably the sculpted hood blade, to create air curtains directed towards the wheels and the windshield. The latter also includes a small easter egg with the silhouette of the Alpine A110.
From the side, the Alpine A390 displays a sculpted line with many reflections and volumes. The front door handles are flush while those at the rear are directly integrated. And while the coupe line inevitably reduces the glass surfaces at the rear, the headroom fortunately remains sufficient.
Furthermore, the concern for aerodynamics is found at the rear with a 17° roof drop, flaps at the rear wheels with, again, guided air passages. The whole is accompanied by a black-painted spoiler integrated into the base of the rear window and a diffuser, inspired by the Le Mans Daytona prototypes. So there's going to be some sport.
Finally, six colors will be available (black, different shades of blue, silver, white, and gray). The roof can be painted body color or contrasting black. And while the wheel arches and side sills are painted gloss black, the latter are relatively thick, especially at the rear access point.
Aboard the Alpine A390
On board, the atmosphere is sporty thanks to various elements that differentiate the Alpine A390's driving position from that of the Renault Scenic, from which it seems to have been directly taken. We thus find the two 12.3-inch and 12-inch screens with an Android system whose interface has been redesigned to be specific to Alpine. And the manufacturer had the good sense to keep the physical controls for the air conditioning.
As mentioned, the sports steering wheel contributes to the sporty atmosphere. Heated, it is covered in blue Nappa leather and includes a flat surface and a center point. It incorporates the essential buttons dedicated to driving aids and telecommunications (audio control is via a dedicated switch behind the steering wheel). Inspired by the world of Formula 1, two specific colored aluminum buttons are dedicated to the regeneration level on the one hand (with a One Pedal mode), and to the boost and launch control on the other (the red OV button for Overtake). A specific switch is dedicated to audio controls.
Furthermore, the Alpine A390 receives electrically adjustable and heated sports seats. They are partly upholstered in Alcantara microfiber, while the high-end finishes benefit from blue and gray Nappa leather bucket seats with optional twill or forged carbon inserts on the rear shell.
To finish on this part, know that the trunk has a volume of 532 liters and has a small space under the floor to store the charging cable. No Frunk at the front, notably due to the integration of an optional 22 kW on-board charger (the large gray block in the center in the photo below).
A (big) battery and two different engines for the Alpine A390
The Alpine A390 is the most powerful model of the French brand to date. A car that will be offered with two different engines:
- a front synchronous electric motor that develops 295 kW (400 hp / 650 Nm) for the A390 GT
- two rear synchronous permanent magnet motors of 345 kW (470 hp / 808 Nm including 508 Nm at the rear) for the A390 GTS
The manufacturer announces muscular performances with 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds for the first and 3.9 seconds for the second.
These two versions share the same battery lithium-ion battery with a generous capacity of 89 kWh useful with an estimated range of 520 – 555 km WLTP depending on the tire fitment (20 or 21 inches) and awaiting final approval of the car. Note that the battery is assembled at Renault in Douai from components supplied by Verkor based in Dunkirk (but also LG initially). For their part, the engines are manufactured in the Renault factory in Cléon in Seine-Maritime, the region where the A390 is assembled.
No 800 V platform for the Alpine A390 which accepts a charging power of up to 190 kW on a direct current (DC) fast charging station. The car is also equipped as standard with an 11 kW on-board charger for alternating current (AC) charging, and even 22 kW as an option. Alpine announces less than 20 minutes to recover 2 hours of autonomy and less than 25 minutes to charge from 15% to 80%. Additionally, both versions of the car benefit from the V2L bi-directional charging function to power a device using an adapter. V2G (vehicle-to-grid) is also possible if the user's home is equipped.
A champion of lightness, Alpine nevertheless faces a major challenge with the A390. Or rather, weight. Indeed, with its minimum 2,121 kg, it may have a lot to do to offer the driving pleasure so dear to the brand. That being said, French engineers have tried to erase the impact of the mass induced by the battery, by deploying a technical solution supposed to promote perceived lightness if we are to believe the first returns.
To do this, the Alpine A390 will be able to rely on its three electric motors, and more specifically the two rear motors which allow independent control of each wheel. This feature called Alpine Active Torque Vectoring allows for finely controlled torque, which will be sent to the outside wheel when cornering in order to correct the slightest tendency of the vehicle to understeer or oversteer. The system works during acceleration, both when cornering and in a straight line, to increase traction and stability. We'll tell you more when we test the car.
Designed and manufactured in France, in the brand's historic factory, the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé, the Alpine A390 should be marketed from the fourth quarter of 2025 at a price between €65,000 and €76,000.
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