DRIVEN NEW ALPINE A290

FIRST TEST Sporty French brand's take on the Renault 5 EV packs enough driving dynamics and performance to satisfy fans of fast hatchbacks

- Jordan Katsianis

THE A290 is the tricky second album in various respects for both Alpine and its parent company, Renault. As the second model in Alpine's modern era, it complements the A110 sports car in the company's range as it pivots to appeal to buyers in different and arguably more mainstream segments. It's also the first high-performance derivative of Renault's hotly anticipated 5, with a more powerful front-mounted electric motor and an extroverted design.

In both cases, the A290's key deliverable is driver engagement, and before you argue that it seems like little more than a hotted-up R5, do remember there's historical precedent in Alpine giving Renault's superminis a sporty makeover. The original seventies Renault 5 was modified by the Dieppe firm and sold as the R5 Alpine (or the R5 Gordini in Britain).

The A290 range in the UK will be split into three, with an entry-level GT and GT Premium using a 178bhp motor. At the top of the range is the 216bhp GTS, and Alpine will be bringing over a few limited-run Premiere Editions for good measure.

Pricing in the UK has yet to be set, but should start at around £33,500 for the base car, rising to £38,000 for the GTS. Premiere cars will likely cost a further £1,000 more than the GTS for the few hundred coming here.

The most notable difference between the A290 and a Renault 5 is the e-motor, which isn't just more powerful, but also slightly larger. This also means the Alpine has a unique front subframe and completely new suspension geometry on axles that are 60mm wider. It also picks up the clever hydraulic bump stops that were introduced on the last-generation RenaultSport Megane - something that could be quite a useful addition to a high-performance EV.