Alpine chooses Le Mans for A290 official reveal
Because of course it does...
Are we excited about the Alpine A290? Yes, we are. And we’re not just saying that because the current market for electric hot hatches is about as well filled as a petrol station prawn sandwich. Or because the car it is based on - the Renault 5 E-Tech - already looks cool (though it does). No, we’re excited because Alpine made all the right noises when we went to see the original concept in Paris, and hasn’t stopped since. And while it is a tiny bit short on new models to crow about, it’s also true that the brand hasn’t let us down yet.
Continuing its theme of pitching woo to enthusiasts, Alpine has just confirmed that it will officially unveil the production-ready A290 on June 13th. Why does that date ring a bell? Well, because it’s the opening day of Le Mans, silly. And while an electric hatchback might have about as much to do with the ‘world’s most legendary endurance race’ (Alpine’s words) as a prawn sandwich does with Octane ratings, the firm’s insistence that it does everything in lockstep with its motorsport endeavours should not be taken as mere posturing: it really does take racing very seriously, as its continuing financial commitment suggests.
Nor could the stakes be much higher for the A290. In a perfect world, Alpine would likely have chosen a different car to be the ‘first model in its Dream Garage’ because a ‘sporty electric city car’ isn’t ever going to be halo-wearer like a new sports car, or sell in huge volume like a family-friendly SUV. But it has to start somewhere and it has plenty of other derivatives queuing up behind the diminutive five-seat EV. Also, we’re willing to bet that being the first through the battery-electric wall has meant Alpine being even more diligent with development than normal. And who could forget what happened when it tried its hand at making a mid-engined car?
To make sure we’re all paying attention, the manufacturer has released a ‘previously unseen image’ of the car along with its announcement, although there’s not much to glean from that aside from things we already know - i.e. the A290 is going to be easily distinguishable from the new Renault 5 thanks to its idiosyncratic headlight arrangement, and ought to be better looking too. Or at least come with added presence thanks to flared arches. And more power. And better handling. And a sportier interior. Roll on summer.
I own an EV, which I exclusively rely on public charging to use so I play EV owning life on hard mode 
As an A110 owner as well I’m still desperately sad the Alpine-Lotus EV collaboration fell apart and that the EV A110 was a prototype only. I’m cautiously optimistic for this A290 but I cant wait for them to make a ground up EV sports car
I'm sure with time ranges will increase I think in ten years they will have cracked most issues ,just not there yet .
I'm sure with time ranges will increase I think in ten years they will have cracked most issues ,just not there yet .
IMHO, EV's only make sense as a leased option / company car. Very few are buying outright right now unless it's exotica or less fiscally risky stuff.
Too many unknowns on how the car market will react to leggy EV's (battery degradation etc) and I say that as an EV owner.
k 
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