First Drive: Alpine’s A290 is here to offer a classic hot-hatch experience

What is it?

It’s been a tricky time for hot hatches. Beloved in the UK, where their zippy character and no-frills design make them the ideal all-round performance car, these models are now having to make the transition to electric. But with smooth running and complete absence of engine noise, channelling character into a battery-powered model is often tough.

That’s where the Alpine A290 is looking to change things. With typical French flair, boxy 80s-inspired looks and an interior packed with cool features, it could be the hot hatch for modern times. Is that the case, though? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?

You’ve probably already guessed from the A290’s dimensions, but this Alpine uses the recently introduced Renault 5 as a base. Those are some smart beginnings to work from, too, but go-faster Alpine has implemented many sharper tweaks to make the A290 a little more focused than its urban cousin.

Upgraded suspension is there to give better cornering ability while inside, there’s an altogether more sporty design with a driver-focused look and feel. There are also neat touches, such as a cool-looking switch on the wheel which increases or decreases the amount of regenerative braking you get. A dedicated ‘overtake’ button unlocks the full potential of the electric motor, too.

What’s under the bonnet?

Alpine hasn’t gone down the route of a dual-motor setup in the A290, with just a single power unit located on the front axle driving the wheels it sits between. You can get this Alpine in two outputs – 174bhp in the base car or 215bhp in the more powerful GTS model we’re driving here – but regardless of which you pick, you’re getting the same 52kWh battery. On this GTS version, that means a range of up to 226 miles from a single charge.

Speaking of charge, you can top up the A290 at speeds of up to 100kW, which would return a 15 to 80 per cent top-up in 30 minutes. You’re looking in the region of seven hours for a full charge via a conventional home wallbox, too, which isn’t bad considering the range you get at the end.

What’s it like to drive?

But there’s no use looking this flamboyant if you’ve not got the driving style to match. The good news is that the A290 has introduced some of the spirit of the famous hot hatch into an electric vehicle. It is not as harsh or as uncompromising as a Renaultsport model of old, but with its neat handling and adjustable nature, it’s the ideal car for making the most of a UK country road. Zero to 60mph comes in 6.2 seconds, which is more than quick enough and a pleasant change from the dual-motor EVs that we’ve tested recently, which shock you with their speed but fail to deliver in the bends.

The toggle for the regeneration is fun, but we’d rather it were wheel-mounted paddles, as this would introduce an extra layer of involvement. But with its upgraded brakes and suspension, the latter of which toes a pleasant line between support and comfort, the A290 makes every drive feel a little special.

How does it look?

The Renault 5 has already proven to have the ‘wow’ factor in terms of design and we’d argue that the A290 takes things one step further. With its flared arches and variety of Alpine ‘A’ logos, it’s got the hallmarks of a boxy 80s hatchback – and that’s not a bad thing in the slightest. At 3,990mm, the A290 is slightly shorter than the most recent Renault Clio and this makes it easy to park and live with in general. It’s also a welcome change to other EVs, which seem to have grown larger over time.

There are two primary blue colours to choose from with the A290 currently, alongside a mix of blacks and whites. We’d argue that this car is screaming out for some brighter colours, so hopefully Alpine will introduce some further options down the line.

What’s it like inside?

The A290’s feels far more driver-focused than the one in the 5, but the two do share the same basic layout – which means this Alpine puts more of a focus on boot space than outright interior practicality. As a result, taller passengers aren’t going to be all that comfortable in the back, but with a 326-litre boot, there will be enough space for their kit. That’s more than you’ll find in cars like the Mini Cooper JCW Electric and Abarth 500e, for contrast.

One thing that seems to be lacking in the A290 is internal storage – there’s not a cupholder to be found and the side pockets are very small. This could prove annoying, particularly if you’d like to bring a drink along with you.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the GTS version start at £37,500, while our car with a few options came in at £38,600. That is quite a bit for a car of this size, but it’s hardly out of kilter with the rest of the market at the moment. Standard equipment is generous, too, with full LED headlights and heated front seats included – while the 10.1-inch central screen has a native Google system, which means that features such as Google Maps come pre-loaded and can be used without needing to connect your phone.

If you’re happier with a lower-powered version, then the standard ‘GT’ specification lowers the price back to £33,500 and still gets the same high level of equipment. With a 0-60mph time of 7.2 seconds, it’s still more than nippy enough to keep things interesting, too.

Verdict

It could’ve been quite easy for the Alpine A290 to trade on looks alone, but fortunately, there’s far more going on here than just head-turning design. The A290 feels like it stands proud in the current EV market, with pleasant handling and a suspension setup that ensures you can use this car every day without getting annoyed at an overly firm ride.

A small size gives the A290 a more useable edge and – slight interior practicality issues aside – there’s no reason why this Alpine couldn’t slot into daily life like a charm.