Alpine’s hotly anticipated electric hot hatch has officially launched in the UK, offered in two states of tune. Based on the acclaimed Renault 5 EV, both variants use a front-mounted electric motor which draws power from a 52kWh battery that sits between the widened axles, offering up to 226-236 miles of WLTP range. As standard, the A290 puts out 178bhp and 210lb-ft (285Nm) which is good for a 0-62mph time of 7.4-seconds, and a top speed of 99mph. The more powerful motor develops 217bhp and 221lb-ft (300Nm), takes 6.4-seconds to reach 62mph, and has a slightly higher top speed of 105mph.

The A290 sets itself apart with its restyled front end, bespoke sills, unique rear doors, and 19” alloy wheels. Under the skin, the car has a revised suspension setup with hydraulic bump stops, and a multi-link rear axle to make the most of the car’s 50:50 weight distribution. The cabin has also received a host of Alpine-specific upgrades with re-trimmed seats in fabric or nappa leather, updated display graphics, and a new steering wheel. A toggle switch for selecting energy recovery levels appears on the left, while a red “OV” button that instantly delivers maximum performance sits above the right-hand wheel spoke.

At launch, there are five A290 variants available, beginning with the GT. This is priced from £33,500, and comes with the 178bhp motor, and Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres. Standard equipment includes LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, privacy glass, fabric upholstery, heated front seats, a 10” infotainment display with smartphone integration, wireless charging, automatic climate control, ambient lighting, and a reversing camera. 

For an extra £2,500 there are two price-aligned variants: the GT Premium and the GT Performance. The GT Performance model adds the 217bhp motor, Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tyres, black exterior badging, red brake callipers, and the Alpine Telemetrics feature. This data logger shows information like brake temperature, energy flow and G-force in real time, and has a series of challenges designed to let the driver get the most out of their new hot hatch.

The GT Premium builds on the standard car’s specification with the same 178bhp motor under the bonnet, but adds two-tone nappa leather, a heated steering wheel, the uprated Devialet sound system, blue brake callipers, blue windowline trim, and power folding wing mirrors.

The A290 GTS starts at £37,500, and includes a combination of the Performance and Premium models’ features, such as the 217bhp motor, black exterior badging, nappa leather interior, Telemetrics software, premium sound system, and more. The GTS gets gloss black ‘Snowflake’ wheels as standard, and we expect this model to be the most popular in the UK. 

Available at launch is the Premiere Edition, which raises the price by an extra £1,000 up to £38,500. Only 1,955 examples will be made - a nod to the year of Alpine’s founding - and each one gets edition-specific floor mats, blue-painted brake callipers and wheel centre caps, enhanced driver assistance features, and a commemorative interior plaque saying “1 of 1,955.” Four colour schemes are available, with La Noire being all-black, La Grise seeing white patterns contrasting the matte grey paintwork and black wheels, La Bleue featuring blue paintwork and motorsport-inspired matte black graphics, while Beta carries a white and black livery inspired by the 2022 A290 Beta concept car.

All GT models get the “Iconic” alloy wheel design with a square centre as standard, while the GTS gains the “snowflake” multi-spoke rims, and switching wheels is a £550 cost option. There is a choice of black, blue, grey, and white paint, with a black contrasting roof available. 

Order books are now open for the new Alpine A290, which will set you back between £345 and £415 a month based on a 48-month PCP contract, with a £5,000-6,000 deposit, and 6,000 annual miles. The first demonstrators are set to arrive in March, with customer cars landing in April 2025.

Early bird customers who have already paid a £250 deposit to reserve an A290 are eligible for up to three years of free servicing and what Dieppe calls a ‘VIP Alpine Experience’, which includes track day experiences in an A110 at Thruxton or Knockhill, a tour of the F1 facility at Enstone, or hospitality at a selection of major UK events where Alpine are competing or sponsoring.

The A290’s closest rival is the battery-powered Mini John Cooper Works that brings slightly more power at 227bhp (254bhp with overboost active), but commands a higher starting price of £39,120, and offers two fewer doors. Although not a direct rival, the Alpine also undercuts the £45,750 that Toyota commands for the revised GR Yaris. As the hot hatch baton passes from ICE to BEV, in terms of pricing, performance, and packaging, the new Alpine A290 looks like a winning proposition on paper. We can’t wait to find out how it all stacks up in the real world, on a twisting B-road.