Alpine A290 GTS Review, Track-Tested: Has Alpine’s Motorsport DNA Perfected the EV Hot Hatch?
Watch Vicki Butler-Henderson give her verdict on the Alpine A290 GTS:
In this review, we join Vicki in sunny Spain, looking at a French car with Formula One connections. It is the Alpine A290 GTS which Vicki describes as a more performance-orientated version of its stablemate, the Renault 5 E-Tech. Could this be the EV to convince petrolheads that EV hot hatches are the future?
Specifications
• Price: From £33,000 up to approx. £38,000
• Battery: 52kWh battery, single electric motor
• Power Output: 180hp (GT version) / 220hp (GTS version)
• 0-62mph: 6.4s (GTS version)
• Range: 236 miles
• Weight: 1,479kg
Exterior & Design
Rightly so, Vicki starts by stating it is a great looking car which is characterised by the muscles on display throughout the bodywork. If you were to put this next to the Renault 5 E-Tech and asked someone who knew nothing about cars which one was the performance model of the two, they’d point at the Alpine every time
No detail has been left behind here with bulging wheel arches finished with black trims to make this hot hatch stand out, side skirts (which most of us add to our cars as an aftermarket modification), large rear diffuser, and a ducktail spoiler. Alpine have carefully crafted the looks of the A290 to hold fantastic road presence despite the fact it is indeed hot hatch size.
There’s a nice nod to Alpine’s heritage too with the snowflake motif as well as the unmissable lights which are unusual, but not to Alpine. There are 4 of them which is another nod to the multi-bulbed Alpine rally cars, and they all feature a cross which is symbolic of the tape that was strapped across glass headlights to help shatter-proof them in competition.
While we have focused on the pure performance looks of this hot EV, it is also quite practical. If you will be using this to carry shopping and/or luggage, the boot can hold up to 326 litres of space which is bigger than the MINI electric (which Vicki has also reviewed). You can watch the MINI electric video here and you can read the article here. The A290 also has rear doors which the MINI does not and therefore contributes to the statement that the Alpine is the more practical option of the two.
Interior & Technology
There is plenty going on inside the car, and the first thing you are greeted with is a marker in the centre of the top of the steering wheel. For the motorsport fans among us, you’ll know this is an aid to help you understand where the front wheels are pointing. Looking at the rest of the steering wheel it is obvious that Alpine’s F1 expertise have been called upon here. Firstly, the wheel isn’t round much like in Formula One and the wheel itself hosts a multitude of controls. Among them are different driving modes (Save, Normal, Personal, and of course, Sport) – depending on which you pick will alter the steering assistance, throttle response, ambient lighting and the sound the car makes (with it being an EV). There’s also a dial for the 4 levels of regenerative braking, and a very cool (and aptly coloured) red overtake button which gives 10 seconds worth of extra power!
Like most modern cars, there is a curved screen ahead of the driver which houses the brains of the tech. Vicki points out that there is plenty of technology packed into this little car, including Alpine Telematics which is a fantastic feature if you plan to take your A290 to the track to see how close you can get to the lap record. Within the Telematics system is a cool feature which will award you bronze, silver, and gold awards for doing 0-100kmp/h (or 0-62mph) within 7.0s, 6.7s, or 6.4s. This will vary depending on whether you set it to a flying start or an on-grid start.
Driver comforts? Of course there’s driver comforts. Wireless smartphone charging for a start, reversing camera and heated seats which is a fantastic option especially at this time of year where we are experiencing negative number degrees. When it comes to the rear seats of the car, Vicki puts the space to the test by setting up the driving seat to the position of a “6ft’er” and the results are that there is enough room for someone of her height (5ft 5, and a half) for knees and headroom.
Wheels & Tyres
The GTS model comes with black snowflake alloys which really do complement the overall look of the car with the black details across the exterior. They are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres which have been specially developed in collaboration with Alpine. Using the latest compound, they are designed to support responsiveness in the wet and dry conditions to balance the torque and weight of the A290’s electric platform.
Battery & Performance
With the A290, there are two electric motor options. One comes with 180 horsepower and the other comes with 220 horsepower (GT and GTS models). When it comes to torque, the maximum you will be getting is 300nm and all of that (when talking about the GTS model in the review) means that 0-62mph happens in 6.4 seconds which is slightly quicker than a MINI electric which does it in 7.3 seconds.
Where the A290 does fall against the MINI (only ever so slightly) is the battery range. The A290 on a full charge will take you 236 miles which is just 14 miles less than the MINI. Charging the battery from 15-80% takes just 30 minutes.
Vicki’s Verdict
“Although it is not the hottest of hot hatches, it mixes performance and practicality really well”.
Vicki points out that the A290 is another hot hatch in a highly contested market, but how many can say that they are F1 inspired? She goes on to say that it is a ‘warm hatch’ rather than hot, but it mixes performance and practicality well and comes with the know-how from Alpine’s motorsport heritage.
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