Renault-controlled sports brand Alpine is rapidly moving into a new electric era. The petrol Alpine A110 coupe is about to be discontinued, and the new range will include electric cars. The Alpine A290 hot hatch has already hit the market , and now the brand’s first ever crossover, called the Alpine A390, has been introduced. However, it would be a stretch to call it a crossover.
On the outside, the squat five-door largely repeats last year’s concept . It is made in the new corporate style of the Alpine brand: among the characteristic features are narrowed headlights and lights with crossbars, as well as a scattering of Cosmic Dust LED triangles on the nose cone. By today’s standards, the Alpine A390 turned out to be relatively compact: length – 4615 mm, width – 1885 mm, and height – quite a passenger car 1532 mm. That is, this crossover is only 32 mm higher than the A290 hatchback. The wheelbase is 2708 mm. A choice of wheels with a diameter of 20 or 21 inches with an original design is offered.
The developers emphasize that, despite the formal status of a sports car, the Alpine A390 has a full-fledged five-seater interior. Like modern Renault models, the front panel combines in one block a horizontal instrument display (12.3 inches) and a vertical 12-inch media system screen. Rich trim with genuine nappa leather and decorative inserts made of real aluminum are declared. The physical climate control panel is preserved. The steering wheel and front Sabelt seats with integrated headrests are equipped with heating. The trunk volume is 532 liters.
The Alpine A390 electric car is built on a modified AmpR Medium platform (previously called CMF-EV), that is, its closest relatives are the Nissan Ariya and Renault Scenic E-Tech crossovers. But the five-door Alpine was the first to acquire a three-motor all-wheel drive: one motor on the front axle and two on the rear. This scheme makes it easy to implement a controlled thrust vector. The initial version of the A390 GT is 400 hp and 650 Nm, and the A390 GTS modification has an increased output of 470 hp and 808 Nm. The maximum speed is 200 and 220 km / h, respectively, and the acceleration time to “hundreds” is 4.8 s and 3.9 s. The electric car is equipped with special sound modes for the electric motors for greater driver involvement. For the first time on Alpine cars, six-piston brakes and 365 mm diameter discs are installed on the front axle. The suspension is spring-loaded, but with hydraulic travel limiters in the shock absorbers.
Both versions of the crossover are equipped with a 400-volt Verkor traction battery made in France. Its capacity is 89 kW h, which is enough for 555 km of travel for cars with 20-inch wheels and 520 km for versions with 21-inch shoes. The maximum charging power is 190 kW. In this mode, replenishing the energy reserve from 15 to 80% will take 25 minutes. The standard on-board rectifier is designed for 11 kW, and the optional one is rated at 22 kW. The curb weight of the crossover is 2121 kg, and an almost ideal weight distribution along the axles is promised: 49% in front and 51% in the back.
The Alpine A390 is not only designed in France, but will also be manufactured at the historic Alpine factory in Dieppe, while neighboring Cleon will manufacture its power units. Even the tires will be supplied by the French company Michelin, and they themselves will be welded according to a special recipe. Sales will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with prices ranging from 65,000 to 76,000 euros.
