Alpine reveals the A390 electric fastback

Renault's sporty brand Alpine is expanding its all-electric "Dream Garage," and its latest offering, the A390 fastback, promises to blend heart-pumping performance with everyday practicality. This five-door electric vehicle is the most family-friendly model from Alpine yet, but don't be fooled - it still packs a punch. The European and UK enthusiasts can mark their calendars for late 2025, but potential American buyers might have to wait, depending on how international trade talks unfold.

The A390 is a striking figure with some interesting roots. It clearly draws inspiration from its nimble A110 coupe sibling but stretches those athletic lines into a more substantial five-door body. It stays remarkably true to the A390_β concept car shown in October 2024, retaining a low, aerodynamic shape and sharp creases. Some of the concept's more extreme styling touches were understandably softened for production, but the final A390 cleverly hides its close relation to Renault Arkana and the electric Renault Megane, with which it shares a lot of its DNA.

Buyers will choose between two launch trims, the GT and the more potent GTS, identifiable by their unique wheel designs and badging. The exterior features a dramatically sloping roofline, distinct fragmented triangle patterns on the front bumper, and sleek full-width LED light bars at both the front and rear. The car rides on either 20 or 21-inch wheels and has 6 inches of ground clearance, with subtle lower cladding hinting at toughness without going full SUV.

The Alpine A390 measures 181.7 inches in length, 74.2 inches in width, and stands 60.3 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 2,708 mm. This makes it shorter by 5.4 inches and lower by 3.62 inches than a Tesla Model Y, putting the A390 between a performance-oriented hatchback and a compact SUV. This careful sizing should offer a sporty feel without sacrificing too much interior space.

Inside, the newest Alpine ditches the concept car's futuristic fantasy for a more grounded five-seat cabin. The dashboard shares a family resemblance with the Renault Megane E-Tech, featuring a 12.3-inch digital display for the driver and a 12-inch central touchscreen for infotainment. Alpine has infused its own character with a unique steering wheel design, a distinct center console, and premium trim materials.

The top-tier GTS trim gets Sabelt bucket seats upholstered in the finest Nappa leather, and all models can be equipped with a powerful 13-speaker, 850-watt Devialet sound system. Practicality hasn't been overlooked, as the A390 offers a respectable 18.8 ft³ cargo area.

The new electric Alpine rides on the AmpR Medium platform, which also serves as the foundation for models like the Renault Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech, and Nissan Ariya. Alpine's engineers, however, haven't just taken the platform as is; they've extensively tuned it with specific hardware and custom software to unlock greater dynamic capabilities.

The star of the show is a sophisticated tri-motor all-wheel-drive system. This setup features one electric motor at the front axle and two at the rear, working in concert with Alpine's Active Torque Vectoring system. The goal is to make this EV feel more agile and responsive than its size and weight might suggest, countering the often-criticized dull handling of some heavier electric cars. The chassis benefits from a dedicated suspension setup with hydraulic stops, reminiscent of the system used in the much-loved Renault Megane RS hot hatch, along with a "very short steering ratio" and bespoke Michelin tires designed specifically for the A390.

Performance figures are certainly encouraging. The A390 GT delivers 396 horsepower, while the GTS version ups the ante to 463 horsepower. Torque is equally impressive, with the GT producing 479 lb-ft and the GTS unleashing 596 lb-ft. This allows the quicker GTS to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 137 mph. For those moments when a quick burst of speed is needed, an "overtake" function provides a 10-second power boost, though it requires a 30-second cooldown period – much like a power-up in a video game.

Both trims are powered by an 89 kWh lithium-ion battery, providing a WLTP-estimated range of 323 miles to 345 miles. When it's time to recharge, the A390 supports DC fast charging up to 190 kW. Drivers can also select between "Daily" and "Sport" Alpine Drive Sound profiles, which generate synthetic driving sounds to match their mood.

Alpine plans to open order books for the A390 in mainland Europe and the United Kingdom in the fourth quarter of 2025. While final pricing is yet to be confirmed, initial estimates suggest the GT will start around $81,000, with the GTS likely commanding about $95,000. This places it in direct competition with rivals such as the Porsche Macan, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron, and BMW iX2.

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