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Alpine A290 Rallye Is an Electric Hot Hatch You Can Take Racing
Alpine A290 Rallye Is an Electric Hot Hatch You Can Take Racing

Car and Driver

time08-07-2025

  • Automotive
  • Car and Driver

Alpine A290 Rallye Is an Electric Hot Hatch You Can Take Racing

The Alpine A290 Rallye is an electric hot hatch that's built to go racing straight from the factory. Along with 215 hp, the front-wheel-drive EV features better brakes, an FIA-certified roll cage, and a revised suspension. The factory-prepped A290 Rallye also has a hydraulic handbrake for executing tight turns; too bad it's not sold in the United States. Alpine's roots in rally racing can be traced all the way back to 1955 when the French automaker was founded by Jean Rédélé. The Alpine A106 helped put the brand on the motorsports map, and the subsequent A110 cemented its legacy in the 1960s and '70s. Now, Alpine is catering to the next generation of home-grown racers with the A290 Rallye, a factory-prepped electric race car that customers can buy. Based on the Alpine A290 hatchback, the recently revealed Rallye version shares the same platform and powertrain. The latter includes a front-mounted electric motor that makes 215 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque; a ZF-sourced limited-slip differential transmits that power to the front axle. White-painted 18-inch EVO Corse wheels are bolted to each corner, and they're wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport A tires that are only road-legal in Europe. Alpine Alpina The Alpine A290 Rallye also wears a shade of the brand's hallmark blue paint, and it features a distinctive livery that's predominantly white, albeit with red and black accents. Along with glossy black fender flares, the hatchback's hood is matte black and matches the roof, which features a cute little air scoop. The regular A290—itself based on the Renault 5—has handsome proportions, with its muscular boxed fenders and front lights that incorporate X-shaped elements. That all carries over to the race car, which also benefits from upgrades that make it more than just an appearance package. Working with its Viry-Châtillon teams, Alpine and Co. transformed the EV hatch into an FIA-compliant racer. That means it has a welded roll cage and Sabelt racing seats, not to mention a hydraulic handbrake to help the driver quickly navigate hairpin turns. The Rallye's roster of upgrades also includes a reworked suspension with ALP Racing dampers as well as better brakes, specifically a pair of six-piston monoblock front calipers that clamp 13.8-inch rotors. Alpine says the cars have a race-specific ABS calibration too. Despite missing an internal-combustion engine, the electric A290 racer makes fake sounds that are associated with its accelerator position and speed. Alpine If you haven't noticed, Alpine doesn't currently sell new cars in North America, and the A290 Rallye is no different. Our friends across the pond can expect to pay the equivalent of about $70K for the factory-built race car. Alpine said it's planning to organize a single rally event somewhere in France before the end of the year for a limited number of customers to participate. Of course, the A290 racer will be able to independently compete in spec races and open competitions. Eric Stafford Managing Editor, News Eric Stafford's automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si. Read full bio

Alpine's New A390 Is a Performance EV Crossover With French Flair
Alpine's New A390 Is a Performance EV Crossover With French Flair

Auto Blog

time01-06-2025

  • Automotive
  • Auto Blog

Alpine's New A390 Is a Performance EV Crossover With French Flair

Alpine aims to take on the big names In recent years, legendary French performance and sports car brand Alpine has been reimagining itself as a performance-oriented electric car brand. Last year, the Renault-owned marque launched its first electric car, the A290, a compact hatchback designed to be a faster and more agile version of one of its parent company's smallest offerings. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 Tesla sales in Europe drop yet again Watch More But if sales figures are any indication, many electric vehicle customers are opting for the kind of space and usability found in crossovers like Tesla's Model Y and BYD's Seal U. However, Alpine's lineup of electric vehicles is expanding, and its latest offering is its take on other cars from the popular segment. Alpine A390 GTS — Source: Alpine Meet the A390, the electric 'sport fastback' Alpine has recently unveiled the A390, a five-door electric crossover that it insists you call a 'sport fastback.' Based almost entirely on the A390_β (beta) concept, the new Alpine takes some crucial styling cues from its A110 sports car and remixes them into a package that looks a little more futuristically aggressive and edgy than most crossovers on the road. From the outside, the A390 slightly resembles the A110, as subtle and sporty features like hidden and flush door handles and a sloped roof give the top half of the crossover the same distinct shape. At the same time, Alpine has also given the A390 some aggressive looks to separate itself from its 'egg-shaped' competition, including triangular-shaped LED cutouts, pencil-thin headlights, and oversized air intakes on the front bumper. Alpine A390 GTS — Source: Alpine Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The A390 may blend modern and futuristic styling, but it is Alpine's biggest car ever. Its raw numbers show that it has a 106.6-inch wheelbase and measures 181.7 inches in length, 74.2 inches in width, and 60.3 inches in height. Underneath the stylish skin, Alpine proves that it means business with its performance. The new A390 rides on Renault's AmpR Medium platform, which is also used in the Renault Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech, and the Nissan Ariya. However, it features some tweaks for a better driving experience, including an all-wheel drive system with an Active Torque Vectoring system to enhance its handling in the corners. Alpine A390 GTS — Source: Alpine Its power matches its looks The A390 comes in two different trims: the GT and GTS. Both feature a tri-motor setup with one motor in the front and two in the back. The base GT model delivers 396 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, capable of 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph. Conversely, the GTS makes 463 hp and a massive 596 lb-ft of torque, cutting the 0-60 time to just 3.9 seconds and bumping the top speed to 137 mph. Both versions use an 89 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides 323 to 345 miles of WLTP range and can be charged at charging stations offering up to 190 kW DC fast charging. The A390 also features a steering wheel-mounted 'overtake' function that provides a boost of power for approximately 10 seconds, although it takes 30 seconds to cool down before it can be used again. In addition, Alpine's two distinct 'Drive Sound' profiles, called 'Daily' and 'Sport,' feature different synthetic engine sounds that can be adjusted according to your mood or throttle position. Alpine A390 GTS — Source: Alpine The Alpine A390 shares much of its interior with other Alpine and Renault models, including familiar bits like the steering wheel, drive selector, and dashboard electronics. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch 'portrait mode' infotainment screen with some physical switches are pointed toward the driver. However, some Alpine-specific features suggest this is a more premium offering than other models. Top-of-the-line A390 GTSs get Nappa leather Sabelt bucket seats with massage functionality and a 13-speaker, 850-watt Devialet audio system. Pricing has not been announced yet, but it's pegged to be competitive against electric rivals like the $75,300 Porsche Macan Electric and the $109,000 Maserati Grecale Folgore. Alpine A390 GTS — Source: Alpine Final thoughts Alpine is currently offering the A390 solely in Europe, as it is putting its plans to expand to the U.S. on hold due to the tariff situation. Initially, the brand was due to launch in the States during the 2027 model year. Politics aside, French cars are an anomaly in the United States. Though established car enthusiasts may stray away, I can picture a new generation of well-to-do people searching for the avant-garde, adopting the Alpine as their vehicle of choice.

Alpine's New A390 Is a Performance EV Crossover With French Flair
Alpine's New A390 Is a Performance EV Crossover With French Flair

Miami Herald

time30-05-2025

  • Automotive
  • Miami Herald

Alpine's New A390 Is a Performance EV Crossover With French Flair

In recent years, legendary French performance and sports car brand Alpine has been reimagining itself as a performance-oriented electric car brand. Last year, the Renault-owned marque launched its first electric car, the A290, a compact hatchback designed to be a faster and more agile version of one of its parent company's smallest offerings. But if sales figures are any indication, many electric vehicle customers are opting for the kind of space and usability found in crossovers like Tesla's Model Y and BYD's Seal U. However, Alpine's lineup of electric vehicles is expanding, and its latest offering is its take on other cars from the popular segment. Alpine has recently unveiled the A390, a five-door electric crossover that it insists you call a "sport fastback." Based almost entirely on the A390_β (beta) concept, the new Alpine takes some crucial styling cues from its A110 sports car and remixes them into a package that looks a little more futuristically aggressive and edgy than most crossovers on the road. From the outside, the A390 slightly resembles the A110, as subtle and sporty features like hidden and flush door handles and a sloped roof give the top half of the crossover the same distinct shape. At the same time, Alpine has also given the A390 some aggressive looks to separate itself from its 'egg-shaped' competition, including triangular-shaped LED cutouts, pencil-thin headlights, and oversized air intakes on the front bumper. The A390 may blend modern and futuristic styling, but it is Alpine's biggest car ever. Its raw numbers show that it has a 106.6-inch wheelbase and measures 181.7 inches in length, 74.2 inches in width, and 60.3 inches in height. Underneath the stylish skin, Alpine proves that it means business with its performance. The new A390 rides on Renault's AmpR Medium platform, which is also used in the Renault Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech, and the Nissan Ariya. However, it features some tweaks for a better driving experience, including an all-wheel drive system with an Active Torque Vectoring system to enhance its handling in the corners. The A390 comes in two different trims: the GT and GTS. Both feature a tri-motor setup with one motor in the front and two in the back. The base GT model delivers 396 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, capable of 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph. Conversely, the GTS makes 463 hp and a massive 596 lb-ft of torque, cutting the 0-60 time to just 3.9 seconds and bumping the top speed to 137 mph. Both versions use an 89 kWh lithium-ion battery that provides 323 to 345 miles of WLTP range and can be charged at charging stations offering up to 190 kW DC fast charging. The A390 also features a steering wheel-mounted "overtake" function that provides a boost of power for approximately 10 seconds, although it takes 30 seconds to cool down before it can be used again. In addition, Alpine's two distinct "Drive Sound" profiles, called "Daily" and "Sport," feature different synthetic engine sounds that can be adjusted according to your mood or throttle position. The Alpine A390 shares much of its interior with other Alpine and Renault models, including familiar bits like the steering wheel, drive selector, and dashboard electronics. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch "portrait mode" infotainment screen with some physical switches are pointed toward the driver. However, some Alpine-specific features suggest this is a more premium offering than other models. Top-of-the-line A390 GTSs get Nappa leather Sabelt bucket seats with massage functionality and a 13-speaker, 850-watt Devialet audio system. Pricing has not been announced yet, but it's pegged to be competitive against electric rivals like the $75,300 Porsche Macan Electric and the $109,000 Maserati Grecale Folgore. Alpine is currently offering the A390 solely in Europe, as it is putting its plans to expand to the U.S. on hold due to the tariff situation. Initially, the brand was due to launch in the States during the 2027 model year. Politics aside, French cars are an anomaly in the United States. Though established car enthusiasts may stray away, I can picture a new generation of well-to-do people searching for the avant-garde, adopting the Alpine as their vehicle of choice. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Alpine Australia puts its hand up for 1000hp V6 hybrid Ferrari rival
Alpine Australia puts its hand up for 1000hp V6 hybrid Ferrari rival

The Advertiser

time29-05-2025

  • Automotive
  • The Advertiser

Alpine Australia puts its hand up for 1000hp V6 hybrid Ferrari rival

Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric-rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: "We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. "We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars," Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. "We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally," said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027. MORE: Everything Alpine Content originally sourced from: Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric-rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: "We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. "We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars," Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. "We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally," said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027. MORE: Everything Alpine Content originally sourced from: Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric-rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: "We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. "We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars," Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. "We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally," said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027. MORE: Everything Alpine Content originally sourced from: Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric-rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: "We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. "We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars," Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. "We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally," said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027. MORE: Everything Alpine Content originally sourced from:

Alpine Australia puts its hand up for 1000hp V6 hybrid Ferrari rival
Alpine Australia puts its hand up for 1000hp V6 hybrid Ferrari rival

7NEWS

time29-05-2025

  • Automotive
  • 7NEWS

Alpine Australia puts its hand up for 1000hp V6 hybrid Ferrari rival

Alpine's stunning 2022 Alpenglow concept appears to be the inspiration for an all-new supercar that could find its way into Australian showrooms. The French performance brand owned by Renault yesterday announced its return to Australian showrooms, which will be led by the Porsche Macan Electric -rivalling Alpine A390 battery-electric fastback that's now officially due on sale here in 2026 or 2027. When asked about the chances of the as-yet-unnamed supercar arriving in local showrooms, Alpine Australia general manager Glen Sealey told CarExpert: 'We are very excited about the return of the Alpine brand in Australia, and we have our hand up for every vehicle that would be available to this market.' Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Whether the supercar will be produced in right-hand drive, making it available to Australia and key Alpine markets including the United Kingdom (UK), is yet to be confirmed. But the A390 crossover is expected to be joined here by at least the next-generation Alpine A110 coupe, which was also teased under a sheet this week and will switch from petrol to battery-electric electric power when it's launched in 2026. The previous A110, and by extension the Alpine brand itself, was axed in Australia in 2021 due to side impact regulations. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief – who previously worked at Ferrari – revealed the French automaker intends to introduce the flagship model in 2028, powered by a V6 petrol engine and a pair of electric motors. In sharing the news, the Alpine chief emphasised the brand will not be going all-electric anytime soon, despite offering only electric powertrains in its A290 and A390 as well as the next-generation A110 due next year. 'We are not selling electric cars. We are selling sporty cars, passion cars, exclusive cars,' Mr Krief said at the launch of the A390. The supercar's petrol V6 will send drive to the rear wheels, with both electric motors mounted to the front axle, making the yet-to-be-named supercar all-wheel drive. The powertrain will be developed by the automaker's Hypertech division, based at the legendary Formula 1 engine-building facility in Viry-Châtillon, France. The Alpine F1 team – which recently dropped Australian Jack Doohan after only a handful of races in 2025 – will switch from its own engine to Mercedes-Benz sourced powertrains from the 2026 season. Alpine is targeting 1000hp (746kW) from the V6 hybrid combination – more than the output of the standard Ferrari SF90 Stradale plug-in hybrid supercar, which was developed while Mr Krief was working at the Italian brand. The standard SF90 – no longer in production – used three electric motors and a turbocharged V8 to make its total of 736kW, and offered power-to-weight of 469kW/tonne. The target weight of the Alpine supercar is 1600kg, which is close to the SF90's 1570kg figure, and should enable it to produce performance competitive with the Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, and is said to reach 200km/h in only 6.7 seconds on its way to a 340km/h top speed. Alpine is set to take advantage of its F1 racing team in the development of new models for its road car division as it looks to build the brand globally. 'We are going to create a lot more links than traditionally,' said Mr Krief. First announced in mid-2023, Alpine's 'revolution' plan includes a goal to become a truly global brand. Renault's performance brand is targeting break-even financials by 2026, before its global expansion from 2027.

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