Latest news with #AlpineA390
Newsweek
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Pierre Gasly Responds To Alpine's Leadership Turmoil
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Alpine's Pierre Gasly addressed the announcement regarding the departure of Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo, who is stepping down and removing himself from the company. De Meo restarted the Renault racing project, bringing the French racing outfit back on the grid and shaping the current-day direction of the company as a whole. The Italian is leaving at a turbulent time for Alpine, which is stopping its power unit development, opting instead to be a Mercedes customer team. French football legend and coach Zinedine Zidane, French Formula one driver Pierre Gasly, CEO Renault group Luca de Meo and Alpine CEP Philippe Krieff pose next to an Alpine A390 electric car during the ceremony... French football legend and coach Zinedine Zidane, French Formula one driver Pierre Gasly, CEO Renault group Luca de Meo and Alpine CEP Philippe Krieff pose next to an Alpine A390 electric car during the ceremony marking its World premiere in Dieppe, northwestern France, on May 27, 2025. More Photo byPeople around the team are raising concerns about the direction of the F1 team going forward - Gasly being chief among them. "First of all, I think I need to have all the information. I have a very good relationship with Luca, he was the one that took me into the team, and I think he's a very inspiring person," Gasly said after the Canadian Grand Prix. "So obviously, first reaction is that I'm very sad to see him leave. "I'm sure he's got some good reasons. And I think at the end, for us as a team - even though not everything is great at the moment - there's still a lot of positives happening at the factory." Gasly joined Alpine in 2023, finally departing the Red Bull Racing program and opting for a fresh start at a French team. He is now the clear-cut leader of the team in terms of results and experience. Gasly is one of the best drivers on the grid. The Frenchman finishes higher than expected, provides solid technical feedback, all while avoiding mistakes and acting as the face of the team. Now that his team is in turmoil, Gasly is once again rallying the team, asking for their trust amid all the uncertainty. "For me, it's important that we keep that momentum going into '26, because the picture and the performance could be very different. And we need to keep that in mind," he said. "And I think it's important for all of us to stick as a team and stick together in these types of moments. "And, you know, rely on each other and just trust the long game."
Perth Now
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Value-hungry Aussies will benefit from even more auto brands, says BYD
Australia is already home to more automotive brands than any other country, making it one of the world's most competitive auto markets as well as one of the smallest, but Chinese giant BYD says value-focused local consumers will benefit from even more of them as brand loyalty disappears amid the cost of living crisis. 'Australia has the most brands available in any market, but I think what we're seeing is a shift in understanding as well,' BYD Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Kate Hornstein told CarExpert. 'The walls are coming down to new brands. I think brand loyalty is somewhat disappearing, and I think Australians are very driven, especially in today's climate, by value and what their own personal family needs. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'By being able to give them choice and more options, it's only going to be better for the customer.' BYD launched in Australia in 2022 and has since announced it will bring its Denza luxury brand – which will play a similar role for BYD as Lexus does for Toyota – to showrooms before the end of 2025. While it hasn't announced any others, BYD also has its Yangwang and Fangchengbao brands in China, and models from each are on the cards for Australia – although they will likely be sold as BYD or Denza models. Other Chinese automakers have also brought several brands to Australia, including Chery which recently launched its Omoda Jaecoo brand and potentially has more to come. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The first Geely-badged model – the EX5 mid-size electric SUV – went on sale here in March 2025, adding to other Geely owned or controlled brand already present locally including Volvo, Polestar, Smart and Zeekr. While many more are coming here, Australia currently has about 70 auto brands, despite the exit of several in relatively recent years including Holden, Daewoo, Daihatsu, Dodge, Chrysler, Citroen, Opel and Alpine, which will make a comeback in 2026 with the Alpine A390 hatch. In the space of less than five years, Australia will have added about a dozen new Chinese brands, providing more choice for consumers than ever, but also forcing each automaker to fight over a relatively small sales pie – 1.2 million total sales across all brands in 2024. That compares to roughly 30 million new vehicle sales annually in China, 16 million in the US, 2.8 million in Germany and 1.95 million in the UK. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Chinese automaker MG became a top-10 selling brand for the first time Down Under in July 2021. It's now firmly entrenched here and will launch its IM Motors premium electric brand here later this year. IM Motors is to MG what Denza is to BYD, which previously stated plans to eclipse local market leader Toyota by 2027. Ms Hornstein says Denza will be another alternative to luxury marques primarily from Germany. 'When we look at Denza, the [luxury car] segment is largely populated by European brands and I think when we look at cost of ownership, initial outlay, cost of extended ownership, it's incredibly expensive for Australians just given where we are geographically,' she said. 'So I think what this provides is another option for customers to explore when they are in the market for a car.' MORE: Everything BYD
7NEWS
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Value-hungry Aussies will benefit from even more auto brands, says BYD
Australia is already home to more automotive brands than any other country, making it one of the world's most competitive auto markets as well as one of the smallest, but Chinese giant BYD says value-focused local consumers will benefit from even more of them as brand loyalty disappears amid the cost of living crisis. 'Australia has the most brands available in any market, but I think what we're seeing is a shift in understanding as well,' BYD Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Kate Hornstein told CarExpert. 'The walls are coming down to new brands. I think brand loyalty is somewhat disappearing, and I think Australians are very driven, especially in today's climate, by value and what their own personal family needs. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 'By being able to give them choice and more options, it's only going to be better for the customer.' BYD launched in Australia in 2022 and has since announced it will bring its Denza luxury brand – which will play a similar role for BYD as Lexus does for Toyota – to showrooms before the end of 2025. While it hasn't announced any others, BYD also has its Yangwang and Fangchengbao brands in China, and models from each are on the cards for Australia – although they will likely be sold as BYD or Denza models. Other Chinese automakers have also brought several brands to Australia, including Chery which recently launched its Omoda Jaecoo brand and potentially has more to come. The first Geely -badged model – the EX5 mid-size electric SUV – went on sale here in March 2025, adding to other Geely owned or controlled brand already present locally including Volvo, Polestar, Smart and Zeekr. While many more are coming here, Australia currently has about 70 auto brands, despite the exit of several in relatively recent years including Holden, Daewoo, Daihatsu, Dodge, Chrysler, Citroen, Opel and Alpine, which will make a comeback in 2026 with the Alpine A390 hatch. In the space of less than five years, Australia will have added about a dozen new Chinese brands, providing more choice for consumers than ever, but also forcing each automaker to fight over a relatively small sales pie – 1.2 million total sales across all brands in 2024. That compares to roughly 30 million new vehicle sales annually in China, 16 million in the US, 2.8 million in Germany and 1.95 million in the UK. Chinese automaker MG became a top-10 selling brand for the first time Down Under in July 2021. It's now firmly entrenched here and will launch its IM Motors premium electric brand here later this year. IM Motors is to MG what Denza is to BYD, which previously stated plans to eclipse local market leader Toyota by 2027. Ms Hornstein says Denza will be another alternative to luxury marques primarily from Germany. 'When we look at Denza, the [luxury car] segment is largely populated by European brands and I think when we look at cost of ownership, initial outlay, cost of extended ownership, it's incredibly expensive for Australians just given where we are geographically,' she said. 'So I think what this provides is another option for customers to explore when they are in the market for a car.'
NZ Autocar
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Alpine A390 electric SUV has three motors, gobs of power
Alpine's first electric SUV we previewed earlier this year, and now the A390 has disrobed in all its glory. Hardly the shy and retiring type, the Alpine A390 is a Porsche Macan competitor. It features a 'Sport Fastback' look, three motors, active torque vectoring and up to 346kW. Alpine says it will have similar dynamics to its lightweight sports car, the A110. And it will have the speed of an A110R. This has plenty of traits first expressed in the concept vehicle, including a full-width light bar and slim DRLs. Air openings are less obvious than before while styling is classically attractive. Up front is a black badge while headlights are part of the bumper. Alloy wheels and sill cladding are like those of the concept car. Front door handles are flush while those at the rear are within the C pillar. Behind the tailgate is a 532L boot, similar to Macan's. In profile the A390 has a fastback roofline. It rides on the AmpR Medium platform shared with Scenic and Ariya. The A390 measures up at 4615mm long, 1885mm wide and 1532mm tall, similar but smaller all round than Macan. Other rivals include Cupra Tavascan, Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6. All models feature an 89kWh battery good for up to 546km of range. DC fast charging up to 190kW is possible, meaning a 15-80 per cent top up in less than 25min. Up to 22kW of AC charging is possible. GT and GTS models have 295kW/650Nm and 346kW/808Nm, respectively. Claimed 0-100 times are 4.8sec and 3.9sec, outsprinting a Macan 4S. A dual-motor version may arrive later. Alpine says the A390 is a 'true five-seater sports car', albeit one that weighs in at over 2.1 tonnes. One of the five drive modes is a Track setting dedicated to dynamics (stability systems in the background only). With 'Alpine Drive Sound' engaged there are two distinct soundtracks, neither of which attempts to replicate ICE power. There are no fake gear changes either. Helping with the drive is a 49:51 front:rear weight distribution, and a low centre of gravity afforded by the low mounted battery pack. Suspension is a passive system while there are performance brakes. Four-wheel steering was ruled out to enhance driver focus. Inside, the A390 features a Scenic-inspired dashboard design, with twin screens angled towards the driver. There's also Google-based infotainment, and data showing lateral and longitudinal G-forces. A hexagonal F1 steering wheel gets an OVR overtake button and adjustable regenerative braking dial. Sabelt bucket seats covered in Nappa leather will be standard on the GTS. Prices are expected to start at around $NZ135,000 in models with three motors and active torque vectoring. First deliveries are expected in Q2 of 2026. he A390 is another of seven new EVs that Alpine is hoping to launch by 2030. A290 launched recently. Two more SUVs are due in 2027 and 2028, the largest of which should rival the Porsche Cayenne. Also on the way is the next iteration of the Alpine A110 sports car, which will be followed by a roadster version and a Taycan-teasing four-seat sports coupé (A310). The latter and the new A110 will evidently use in-wheel motor technology and an aluminium platform for significant weight reduction (less than ICE power designs). Design chief, Laurens van den Acker said: 'With a motor in the wheels, you have more room for either luggage or footwells or for sliding your seat backwards or forwards.' n-wheel motors for Renault/Alpine will debut in the R5 Turbo due next year. It evidently boasts almost 5000Nm of torque from its dual in-wheel rear motors. No production car yet has in-wheel motor tech but Protean and Yasa are both developing systems for sale.
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
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. 2022 Alpine Alpenglow concept Credit: CarExpert 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. 2026 Alpine 110 EV teaser Credit: CarExpert 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. 2025 Alpine A390 Credit: CarExpert 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 CEO Philippe Krief Credit: CarExpert 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. Alpine A390, A290 and A110 Credit: CarExpert 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. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 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
