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Pros: Hot hatch styling, fun to drive, smart cabin.
Cons: Limited rear space, cabin storage.
We test the new Alpine A290 on Irish roads, the second model from Renault's performance sub-brand to reach Ireland.
Alpine A290 Design
The A290 is Alpine’s first fully electric car to come to market and should broaden the brand's appeal beyond the slinky but expensive two-seat A110 sports coupe. While it shares its battery and underpinnings with the Renault 5, this is no simple badge job. Alpine's engineers set to work to create a new performance icon with special chassis and suspension tuning, better tyres and brakes, and more powerful electric motors.
Visually, it's aggressive and muscular, with styling nods to Alpine’s racing heritage like the rally-inspired quad headlights with X motif and bulging wheel arches. The colour palette is quite stark too with a choice of black, white, grey or signature Alpine Vision Blue. Large sills give the A290 real presence whether parked or on the road. 19-inch alloy wheels are standard across the range and look particularly sharp on the top-spec GTS model finished with blue Brembo brake calipers and Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.
Alpine A290 Interior
While the cabin shares similarities with the 5, the A290 feels more luxurious inside with a dark blue colour theme, more soft-touch padding and gorgeous Nappa leather sports seats in blue and grey for the GTS and GT Premium. The steering wheel is F1-inspired, trimmed in Nappa leather and features controls for drive modes, regenerative braking and a unique "Overtake" paddle that delivers a boost of maximum power. Like the 5, a Google-based infotainment system offers seamless smartphone connectivity and navigation, while track enthusiasts can enjoy built-in performance telemetrics in higher versions with live data, coaching and challenges. Other features include wireless phone charging, heated front seats, automatic climate control and a reversing camera. Cabin storage is minimal and there are no traditional cupholders, but overall it feels sporty and sophisticated.
Despite its performance focus, the A290 still offers a usable amount of space for daily duties. The boot capacity stands at 326 litres, or 300 litres if you opt for versions with the upgraded audio system: a big step up from the A110’s limited luggage space.
Space is tight in the back, unsurprising for a supermini-sized hot hatch. But Isofix points are present on the front passenger seat and both outer rear seats.
Alpine A290 Performance & Drive
This is where the A290 truly stands out. Built on Renault’s AmpR platform, Alpine engineers have thoroughly reworked it for sharper handling and more engagement. The chassis, suspension, and steering have all been fine-tuned to deliver a proper Alpine driving experience along with Brembo brakes and stickier tyres.
The GT and GT Premium produce 180hp, but both the GT Performance and GTS boost output to 220hp and 300Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels, and the A290 can sprint from 0–100km/h in just 6.4 seconds. Four drive modes - Save, Normal, Sport and Personal - tailor the car’s behaviour to your preferences, while the Overtake paddle offers an instant hit of peak performance. There’s even launch control for spirited getaways and selectable synthetic engine sounds to add extra drama.
On Irish roads, the A290 feels significantly sharper than its Renault 5 sibling. The wider track, lightweight design (1,479kg) and bespoke suspension tune with hydraulic bump stops make for a car that’s fun and agile without compromising on comfort. It delivers a sporty tight turn-in when cornering and remains composed as you go around the bend. But the GTS does have a tendency to torque steer under full power and combined with greasy roads, it can be hard to put all the power down smoothly.
The A290 uses a 52kWh battery with up to 380 kilometres of range (WLTP) or 364 kilometres in more powerful 220hp versions, so the added spice does impact range and efficiency. Still, charging is good with up to 11kW AC possible and 100kW DC fast charging, for a 15–80% top-up in about 30 minutes. There’s also vehicle-to-load functionality for powering other devices.
Alpine A290 Pricing
The Alpine A290 range starts at around €36,690 for the GT or from €39,690 for the GT Premium with more gear. For that extra punch, there's the 220hp GT Performance from €38,990 and the GTS from €42,500. There's also currently a fully-loaded Premiere Edition from €44,700.
Carzone Verdict
The A290 captures Alpine's racing spirit and engineering expertise but in a more practical and accessible package than what we've seen before from this brand - and it's priced well for the Irish market to grab some attention. We think the A290 is a hugely appealing car for driving enthusiasts ready to make the switch to electric, or simply anyone after something fast and fun.