The introduction of the Alpine A390 signals a pivotal moment in the discourse around the performance car typology, offering a definitive answer to the question of how driving pleasure translates into the electric sport fastback era. Rather than merely being an electrified replacement, this vehicle is a considered piece of architecture—a ‘racing car in a suit’—that expands the legacy of the A110 into a versatile, five-passenger format. The challenge for Alpine’s design studio was maintaining the brand’s core DNA of lightness and agility while accommodating a sophisticated AWD system and the demands of modern utility.
Visually, the A390’s design language is a masterclass in controlled surfacing and aerodynamic efficiency. The profile consciously echoes the iconic, reductive form of the A110, ensuring its heritage is instantly recognizable even from a distance. Critical technology is integrated directly into the form: a sculpted bonnet blade manages airflow, while the aggressive rear features an LMDh-inspired diffuser—a clear reference to the world of endurance racing—that grounds the vehicle’s high-performance intent. The front lighting, dubbed ‘Cosmic Dust,’ functions as a piece of automotive art, using a distinct cluster of illuminated triangles to provide a unique, modern identity.
The functional innovation underpinning the A390 is its pioneering powertrain architecture. As Alpine’s first vehicle with an AWD system, it employs three electric motors—one at the front axle and two at the rear—creating a sophisticated digital backbone for dynamic control. This configuration is the exclusive mechanism for the patented Alpine Active Torque Vectoring (AATV), a crucial technology that prioritizes dynamism and agility. The engineering choice emphasizes driving feel over pure velocity figures, ensuring the vehicle’s prodigious power—up to 470 ps in the GTS version—is delivered with surgical precision, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in a scant 3.9 seconds.
Inside, the environment is framed as a sporty cocoon, meticulously crafted to be a driver-oriented cockpit without sacrificing the comfort required of a grand tourer. The materiality palette is intentionally elevated, employing Nappa Bleu leather and Alcantara microfibre throughout the cabin. The centerpiece of the driver’s interface is the twin high-definition screen array (12.3-inch and 12-inch). For the ultimate expression of performance, the optional Alpine Sport seats by Sabelt are specified with carbon twill or forged carbon inserts, establishing a sophisticated haptic dialogue with the lightweight structural elements of the dashboard.
The vehicle’s sophisticated technology extends deep into its digital landscape and power management. The infotainment stack is built upon the Android Automotive operating system and presented via the dedicated Alpine Portal, offering an intuitive, connected experience. Auditory design is handled in collaboration with French acoustic specialists at the Devialet audio system, providing an 850-watt, 12-speaker-plus-subwoofer setup that guarantees an immersive soundscape. This digital integration is complemented by a comprehensive electric ecosystem that includes V2G bidirectional charging (in France) and a bespoke EV route planner integrated into Google Maps.
Equipped with an 89 kWh battery, the Alpine A390 achieves an impressive WLTP range of up to 557 km—a crucial metric for its fastback utility. The vehicle also supports a rapid DC fast charging capacity of up to 190 kW, minimizing downtime and maximizing its functional potential as a daily driver. Engineered and constructed entirely at Alpine’s historic facility in Dieppe, France, the A390 successfully reinvents the brand’s fundamental tenets, positioning its distinctive design and focused technology at the vanguard of the electric mobility shift.