Alpine's Electric Firecracker: The A290 Beta Set to Ignite the Roads in 2024
Now, gather around, everyone. Alpine, bless their cotton socks, have decided to throw their hat into the ring and become one of the big boys. They're standing tall, shouting from the rooftops, "We're not just a one-hit wonder!" and have flung the doors wide open to their "Dream Garage." The first course in their gourmet banquet of ambition is the Alpine A290 Beta.
You may remember the A110 E-ternite from last year, a charming little number. But this new kid on the block is a Renault 5 on steroids, infused with Alpine's magic, and slated to be the backbone of the Renault 5 Turbo. This little spark plug of a car is set to go on sale next year. Yes, you heard that right. 2024 will be the year this electric firecracker will be unleashed upon the roads.
Now, don't get too excited. The one you'll buy won't exactly be the showstopper you see here. The outside, yes. The inside, no. The central driver's seat is just for show, like a peacock's feathers. It's all built on an FIA-approved chassis, while the car that you'll park in your garage will be a more sensible creature, based on the road-going Renault 5 and its CMF-BEV platform.
The show car's got a pair of electric motors upfront, like a pair of overzealous puppies ready to pounce. The production version, however, will offer two power options: a 215 hp motor snatched from the Renault Megane E-Tech, or a newly developed powertrain with 268 hp. Both will be powered by a battery with a promised range of 240 miles, enough for a cheeky little road trip.
With Alpine's magic touch, it'll handle like it's running on rails. The car is only about as long as a cricket pitch, but nearly as wide as a double-decker bus. Its stability and agility will remind you of an oversized go-kart, but this one doesn't need coins to start.
Despite its sporty ambitions, it's still a production vehicle. So, expect things like one-pedal driving, perfect for when you're stuck in city traffic, daydreaming about twisty mountain roads. Those roof-mounted switches, while they may look like they've been nicked from a fighter jet, will have to bow out for more conventional controls. Sadly, the race-inspired steering wheel won't be gracing the production model either.
The A290 Beta, then, is just a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come. And it's a thrill to see Alpine join the ranks of Cupra, AMG, Brabus, Abarth, and Polestar in their quest for mainstream success.
When will you be able to take the A290 for a spin, you ask? Well, 2024 is the magic number, aligning perfectly with the release of the Renault 5. The A290 will be available in Europe and Japan, since apparently, they adore Alpines there. As for the price, well, let's just say you might need to sell a kidney or two. Given the massive transformation required to morph the Renault 5 into the A290, we can expect it to be pricier than the Abarth 500e. That's somewhere in the region of 'Oh dear, I need to remortgage the house,' otherwise known as over €40,000. But hey, who can put a price on happiness?
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
