Alpine A390: We were able to discover the high -end and sports electric crossover
While Alpine still had only one model in its ranks a few months ago, the Renault group’s sports brand began the launch of a new electric range called Dream Garage. L’A290derived from Renault 5 e-techwas the first representative. From now on, the brand lifts the veil on an electric car, the A390, which does not derive directly from a Renault model.
Difficult to classify, the A390 is described by Alpine as a “sport fastback”. Rather, it will be put in the somewhat catch-all category of crossovers with a height not much more important than certain sedans (1.53 m), but obvious inspirations in the world of SUVs.
The A390 is 4.62 m long, 9 cm less than the hybrid cut SUV Renault RafaleFor example. His style had been prefigured by the concept A390_β. If the proportions are almost unchanged on the production model, the designers still sat down the lines and simplified certain artifices. If we often complain, the series version here avoids the caricatural side of the concept and ultimately seems more harmonious.
There is a light banner at the front and the rear, with a lighted logo on the stern as now allows legislation. The C amounts, which integrate a French flag, are inspired by the A110 Berlinette.
The A390_β concept gave an overview of the exterior design close to the series, but its interior was much more extravagant and freed from production constraints. It was therefore long to discover the interior of the final model, the first to be derived from a Renault production since the A110 released in 2017.
While the latter was criticized for its ventilation commands shared with the Clio 4, the A390 completely takes a similar dashboard to many Renault models. Admittedly, the finishes are quite good and this interior is generally successful, but we would have liked the opportunity to have been given in Alpine to draw an interior of a white sheet.
We will console ourselves with a specific steering wheel in Alpine, taken up from the A290, always with an RCH command to adjust the energy recovery at foot and OV, which inflates the maximum power for up to 10 s.
The central console is also typical of the brand of Dieppe, taking up the walking selector of other models in the range. The coatings are also specific to Alpine, as well as the seats, already pretty on the GT model that we have photographed, while the high -end GTS is equipped with bucket seats signed Sabelt.
The infodivement under Android Automotive OS is very pleasant to use and provides access to telemetry data, or even challenges to be carried out on a circuit. Two artificial motor sounds can be chosen or completely deactivated. Only the external sound warning (AVAS) remains active at low speed, in accordance with the regulations.
At the rear, this first family alpine is sufficiently generous in knee space, despite a wheelbase of 2.71 m voluntarily shortened for more agility. The floor is however high, as often on board electric cars, which is not very comfortable. The roof guard is sufficient for adults, but not more than 1.90 m because of the fleeing pavilion.
The trunk is announced for a volume of 532 l, but it is certainly less according to the VDA standard usually used.
With a fairly high walk, the A390 will not become the most practical model in its category, but its vocation is elsewhere.
The acceleration of an A110 R, the weight of two
The A390 takes up the AMPR Medium platform (formerly CMF-EV) dedicated to electric, which it shares in particular with the Megane and Scenic E-Tech. His technical sheet, however, has much to do with three electric motors, one at the front and two at the rear, which allow him to offer four-wheel drive and a system of Vectoring torque which promises to be quite evolved. The GT version develops 400 hp and 650 Nm, while the GTS model climbs to 470 hp and 808 Nm. This high -end version thus promises a 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 s, the same time as a A110 R.
But this flattering comparison stops at the “weight” line of the technical sheet. The A390 indeed accuses a mass of 2121 kg on the scale, almost double the berlinette in its radical version (1082 kg). Hopefully that the brand’s engineers manage to forget this mass, which promises to be at least well distributed, with 49 % at the front and 51 % at the rear. The A390 does not take advantage of rear steering wheels, which could have participated in its dynamism, nor of pneumatic or piloted depreciation, preferring less expensive hydraulic stop suspension. Needless to say, we can’t wait to try it.
The A390 is equipped with a large, 89 kWh battery useful. From chemistry lithium-ion NMC, its cells are provided by French Verkor and South Korean LG. Thus equipped, the crossover announces up to 555 km of WLTP autonomy. On the recharging side, the peak power does not exceed 190 kW, allowing to go from 15 to 80 % load in less than 25 min from Alpine. It’s good, but not exceptional.
The A390 is assembled in Dieppe, in the same factory as the A110, which had to be adapted to accommodate the production of the crossover. Its engines are made in Cléon and its battery pack is assembled in Douai, from which the sheet metalie of the model is also transported.
The Alpine A390 will specify its final rates when it was commercially expected, expected next fall. It is currently announced by the brand at prices between 65,000 and € 76,000. The Cupra Tavascan, one of its closest rivals, is billed € 64,930 in VZ version with two engines. However, it offers an entry -level propulsion version almost € 20,000 cheaper.
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