Alpine A390 road test of the 400-horsepower electric saloon

Alpine breaks out of its classic mould and embraces new horizons with the introduction of a saloon, five-door and electric car in the range. However, its sporty nature is confirmed thanks to the combined work of three electric motors that provide true sports car power. We were in Malaga, Spain, to test it on the road, in the Gt version, the least powerful but still capable of giving a good driving feeling. Arrival on the market is planned for next spring and the list price has not yet been announced.

Developed from the Ampere medium platform, the Alpine A390 offers completely new dimensions for the brand, 4,615 mm long, 2,055 mm wide and 1,525 mm high with a wheelbase of 2,708 mm. Thanks to the on-board space and flat floor, up to five people can travel comfortably. While the load capacity is 532 litres and can be increased to 1,643 litres by folding down the rear seatback. Its coupe-like saloon styling favours a low aerodynamic coefficient although the sloping rear door opening reduces onboard space as does the rear view. There are numerous badges on the bodywork that recall the brand, the version and also the transalpine nationality, given the presence of the French flag. The handles are retractable, a useful detail on an electric car as it favours a reduced aerodynamic coefficient. Six body colours are available, where of course there is no lack of Alpine blue, the brand's typical shade. Its sporty character is underlined by the wheels available in sizes from 20 to 21 inches.

Inside the cabin, there is a marked care in the choice of materials, all of high quality, and also an almost handcrafted attention to detail, such as the Alcantara A-pillar trim. In terms of technology, the driver can count on a 12.3-inch digital dashboard and, in the centre of the dashboard, there is a 12-inch vertical touchscreen that is very intuitive to use. We appreciated that the transalpine engineers decided to keep the climate control analogue, with the presence of practical and functional wheels. Confirmed on the central tunnel are the three buttons for managing the gearbox, an elegant choice that saves space in favour of the storage compartments always appreciated on board. There are two special features on the steering wheel: the first is a red lever located above the right-hand spoke that acts as a boost, i.e., by pressing it it is possible to have extra power, useful in overtaking or for making sprightly starts. While the second is located in the lower left area of the steering wheel and is a blue knob used to manage the degree of regenerative braking, which reaches the One Pedal level.

There are two versions available in the price list, the Gt and the Gts. For our first contact, we drove the Gt, equipped with three electric motors, one at the front and two at the rear, which, working together, provide all-wheel drive, a first for an Alpine car. Despite weighing over 2100 kg, the A390 has retained some of the brand's typical sporty characteristics, 0-100 is covered in 4.8 seconds and the top speed is 200 km/h. Powering the electric motors is an 89 kWh lithium-ion battery that gives a claimed range of 503 to 557 km (Wltp homologation cycle) depending on the size of the wheels fitted. On the route travelled, we found consumption in line with the manufacturer's claims: between 18.7 and 20.4 kWh/100 km. As far as recharging is concerned, it is possible to use alternating current at an output of 11 kW (optional 22 kW) or direct current at 150 kW.