Alpine A290

The Alpine A290 is a five-door electric hot hatch produced by Alpine, the performance-focused subsidiary of Renault Group. It sits as the entry-level model in Alpine’s EV lineup and occupies the B-segment performance EV class — a narrow but growing category targeting drivers who prioritise driving dynamics over cargo space. It is front-wheel drive across all variants. The A290 is notable for being Alpine’s first hatchback, and while it shares its platform with the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, it features an extensively reworked chassis, wider bodywork, and uniquely tuned underpinnings developed independently by Alpine rather than carried over wholesale.

The A290 uses a 55 kWh gross battery with 52 kWh usable capacity. WLTP-certified range is 236 miles on the top-performing variant, with DC rapid charging capped at 100 kW — enough to complete a 10–80% charge in approximately 30 minutes. AC onboard charging is rated at up to 11 kW, though the base GT variant is limited to 7 kW AC. The cycle figure quoted throughout is WLTP (European standard). A higher-output 270 hp variant has been referenced in manufacturer communications but has not been officially confirmed with a release date — treat that figure as unconfirmed.

UK pricing after the Electric Car Grant runs from £30,245 to £34,245 depending on trim. The pre-grant list price spans £33,500 for the base GT to £37,995 for the GTS+. No official pricing exists for Nigeria or any African market — the A290 is not sold on the continent through authorised channels, and any unit arriving would come via grey-market import from Europe, incurring full import duty, clearing fees, and port charges with no manufacturer warranty support. A rough landed-cost estimate in Lagos would exceed ₦90–100 million depending on exchange rates and duty classification at the time of import, though this is not a confirmed figure. The A290 is realistically suited to urban and peri-urban European commuters or enthusiast buyers who want a performance-flavoured daily driver in a compact package. Within the Renault-Alpine ecosystem, it sits above the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric and below the Alpine A390 (the brand’s upcoming mid-size crossover EV). Its closest external rivals are the MINI Aceman E and the Cupra Born, with the Cupra Born serving as the most direct spec-and-price comparison point.

Alpine A290 Photos

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Full Electric Vehicle Specifications