Breaking out of the niche: The Alpine A390, a family-friendly sports powerhouse
Alpine's New Release: Breaking Away from Exclusive Circle
If you're familiar with Alpine, you probably know them for light sports cars or solid GT models. But the French brand is shaking things up with their new offering - a powerful family sportster, the A390. Let's delve into what sets this unique vehicle apart.
In the beginning, Alpine might not have been Jean Rédelé's vision for the brand's future. But Rédelé was a young, dynamic force when SUVs were still a mystery. Times have changed, and SUVs, along with electric powertrains, are now part of the mix for anyone looking to break out of a niche. And that's exactly the path that Alpine is treading with the A390. To be perfectly honest, some of us were already tipped off about this change with the Concept A390_β.
Now, after years, we finally see an independent Alpine model back on the road. While it might not be as flashy as the concept and may carry a touch more conventionality, it still offers a personalized touch with its distinctive humpback roof, LED light displays in the rear, illuminated branding, and tri-color accents on the C-pillar.
So will the A390 be the ticket to a strong sales boost for Alpine? With its pure electric powertrain, it could be a tricky question to answer. But let's take a closer look at the powertrain to see how it stacks up.
The A390 isn't shy about its power. Depending on the trim, it offers 294 kW/400 hp (GT) and 345 kW/470 hp (GTS), with a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 4.8 seconds (GT) and an incredible 3.9 seconds (GTS). It boasts an impressive top speed of 200 km/h (GT) and 220 km/h (GTS) [1][5].
The engineers behind the A390 use permanent magnets for the front and both rear motors to control torque vectoring for better handling, helping the 4.61-meter-long vehicle dart through corners like never before [1]. If you opt for the track-ready Racer trim, prepare yourself for 808 Nm in pure force!
A quick sit in the luxurious, plush seats hints at the A390's comfort capabilities. The interior includes a display setup reminiscent of the Renault Scenic E-Tech, signaling the A390's focus on daily versatility over pure thrills.
And with a net battery capacity of 89 kWh, a range of up to 555 kilometers, and fast charging from 15 to 80 percent in as little as 25 minutes, the A390 proves that it's not just eye-candy - it's a workhorse too [1]. Are you ready to spend around 70,000 euros on this French ride, offering a more individualistic and refined alternative to conventional company cars like the Audi A6? Only time will tell.
In Daily Life: The signs are certainly pointing to a long journey in the realm of electric specifications. With that much range, it won't be surprising. Although there are no homologated consumption values yet, the manufacturer is already announcing ranges between 520 and 555 kilometers. In terms of charging power, they're keeping it modest, sticking with 400-volt technology instead of going for the 800-volt gourmet load. So, it remains at 400 volts with a peak of up to 190 kW. In about 25 minutes, the battery can be charged from 15 to 80%. But with a sportster like the Alpine, the question remains whether the discharge can be performant enough, especially when the SUV is cruising at the promised 220 km/h on German highways.
A quick look at the back row shows that it's comfortable enough. With a wheelbase of 2.71 meters, the Alpine is in the lower range when compared to other electric packages. But that's okay. What else is worth knowing? Perhaps that the dynamic car has a nearly balanced 49:51 weight distribution, which might entice you to take it for a spin on a winding country road, perhaps to a picnic.
In the world of SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles), the Alpine A390 challenges the likes of the Porsche Macan and other premium all-electric crossovers with its impressive performance, advanced technology, and strong practicality. Its tri-motor all-wheel-drive system, active torque vectoring, sporty handling, and comfortable seating for five make it a compelling choice for those seeking a daily driver with a dash of adventure.
Note: SUV stands for Sports Utility Vehicle
Sources: [1] ntv.de [2] sp-x [3] Caranddriver [4] Topgear [5] Digitaltrends
- The new A390 from Alpine, a family-friendly sports powerhouse, is causing a stir in the automotive industry, particularly in the realm of electric vehicles and sports SUVs.
- As the A390 offers impressive performance with its tri-motor all-wheel-drive system and active torque vectoring, it competes with luxury SUVs such as the Porsche Macan in the transport sector, defying conventional notions of sports cars.
- The strong finance behind this shift in Alpine's lifestyle direction, toward a more family-friendly and practical sports vehicle, demonstrates the brand's commitment to innovation in the technology field.
- With its comfortable seating for five, advanced technology, and focus on daily versatility, the A390 could be a potential alternative for individuals looking to switch from traditional finance choices like company cars such as the Audi A6.
- The success of electric-vehicles like the Alpine A390 in the industry and the lifestyle of potential buyers may influence other automotive brands to consider the future of transportation, encouraging the integration of electric powertrains and sports performance in their vehicles.
