Alpine A290 Electric Hatch Thrives in Arctic Tests - A New Era

The Alpine A290, a future compact B-segment electric sports car, has been undergoing rigorous development and fine-tuning for over two years. A crucial phase of this development took place recently as Alpine's engineering teams ventured to Sweden's Lapland to conduct final tests on the A290 prototypes in extreme winter conditions. This testing phase is part of Alpine's commitment to ensuring the A290's handling and agility align with the brand's heritage, even in low-grip scenarios.

Testing in the harsh environment near the Arctic Circle, where temperatures can plummet to below -30°C, the A290 has been fine-tuning its performance on both tracks and open roads covered in snow and ice. The focus of these tests is not only on the car's dynamic performance, including engine responsiveness and driving precision, but also on practical aspects such as heating, defogging, defrosting, and electronic stability control (ESC) in snowy conditions.

For its debut in these tests, the A290 was presented in Alpine's original camouflage, featuring the 'A-Arrow' logo and the iconic Alpine Blue colour scheme. Its definitive bodywork and dimensions were also revealed for the first time, with a length of 3,990 mm, width of 1,820 mm, height of 1,520 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,530 mm.

The interior boasts an exclusive Alpine sport steering wheel in Nappa leather, designed with a flattened surface and a central point reminiscent of motorsport. It incorporates three functions adapted from Alpine's Formula 1 steering wheels: OV (Overtake), RCH (Recharge), and Drive modes, accessible with a single touch.

Exclusive Tyre Development with Michelin

One of the highlights of the A290's development is its partnership with Michelin for tyre development. The A290 is equipped with high-performance MICHELIN Pilot Alpin 5 tyres specifically designed for exceptional braking and driving precision in severe winter conditions.

Since the beginning of their collaboration in 2012 with the A110, Alpine and Michelin have worked closely to develop tyres that meet the specific needs of the all-electric Alpine range, starting with the A290. After two years of intensive development, the A290 will feature specific 19-inch tyres: a Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 winter tyre and two sport summer tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV and Michelin Pilot Sport S5, for enhanced performance in all conditions.

Each tyre will carry an exclusive marking, "A29", to ensure that customers receive the same performance level when replacing their tyres, offering a perfect balance between safety, range, handling, durability, comfort, and acoustics.

These rigorous tests in the extreme cold of Sweden signify a significant step in the A290's development, leading up to its unveiling in June 2024. Alpine's CEO, Philippe Krief, expressed confidence in the test results, indicating that the A290 is poised to meet the brand's high standards in all circumstances and weather conditions. With its innovative features and dedicated development, the A290 is set to be a notable addition to the electric sports car market.