The A290_β is based on the Renault 5 concept unveiled earlier this year, but has been taken to the extreme to accentuate its sporty side. Despite being only 159.4 inches (4.05 meters) long, the A290_β has large 20-inch wheels with a square cut in the center, centerlock alloys proudly carrying the French flag, and tires developed by Michelin.
The electric hot hatch has a three-seat interior with the driver sitting in the center, slightly ahead of the two passengers, and a minimalist design with angular steering wheel inspired by this year’s LMP2 A470 and F1 A523 race cars. Alpine hasn't released power figures, but says the car benefits from torque vectoring and a rear multi-link suspension.
The decision to call the car A290_β is based on the Alpine brand’s global naming strategy. The names start with the letter A, followed by three numbers. The number 2 stands for the B-segment and the 90 stands for the brand’s future Lifestyle range. The Greek letter beta indicates an intermediate phase working up to the production vehicle’s official launch in 2024.
“The A290_β is the first stage in Alpine’s new era, the first step towards the all-electric Dream Garage in 2024. This urban show car has rewritten the playbook for electric hot hatches. The A290_β is tapping into its rich legacy and ushering Alpine into the future, with an everyday experience of the motor sports spirit that has inspired the brand since its inception,” said Laurent Rossi, CEO, Alpine.
Source: Alpine