Alpine, the French sports car brand, will unveil its first all-electric model, the A390, on May 27. This reveal marks a significant milestone in Alpine’s history. Developed as a sports fastback, the A390 represents Alpine’s bold move into the electric era, moving beyond its traditional lineup of lightweight sports cars.
The A390 undergoes final performance testing at Michelin’s Ladoux test track in central France. Alpine and Michelin collaborate to develop two custom high-performance tires for the A390: a 20-inch Pilot Sport EV for electric vehicles and a 21-inch high-performance Pilot Sport 4S.
Built on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s AmpR Medium Platform, the A390 shares structural underpinnings with the Nissan Ariya. Alpine develops a unique tri-motor powertrain layout, with one electric motor for the front wheels and two for the rear, enabling precise torque vectoring and high-performance driving dynamics.
The A390 offers five driving modes, including Track Mode, which fine-tunes the electronic stability control (ESC) system for enhanced dynamic performance. During testing, Alpine highlights the vehicle’s rear-wheel-drive traits, suggesting controlled Oversteer drifts under specific conditions.
A standout feature of the A390 is its Alpine Drive Sound system. Instead of mimicking internal combustion engine sounds, the system reinterprets Alpine’s signature acoustics for the electric age. Drivers can choose between a Sporty mode, inspired by the A110’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine note, and a Daily mode for regular driving. The system can also be muted based on driver preference.
Alpine emphasizes that the A390, a new breed of electric vehicle, is neither an SUV nor a typical crossover, but a sports fastback. The production model will closely resemble the A390 β Concept unveiled last October. The vehicle will launch globally, starting with European markets.
The Alpine A390 fuses Alpine’s lightweight, high-performance DNA with cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. The tri-motor system and sophisticated sound tuning showcase Alpine’s commitment to preserving its sporting heritage in the electric era.
This development reflects the evolving high-performance EV market, where manufacturers focus on delivering emotional experiences beyond raw speed. The A390 joins models like the BMW i4 M50, Porsche Taycan, and Kia EV6 GT, emphasizing performance and driver engagement.
Alpine’s electric transition aligns with its plans to enter the U.S. market. With changing global dynamics, including U.S. EV incentives and Europe’s push towards electrification, the A390 serves as a strategic model balancing brand expansion and profitability.
However, sharing a platform with the Nissan Ariya presents challenges. Alpine must differentiate the A390 and craft a compelling pricing strategy to ensure market success. With recent EV demand stagnation in Europe due to reduced subsidies and economic pressures, timing and regional strategies for the A390’s launch will be critical for its performance.
