Alpine A390 electric performance car
The Alpine A390 brings French motorsport heritage to the premium EV segment. Image: Alpine

The wait is over. Alpine has officially announced pricing for the A390, its second pure-electric vehicle and arguably the most important car in the French brand’s ambitious plan to crack the American market. With three trim levels ranging from approximately $78,000 to $88,000, the tri-motor performance fastback positions itself as a genuine Porsche fighter at a more accessible price point.

First customer deliveries are expected in Europe this spring, giving Alpine time to build momentum before its planned U.S. expansion in 2027. And based on the specs, American performance enthusiasts might want to start paying attention.

For those unfamiliar with the brand, Alpine is a French performance marque owned by Renault with roots stretching back to 1955. The company built its reputation on rally stages and racetracks, crafting lightweight, nimble sports cars that prioritized driving engagement over brute force. After a lengthy hiatus, Alpine was revived in 2017 with the A110, a mid-engine sports car that earned widespread acclaim for its purity and precision.

Now, Alpine is pivoting to electrification while attempting to preserve its motorsport DNA. The A390 represents the brand’s most significant product launch in years, and its success or failure will largely determine whether Alpine can establish itself as a legitimate player in the global performance EV market.

Sports car on winding road
Alpine built its reputation on rally stages and racetracks across Europe.

Alpine is launching the A390 with three distinct trim levels, each offering progressively more power and equipment. The entry-level A390 GT (approximately $78,000) serves as the gateway to the range. It comes equipped with 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Sport EV tires, adaptive LED matrix headlights, an 11kW onboard charger with vehicle-to-load capability, and a body-colored roof. Standard features include Sabelt bucket seats, a sports steering wheel, a 13-speaker sound system, wireless smartphone connectivity, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control.

The mid-range A390 Premiere Edition (approximately $83,000) adds a unique set of 20-inch wheels, blue-painted brake calipers, a French flag on the rear pillar, electric-adjustable sport seats with massage function, and hands-free parking assist. The onboard charger gets upgraded to a 22kW three-phase unit for faster home charging.

The flagship A390 GTS (approximately $88,000) brings 21-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, red brake calipers, black Alcantara headlining, and an uprated sound system.

Every A390 features a 12.3-inch driver’s display and 12-inch central touchscreen, similar to the setup in the Renault Scenic E-Tech. However, Alpine has developed its own performance-focused infotainment system complete with lap timers and G-force readouts, underscoring the car’s sporting intentions.

Performance car steering wheel
The interior features Sabelt bucket seats and a performance-focused infotainment system with lap timers.

All versions of the A390 feature a triple-motor setup with two motors at the rear and one up front, enabling sophisticated torque vectoring for precise power distribution. The GT and Premiere Edition produce 395 horsepower and 661 lb-ft of torque, launching from 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 124 mph.

The range-topping GTS cranks output to 464 horsepower and 824 lb-ft of torque, cutting the 0-62 mph sprint to just 3.9 seconds. That’s faster than a Porsche Macan 4S, which costs considerably more. Top speed climbs to 137 mph.

At 2,124 kg (approximately 4,682 pounds), the A390 is over 1,000 kg heavier than the featherweight A110 coupe. That’s the reality of modern performance EVs. To manage all that mass, Alpine has fitted massive six-piston brake calipers as standard, complemented by a strong regenerative braking system.

Alpine isn’t shy about its ambitions for the A390, boldly calling it a “true five-seat sports car.” The A390 features five drive modes, including a dedicated Track setting for spirited driving. Alpine has developed a unique “Alpine Drive Sound” system that provides two distinct soundtracks to enhance the experience without attempting to replicate a combustion engine. Notably, Alpine has specifically avoided Hyundai Ioniq 5 N-style fake gear changes, saying they feel “too artificial.”

Performance car on track
The chassis benefits from a near-perfect 49:51 front-to-rear weight distribution.

The chassis benefits from a near-perfect 49:51 front-to-rear weight distribution, aided by the floor-mounted battery pack keeping the center of gravity low. Alpine developed a bespoke passive suspension system, deliberately choosing not to include four-wheel steering to maintain driver focus and engagement.

Early reviews have praised the torque vectoring system in particular, with some testers finding it sharper and more responsive than similar systems from Polestar and Porsche. Alpine says it benchmarked the A390’s cornering behavior against the A110 “to ensure a driving experience centred on feel rather than software.”

CEO Philippe Krief summed up the philosophy: “The A390 is the quintessential Alpine, combining sportiness and performance with technology and refinement, all for a unique driving experience that is equally suited to everyday use and more spirited driving.”

The A390 sits on a heavily reworked version of Renault’s AmpR Medium platform, which also underpins the Renault Scenic and Nissan Ariya. At launch, all versions come with an 89kWh battery. The GT and Premiere Edition deliver an estimated 341 miles of range on the European WLTP cycle, while the more powerful GTS manages 312 miles. American EPA ratings typically come in lower than WLTP figures, so expect real-world U.S. estimates in the 270-290 mile range.

Electric vehicle charging
All models support 190kW DC rapid charging, enabling 15-80% charge in under 25 minutes.

All models support 190kW DC rapid charging, enabling a 15-80 percent charge in under 25 minutes. That’s competitive with most premium EVs in this segment, though not quite at the bleeding edge of current charging technology.

Previewed by the bold A390_ß concept in 2024, the production A390 has stayed remarkably faithful to that original vision. The full-width lightbar and slim daytime running lights carry over almost unchanged, complemented by what Alpine calls “Cosmic Dust” triangular LED accents. Deep indentations in the hood are bisected by a central spine that channels airflow over the car, similar to the aero treatment on the Dodge Charger Daytona.

Alpine describes the A390 as a “sport fastback” rather than an SUV or crossover, and the silhouette supports that positioning. The steeply raked rear glass and roof-hinged tailgate lead to a 532-liter boot (approximately 18.8 cubic feet), nearly matching the Porsche Macan’s 540 liters. Measuring 181.7 inches long, 74.2 inches wide, and 60.3 inches tall, the A390 is slightly smaller than the Macan in every dimension.

Pricing is where Alpine makes its strongest argument. At approximately $78,000 to $88,000, the A390 significantly undercuts the Porsche Macan Electric, which ranges from roughly $72,000 to over $110,000 in the U.S. market. On paper, the GTS’s 3.9-second 0-62 mph time beats the Porsche Macan 4S at a lower price point. Whether Alpine can match Porsche’s build quality, brand cachet, and dealer network is another question entirely, but the performance credentials are legitimate.

Modern electric car interior
Six exterior colors are available, including Alpine’s signature “Bleu Vision” launch color.

Alpine has confirmed plans to enter the American market in 2027, and the A390 is expected to be among the first models offered. The company envisions a “world expansion phase” that would bring its performance EVs to new markets, with America representing the biggest opportunity. The A390 would join a growing field of premium electric crossovers and fastbacks in the U.S., competing against established players like the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Porsche Macan Electric.

However, Alpine faces significant challenges. American buyers are largely unfamiliar with the brand, and building a dealer network from scratch is expensive and time-consuming. Current tariff policies on imported vehicles could also affect pricing and availability.

Beyond the A390, Alpine has ambitious plans. The company intends to launch seven pure-electric models by 2030, including two larger SUVs (the biggest rivaling the Porsche Cayenne), an electric successor to the A110 sports car due in 2026, a roadster version, and a four-seat sports coupe reviving the A310 name from the 1970s and 1980s.

The Alpine A390 represents a serious statement of intent from a brand that refuses to abandon its performance roots in the transition to electrification. With tri-motor power, genuine sporting credentials, striking design, and pricing that undercuts Porsche, the A390 has the ingredients to succeed. For enthusiasts tired of anonymous electric crossovers prioritizing efficiency over engagement, the A390 offers something genuinely different: a French performance brand betting its future on the idea that EVs can still be fun to drive.

European deliveries begin this spring. Alpine has not announced official U.S. pricing for the A390. U.S. availability is expected in 2027.

 

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