Alpine A290: the new electric hot hatch runs for the first time at the arctic circle

ALPINE - "Our A290, the future compact B-segment electric sports car is currently being tested in the extreme and demanding conditions of Sweden's Lapland. The target of this important stage is to confirm the direction we have taken with handling and agility, which is part of our DNA on low grip conditions. To fine-tune its development so that it can be effective in all circumstances and all-weather conditions, the winter development stage of the A290 is crucial as it is a completely new car. Our engineering team has scrutinised all the criteria, and the results bode extremely well for its launch in the coming months," Philippe Krief, Alpine CEO.

The A290 has been fine-tuning its low grip characteristics since the start of the year, in the most extreme weather conditions with temperatures that can drop below -30°C. Alpine's technical teams test the prototypes on tracks and open roads in these conditions to ensure excellence across the board.

All the technical parameters are subject to full-scale tests to guarantee the required performance levels are achieved.

As with every Alpine, particular attention is given to dynamic performance on the A290. Engine responsiveness, brio, driving precision and agility are all given the utmost attention to deliver a driving experience that extends to extreme conditions.

A wide range of equipment is also being tested, including heating, the quality of defogging and defrosting, and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) on snow. None of these points can be reproduced in a technical centre and can only be validated in extremely cold conditions.

For its first official outing, the A290 sported Alpine's original camouflage, the 'A-Arrow' logo on the roof and the Alpine Blue colour scheme. The prototype was presented for the first time with its definitive bodywork and validated dimensions: length 3,990 mm, width 1,820 mm, height 1,520 mm, wheelbase 2,530 mm.

The A290 also unveiled an exclusive Alpine sport steering wheel in Nappa leather, with a flattened surface and a centre point, reminiscent of motorsport that is so much a part of the brand's DNA. It includes three essential functions borrowed from Alpine's Formula 1 steering wheels: OV (Overtake), RCH (Recharge) and Drive modes with one-touch access.

The exclusive "A29" marking developed by Michelin for the Alpine A290

For these tests, the A290 is shod with high-performance MICHELIN Pilot Alpin 5 tyres to measure and control the level of braking and driving precision in severe winter conditions.

Since the dawn of their collaboration in 2012 with the A110, Alpine and Michelin have strengthened their partnership for tyre development for the all-electric Alpine range, starting with the A290. After two years of work, the A290 will be fitted with specific 19-inch tyres:

• A MICHELIN Pilot Alpin 5 winter tyre
• Two sport summer tyres: MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV for optimised energy efficiency and MICHELIN Pilot Sport S5, the highest performance level.

These three tyres have been developed to enhance and harness the performance of the A290 in all driving conditions, whether dry, wet or snow-covered.

Each tyre will feature an exclusive marking based on the coding system for each Alpine model. For the A290, this will be "A29". This will ensure customers get the exact same performance when they replace their tyres: a perfect balance between safety, range, handling, durability, comfort and acoustics.

These extreme cold tests in Sweden are a further step in the A290's development, which will be unveiled in June 2024. 

Alpine A110 S Enstone Edition: the limited series crafted in the UK and built in Dieppe

2023 Alpine A110 Enstone Edition

ALPINE - "Presented at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the A110 S Enstone Edition reveals a sporty elegance and a thoroughly British technicality. Crafted in Enstone and built in Dieppe, it offers racing enthusiasts a unique opportunity to access the excellence and expertise of Alpine F1 with this exclusive edition featuring genuine elements of craftsmanship," explains Emmanuel Al Nawakil, VP, Alpine Sales, Network and Launching.

The A110 showcases F1's unique savoir-faire

With over 30 years of Formula 1 expertise, the Alpine factory in Enstone is now developing state-of-the-art components and technologies for the BWT Alpine F1® Team. The same carbon used for the Alpine single-seater features in the A110 S Enstone Edition's cockpit as a tribute to Alpine's know-how in motorsport.

The A110 S Enstone Edition cockpit in black microfibre with grey stitching incorporates carbon elements from the same workshops as those used for the Alpine single-seaters. It extends and reinforces this exclusive experience, with, for the first time in an A110, an interior made up of authentic carbon components from the design tools, moulds and autoclaves of the Alpine F1 factory in Enstone: the visor decorated with the famous A arrow, the central console bearing the BWT Alpine F1® Team signature and its drop zone.

A plaque numbered from 1 to 300 proudly displays the exclusivity of each car and the sporting origins of its cockpit materials. Each owner will receive a certificate of authenticity from the Enstone factory, signed by the BWT Alpine F1® Team.

The British elegance of an exclusive A110 S for sporty escapades

The A110 S Enstone Edition features an exclusive combination of matt gunmetal bodywork. Its two shades of matt grey, dark "Gris Tonnerre" and light "Argent Mercure", contrast with an original matt black roof. To reflect Alpine's British heritage, the A110 S' hood is adorned with an elegant Union Jack, available in gloss or matt tone-on-tone black. It comes standard in the UK and as an option in France and other countries.

The A110 S Enstone Edition asserts its sporty elegance with 18-inch matt black GT Race wheels and Brembo® Silver callipers for even sharper styling. The wrap-around Sabelt Racing® seats feature exclusive Enstone Edition embroidery and underline the sporting DNA of this limited series. Other distinctive features include an optional aero kit and carbon rear quarter panel flags.

Alpine A110 R Le Mans: 100 exclusive units for the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans®

2024 Alpine A110 R Le Mans

ALPINE - With its A110 R Le Mans limited series, Alpine pays tribute to the world's most prestigious endurance race to mark its centenary. The brand has been involved in endurance racing since the 1960s, thanks to its founder Jean Rédélé, right up to the famous victory of the A442 in 1978. Alpine stepped up its endurance racing with Signatech in LMP2 and then LMP1 and is now looking to the future by taking on the new LMDh Hypercar category from 2024.

 

"Alpine will unveil the A110 R Le Mans in action on the 24 Hours of Le Mans track the day before the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans®, joined by 100 Alpine owners. Limited to 100 units, this iconic limited series follows in the legendary footsteps of the GTA Le Mans, combining sophisticated aerodynamics with an incredible power-to-weight ratio, as did the Alpine M63, the first Alpine to compete at Le Mans in 1963. The A110 R Le Mans is the most radical A110 celebrating the most radical competition," explains Emmanuel Al Nawakil, VP, Alpine Sales, Network and Launching.  

Performance: a radical vision of racing born from competition

Based on the A110 R, it features all the carbon components on the roof, wheels and interior with monocoque Sabelt® Track bucket seats. It also incorporates a carbon wing evoking the endurance racing cars style and Alpine Elf Endurance Team's A480 design. Lightweight components, already used on the A110 R, contribute to its high level of performance with an acceleration time from 0 to 100kph of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 285 kph on track.

The A110 R Le Mans limited series comes with a Road & Track chock, an innovation patented by Alpine, which lowers and stiffens the car by 5% for even better stability on the track. This technical development, coupled with a specific suspension setting, enhances performance on the long Mulsanne straight and in the fast corners of the 24-Hours circuit.

Ultra-sporty design expressing boldness and aerodynamics on the 24 Heures du Mans Circuit®

The A110 R Le Mans is recognisable by its exclusive white and blue 24 Heures du Mans® livery. A thin double line of blue and white is applied to the front bonnet, roof and rear wing in a reference to racing, complemented by the blue fins. A blue piping strip distinguishes the carbon wheels, which are open at the rear for even greater braking endurance, whilst the shark fin on the carbon rear window is a reference to the A480 which competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans®.

This emblematic limited series receives the official 24 Hours of Le Mans® signature on the front spoilers, side sills and microfibre headrest pads of the Sabelt® Track bucket seats. In the ultimate nod to Le Mans, the layout of the 24 Hours circuit is subtly laser-engraved on the sun visor.

Lastly, the A110 R Le Mans bears a numbered plate from the Dieppe factory with the official 24 Hours of Le Mans® signature to mark the 100 examples of this iconic version of the A110 R.

Enjoy an exceptional Alpine experience with the A110 R Le Mans.

Future A110 R Le Mans owners will join Alpine's 'Band of Racers'. They will have exclusive access to the Alpine Elf Endurance Team facilities in 2024 and an opportunity to take a lap of the track, in its complete specification, for an unforgettable experience in their A110 R Le Mans on the morning before the start of the race.