French sports car maker Alpine has unveiled the second car to join its compact model range, the battery-powered A290, which will sit alongside the petrol-powered A110.
It doesn't take a genius to connect the dots between the recently revealed Renault 5 EV and this model, as they are essentially twins. But Alpine, the red-hot former Renault maker, has added an important touch.
For starters, it has added aggressive exterior styling, with 'X' motif headlights, flared wheel arches filled with 19-inch alloy wheels and additional creases to the bodywork, giving it several fitting nods to the Renault 5 Turbo of yesteryear.
But while the original weighed around 850kg, this thoroughly modern electric vehicle tips the scales at 1,479kg, meaning it needs a hefty dose of firepower (and smart tech) to ensure it delivers the thrills it's up to. living up to its overtly aggressive exterior.
This comes in the form of a modified electric powertrain with a 52 kWh battery, which drives an electric motor on the front axle. It will be available with 180 HP in the standard version, or up to 220 HP in the spicier and more expensive GTS model.
That may not seem like much in today's EV money, but Alpine claims it's enough to propel the little electric rascal from 0 to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds; It's certainly not modern electric hypercar territory, but it's fast enough for most.
As with Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N, Alpine has relied on its engineering know-how to inject what it calls “accessible sportiness” into the A290. This comes in the form of a clever multi-link suspension at the rear, adjustable steering and a sophisticated torque management system that even allows a little slip at the rear for gliding enjoyment.
The flat-bottom steering wheel is adorned with race car buttons, including a large red module printed with the letters “OV.” Pressing it instantly provides maximum power of 220 HP for short periods of time.
The French carmaker has also introduced digital driver training via a downloadable app, which will teach Hamilton hopefuls how to improve their reflexes, offer tips on where to look when driving at speed and even offer tips for controlling a glide.
This information is displayed on dual digital screens, while thick physical controls help the driver locate key functions during the heat of the moment.
The sanity of electric vehicles meets the hilarity of hot hatches
The fact that the Alpine A290 is based on the soon-to-be-launched Renault 5 EV means it will be able to travel up to 236 miles between charges, while the infotainment offering runs the latest Android Automotive operating system (with support for both Apple CarPlay like Android Auto).
A maximum charging rate of 100 kW is certainly not the fastest out there, but the small battery pack means that the all-important battery charge from 15 to 80 percent takes around 30 minutes via fast-charging sockets.
It's all very useful and sensible, but adding the slightly crazier driving modes, the big red overtaking button and the driver training apps provide some much-needed fun in an otherwise sensible segment.
There's even a specially developed Alpine Drive Sound actuator, which can offer a subtle soundtrack for those daily cruises or something distinctly sportier when you want to drop the hammer.
It certainly has most of the ingredients that made the old-school hot hatch recipe so tasty, all except the price, that is.
The A290 is expected to cost between £35,000 and £40,000 (around $44,400 / AU$67,000 to $51,000 / AU$77,000) when it arrives in Europe later this year (sorry, South America North), which is almost double that of the Renault 5 on which it is based. Oh.
