This Is an Alpine SUV Because Nothing Is Sacred Anymore

Et tu, Alpine?

Alpine A390_β concept

Photo by: Alpine

Adrian Padeanu

By: Adrian Padeanu

Oct 11, 2024 at 3:02am ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

Ah, just what we needed. Yet another SUV. I've always thought of Alpine as being the French equivalent of Lotus since they've focused on lightweight sports cars. Much like the peeps from Norfolk now have an electric SUV with the Eletre, the boys and girls based in Dieppe are introducing this–the A390_β. It's only a concept at this stage but a production version will follow next year.

Just like Ferrari is refusing to call the Purosangue an SUV, Alpine doesn't use the acronym. Instead, it's a "sport fastback." The sloping roofline gives the impression of an SUV that had an affair with a coupe. Because this is only a concept, the Renault-owned marque can get away with not giving the A390_β a conventional B-pillar. However, that won't be the case with the subsequent road-going model. In addition, the suicide doors won't make it to production either.

Although the concept does look more exciting than your typical SUV, logic tells us the actual vehicle people will be able to buy won’t match this level of pizzazz. There is hope, though. Alpine does promise the final car will retain around 85% of the exterior design but we'll believe it when we'll see it.

The futuristic interior is said to take after Formula 1 cars but obviously with a lot more seats. The A390 is touted as a five-seater version of the future electric A110 sports car. It's the one Alpine initially planned to develop with Lotus before the two parted ways in mid-2023.

Technical specifications are limited at this point but we do know the production model will feature three electric motors. One will sit at the front and the other two at the back, enabling all-wheel drive. It won’t be a permanent AWD setup, which suggests the front-mounted motor can be decoupled for a more tail-happy experience. Active torque vectoring is promised for a more engaging drive.

Alpine A390_β concept

127

Alpine A390_β concept

Source: Alpine

What do you think?

View

Comments

The A390 will be the second EV from Alpine, following the A290 hot hatchback. The latter is essentially a high-performance version of the reborn Renault 5. Although Alpine is coming to the United States in a couple of years, you won’t see these electric vehicles in North America. Instead, bigger SUVs are expected to get a US visa. There are also plans for an A310 coupe, a bigger four-seat sports car to take on the Porsche 911 but with an electric setup.

By the end of the decade, Alpine intends to have no fewer than seven EVs in its growing lineup. A supercar was recently confirmed and it'll either be entirely electric or will feature a hydrogen-fueled combustion engine.

Alpine Wants To Keep The ICE Alive:

This Alpine Sports Car Has a Hydrogen Combustion Turbo Engine

Alpine Wants to Sell a Hydrogen V-6 Road Car

Source: Alpine

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com

View all comments ( )

Popular

12 Crossovers That Are Surprisingly Good At Off-Roading

The Audi Nuvolari Costs $700,000. And It Will Be Rare In America

They Spent Eight Years Building A Lancia Stratos. Now They Can Finally Drive It

Lamborghini Temerario Gets Even Louder With Official Titanium Akrapovič Exhaust

Lucid's Sub-$50,000 SUV Comes Into Focus In New Teaser