ALPINE A290 RALLYE PRESS PACK - FULL DETAILS OF NEW RALLY CHALLENGER

INTRODUCTION
Launching a racing car is always an intense moment for a manufacturer, especially for a brand that has won the hearts of enthusiasts via its motorsport record.

Alpine has inspired many over the years with its attractive, lightweight and agile cars. Each one is the result of a vision, collective commitment and constant high standards, and it is in keeping with this DNA that the A290 Rallye was created.

"As Renault Group's first 100% electric vehicle designed for customer racing, the A290 Rallye embodies our desire to combine passion and innovation in a context of deep change within the sport. This project has set us an ambitious challenge, combining driving pleasure with respect for the environment. The A290 Rallye will make its competitive debut before the end of this year, which marks the 70th anniversary of Alpine's founding by Jean Rédélé. And the intensity will be tenfold as we break new ground with an affordable, high-performance electric rally car focused on the future. It would not have been possible without the close collaboration among the engineers at Alpine Cars and Alpine Racing, as well as our technical partners. It is also further proof of our desire to bring competition and technology to an ever-wider public. More than just a rally car, the Alpine A290 Rallye is a manifesto: that of a vibrant, demanding and exhilarating motorsport."
Axel Plasse, VP Hypertech Alpine

THE PROJECT
Mobility and motorsport are undergoing a profound transformation amid the energy transition, shifting expectations and prompting a rethink of the role of competition.

Faced with these challenges, Alpine has taken a bold step with the Alpine A290 Rallye, an amped-up proposal for a new generation of 100% electric, affordable, and competition-oriented rally cars.

Based on the A290, it has a dual purpose. On the one hand, it continues Alpine's heritage in road racing, from the A106 to the A110 Rallye GT+ and the iconic Berlinette. On the other hand, it provides a tangible response to contemporary challenges: emissions reduction, cost control, versatility and diversity, etc.

Designed for drivers who want to get started or continue their involvement in rallying, the A290 Rallye combines dynamism, thrills and safety. It heralds a new era in the history of customer racing, where electric technology is no longer a hindrance but a lever for performance and experience.

With this car, Alpine renews its determination to make motorsport more sustainable, more affordable and increasingly in tune with developments in the real world. By offering dedicated support and ensuring ease of operation, Alpine proves that electric racing can be exciting, demanding and formative.

More than just a technological demonstration, the A290 Rallye marks a new era of competition.

"This project is a genuine manifesto. Alpine is taking a decisive step forward in its commitment to sustainable and exciting motorsport with the A290 Rally. We are breaking new ground, staying true to our heritage but undeniably looking to the future. As we do every day with the road cars, we are demonstrating that electric power can also be a source of pleasure, performance and affordability in a competitive environment.
“Based on the Alpine A290 road car and its universally recognised dynamic performance, the A290 Rallye has been designed to be reassuring to drive, impressive on special stages and begin a virtuous cycle for motorsport enthusiasts.”
Bruno Famin, VP Alpine Motorsport 

ALPINE A290
Alpine's first electric hot hatch, the A290, ushers in a new era for the A-arrow brand by transposing its DNA of lightness, agility and driving pleasure into the urban world and the mobility of tomorrow.

The first model in the "Dream Garage" range boasts a robust and assertive design. Its taut lines, X-shaped headlights and wider base express both modernity and heritage. Underneath its bodywork, it features a performance-oriented architecture: a honed chassis, precise steering, a lowered centre of gravity thanks to the battery placement, and specific tuning by Alpine Cars' engineers.

The A290 is not just a high-performance vehicle. It also embodies affordable pleasure for everyone, with an optimised range and everyday versatility. In its most refined version, the A290 GTS delivers up to 220 hp, in line with the sporting spirit that has made the Alpine legend.

True to the brand's philosophy, the A290 stands out for its engaging, dynamic handling, rich in driving emotions, as well as its efficiency and astonishing performance. Today, a new chapter begins as this experience is transposed into the world of competition.

ALPINE A290 RALLYE 

Genesis
Motorsport is deeply rooted in Alpine's DNA. Since the brand's creation in 1955, cars bearing the A-arrow have excelled on roads and racetracks around the world.

In this context, the idea of developing a competition version of the Alpine A290 emerged in December 2023. Working closely with the engineers who designed the production model, the competition departments at Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé and Hypertech Alpine in Viry-Châtillon set out to create the Renault Group's first 100% electric car for customer racing.

The A290 Rallye was thus born out of a conviction: electric vehicles can become credible and exciting on a variety of terrains, providing maximum enjoyment for both experienced and novice drivers alike.

"Our challenge was not to launch the A290 in competition, but to create an Alpine that could be used immediately by customers, regardless of their racing experience. From the design office to the Alpine Racing competition workshop in Viry-Châtillon, including the Alpine A290 Trophy organising team, all of our savoir-faire combined to achieve a key objective: to offer drivers great pleasure. It translates in many ways, whether in terms of efficiency, perceived quality or ergonomics.”
François Champod, Alpine Racing Vehicle Director

An intensive development programme
This groundbreaking project involved rigorous development work undertaken by a small but passionate team. Chassis engineers, battery specialists, simulation experts and mechanics worked hand in hand to design a reliable, high-performance and safe car.

Initial calculations enabled anticipation of the vehicle's dynamics and battery thermal management, accounting for energy constraints. Prototypes were then tested on different surfaces to assess the endurance of the running gear, while ensuring stable energy regeneration and optimising the ABS system.

After this, a series of tests to refine every detail saw the model cover more than 3,000 kilometres in actual driving conditions. These tests confirmed the architecture's robustness and the relevance of the technical choices before launching the assembly of the first customer models.

A complete rally car
The A290 Rallye is a true gateway to competition, built on the excellent chassis of the A290 and adapted to the demands of its future racing environment and the world of competition.

Alpine Racing has made several improvements, starting with the running gear and a specific suspension fitted with ALP Racing Suspension dampers to ensure perfect vehicle control in racing conditions. These dampers also allow the ride height to be adjusted, adapting the car to all types of terrain. The A290 Rallye has also been fitted with specific steering knuckles to allow camber adjustment, while the toe is adjustable, as on the production car.

The suspension springs and anti-roll bars are also bespoke, with increased stiffness to ensure optimum chassis stability in the extreme conditions encountered in rallying.

As with the best rally cars, braking is provided at the front by 6-piston monobloc callipers and oversized 350 mm discs. At the rear, there are single-piston callipers on 280 mm discs, all with ABS control specifically developed by Alpine Racing. The integration of the hydraulic handbrake was also a key focus to facilitate a ‘playful’ handling.

As for the power unit, 220 bhp and 300 Nm of torque are available and transmitted to the front axle via a ZF limited-slip differential, ensuring first-rate performance and traction. Meanwhile, the reduction gear and electronic management have been redesigned, whilst regeneration has been intentionally standardised to ensure optimal operation of the limited-slip differential. The batteries charge from 20% to 80% in less than 28 minutes at 100 kW, less than a trip to the service park.

With Rally2-worthy dimensions, the A290 Rallye features special 8‘x 18’ EVO Corse white rims fitted with tyres developed by Michelin, whose expertise in the category was invaluable in selecting Pilot Sport A tyres as the ideal choice. 

"Our challenge was to offer an intuitive car that immediately instils confidence and makes you want to attack, while remaining affordable and easily operated for teams and drivers. It represents an exceptional opportunity for a new generation of motorsport actors and gentleman drivers to get into rallying with modern tools. To achieve this, the traction, chassis precision and braking had to be consistent. The A290's intrinsic qualities enabled the development of this version, which is close to the road car model but fully fit for competition. It offers all the feels of a proper rally car, with the bonus of the unique responsiveness of an electric vehicle.” 
Sylvain Alanore, Deputy Director Vehicle Alpine Racing

Zero compromise on safety
Designed to meet FIA eRally5 regulations, the Alpine A290 Rallye features the latest advances in active and passive safety.

From the earliest stages of its assembly at the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé, a roll cage is welded to the structure, which in turn is reinforced to provide specific anchor points comparable to those of a Rally3 car. Ready to race, it comes equipped with a range of top-level safety features: a Sabelt Spine bucket seat with ten-year homologation, a six-point harness, an automatic fire extinguisher, and more.

Added to this are innovative systems with a particular focus on education: battery monitoring and external light signals to inform marshals and spectators in the event of an incident. Lastly, Alpine has developed an exclusive sound system that ensures a precise and reassuring perception of the car depending on its speed and the pressure on the accelerator pedal.

A sleek interior designed for performance
The interior is optimised to maximise enjoyment for both driver and co-driver. Seated comfortably in a Sabelt-designed Spine bucket seat, the driver faces a dashboard that incorporates the main controls, a digital display and all the functions needed for driving. The pedals and steering column are adjustable to ensure an optimal driving position for all sizes. 

The air conditioning system remains in place, helping cool not only the cockpit but also the powertrain and battery, with priority given to the latter.

Guaranteed performance and sensations
The Alpine Cars and Alpine Racing development drivers were called upon to ensure genuine versatility. This complementary approach enriched the development process with additional perspectives. The engineers benefited from feedback from Alpine test drivers such as David Praschl, renowned rally competitors, and promising young drivers from the Renault Group's customer racing programmes, including Matteo Chatillon.

Behind the wheel, the A290 Rallye dispels any apprehension about electric cars. Its handling is similar to that of today's best front-wheel drive cars, with a driving focused on trajectory and braking.

The hydraulic handbrake, limited-slip differential and ABS (with mapping developed by Alpine Racing) provide an authentic feel. For use in rallies, two driving modes optimise performance: Save (for road liaisons) and Sport (for special stages).

Beyond the technical aspects, the A290 Rallye is designed to be an accessible and educational tool. Its simple settings and standardised energy management make it an ideal springboard for discovering or rediscovering rallying in the modern era, highlighting Alpine's ability to combine engineering excellence with a long-term vision. 

"The feeling behind the wheel is incredible. The chassis is clearly its strong point: it's exceptional, extremely forgiving, and incredibly well-balanced, allowing to push without feeling scared, and the driving pleasure is immediate. The wheels are the size of a Rally2 car, giving access to the high-performance range of tyres in this category. With the optimised ABS software, it remains easy to drive and responsive in all conditions. The hydraulic handbrake also makes it easy to pivot in hairpin bends or manage certain braking situations. It adds another fun and reassuring element. In short, the A290 Rallye is a high-performance, safe and enjoyable car that delivers a whole host of thrills.”
Matteo Chatillon, 2024 WRC3 runner-up

ALPINE A290 TROPHY
The commercialisation of the A290 Rallye is combined with the organisation of an Alpine A290 Trophy with one rally in 2025, then in several events starting in 2026.

A first rally as early as 2025
The Alpine A290 Trophy kicks off on 8 and 9 November. The first event of its kind will be held on a single event, the Rallye National de l'Indre. The first A290 Rally cars delivered will gather there in a structured, accessible setting aimed at both newcomers and experienced drivers, with a total of €55,000 in prize money.

This historic event will also enable Alpine Racing to validate the car's performance in real conditions, test the charging system, and fine-tune the sporting format.

Deployment imminent
Following this launch, the Alpine A290 Trophy will take on a new dimension from 2026 onwards, centred around the Alpine A290 Rally Trophy and the Alpine A290 Regional Trophy.

Alpine will draw on more than six decades of Renault Group experience in customer racing to organise trophies in line with Alpine's high standards and requirements, with professional, rigorous organisation and a warm, enthusiastic atmosphere in the service parks and paddocks.

The Alpine A290 Rally Trophy is a brand single-make cup that will host competitors at six rounds of the French Rally Championship. They will compete in an Alpine-themed environment that supports them with eco-friendly mobile or shared charging solutions to facilitate their transition to electric vehicles.

Lastly, the Alpine A290 Regional Trophy will allow the A290 Rallye to compete completely independently. Crews will be eligible to participate in selected regional rallies and hill climbs within the FFSA calendar.

A committed network and appealing prize packages
To enhance the Trophy's appeal, Alpine will implement an innovative structure through the Alpine Store Challenge. Based on a partnership between a crew and an Alpine Store, this will provide a high-value-added marketing communication platform and a first-rate connection among the different contenders.

Thanks to Alpine Racing, €236,000 in prize money will be up for grabs in the Alpine A290 Rally Trophy, with handsome performance bonuses and spare parts vouchers. In the Alpine A290 Regional Trophy, the five best scores will determine the final general classification, with the leading contenders sharing €46,000.

Unrivalled support
Drawing on the well-known expertise and values of Clio Trophy France competitors, drivers entered in the Alpine A290 Rally Trophy will benefit from a range of products and services with their entry: racing suits, Alpine clothing, communication, etc.

In addition, Alpine will offer a complete ecosystem at the Alpine A290 Trophy rounds: a technical service with engineers on-site, as well as a spare parts shop and recharging facilities. Finally, to ensure the fairness for which Alpine Racing's cups and trophies are renowned, technical scrutineers will be present at each event.

Never shying away from a challenge, Alpine will also give all drivers the choice to compete freely with the A290 Rallye. The FFSA homologation obtained in October guarantees its inclusion in a wide range of events in France, and competitors will have the opportunity, if they wish, to compete against their combustion-engine counterparts.

A showcase for the energy transition
Through its design, format and generous prizes, the Alpine A290 Trophy offers much more than just a brand cup; it is a genuine gateway to the future of motorsport. Affordable, modern and aligned with environmental standards, it embodies Alpine's new vision for customer racing. Electric technology is not just an alternative: it is becoming a force in its own right.

CALENDAR

December 2023
The ‘Echo’ project begins.

2024
Simulations and first development mules.

March 2025
Start of the testing programme.

July 2025
Unveiling at Rallye Rouergue Rodez Aveyron Occitanie.
First dynamic demo run at Goodwood Festival of Speed.

September 2025
Start of assembly of the first customer cars.
First competition cameo as demo car at Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine.
First tests for prospective customers.

October 2025
FFSA homologation targeted.

November 2025
Official launch of the Alpine A290 Trophy at Rallye de l'Indre.

First quarter 2026
Increased production of the A290 Rallye in Dieppe.

Spring 2026
Start of the Alpine A290 Rally Trophy in France.

TECHNICAL SPEICFICATIONS

CONTACTS & LINKS

Technical and sporting information
customer.racing@fr.alpineracing.com

Sales information and orders
rst-parts.dpt@alpinecars.com

Amel BOUBAAYA
VP Communications of the Alpine brand
amel.boubaaya@alpinecars.com
+33 6 73 17 36 21

Orianne TAMBURINI
Head of Product Communication Alpine
orianne.tamburini@alpinecars.com
+33 6 26 63 28 14

LINKS

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WEBSITES
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media.alpinecars.com  

ABOUT ALPINE
Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, Alpine has established itself with its French-style sports cars. The brand introduced the new A110 in 2018, faithful to Alpine's timeless principles of compactness, lightweight, agility and driving pleasure. The Alpine Business Unit was created in 2021, building on the heritage and savoir-faire of its historic Dieppe factory and the engineering expertise of the Alpine Racing and Alpine Cars teams. The dedicated brand innovates authentic and exclusive sports cars within Renault Group. This expertise enables the brand to compete in two FIA championships: Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship. Alpine is also present in other racing disciplines through its customer racing programme in Rally, Cup and GT4. 2024 marks a turning point in Alpine's ambitions as it inaugurates Its 100% electric "Dream Garage" with the launch of its hot hatch, the A290, followed by its first sport fastback, the A390, in 2025.