Alpine has unveiled its second electric vehicle, the A390, a model that straddles the line between a sedan and an SUV. The A390 features a tri-motor powertrain that delivers up to 470 horsepower and enables active torque vectoring on the rear axle. The A390 might be the first contemporary Alpine model available in the U.S., but the company has recently acknowledged that tariffs are causing it to reconsider its plans for expansion. We’ve loved the Alpine A110 for most of the last ten years. It’s a light, quick sports car that looks sleek and old-fashioned and is sold in Europe. Another Alpine is on the way, but it may not arrive until the end of the year. The French automaker, a subsidiary of Renault, unveiled the A390 today. It is an electric fastback crossover featuring a powerful three-motor drivetrain and a design that resembles a concept car. The A390² concept, which was used to showcase the A390 last year, will go into production with only minor changes to its sharp design. Alpine calls the A390’s brow “Cosmic Dust” because it has a thin LED light bar and a set of stylish triangular lights below it. The lower bumper also has a complexly designed grille that sends cool air to the batteries. The A390’s sloping roofline, sleek rear light bar, pronounced rear haunches, and sharply defined character lines remain clearly visible. It is about four inches shorter than a Porsche Macan EV and less than an inch taller than a BMW i5 sedan. The A390 occupies a space that falls between a sedan and an SUV. From nose to tail, it measures 181.7 inches in length, which is four inches longer than a Genesis GV60 and nine inches shorter than a Polestar 4. The A390’s body was designed to be aerodynamic, featuring a useful rear diffuser, a small black rear spoiler, and a floating wing integrated into the hood that directs air through a channel between the headlights. Even though the Alpine looks great with its aggressive, sporty design, we’re more interested in what’s going on inside. The A390’s tri-motor powertrain has one electric motor at the front axle and two at the back. Each motor controls a wheel independently. Alpine mentions that the A390 shares similarities with the lightweight A110 and highlights that its active torque-vectoring system will enhance the driving experience, especially when navigating corners. According to Alpine, the car will offset the typical lighter weight of electric vehicles by directing additional torque to the outer wheel, allowing the A390 to handle turns more effectively. Alpine states that the A390 will weigh approximately 4,676 pounds. The A390 will come in two trim levels. The base GT model can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, boasting 400 horsepower. The top GTS trim level boasts 470 horsepower and 595 pound-feet of torque, which reduces the time it takes to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph to 3.9 seconds. This isn’t very fast for an electric car, but the A110 built Alpine’s reputation for handling skill rather than straight-line speed, and the torque-vectoring system should help them keep that image. Of course, the cabin is quite different from the concept’s unusual setup, which featured racing seats and a steering wheel in the shape of a yoke. The interior of the A390 appears modern, luxurious, and driver-focused, featuring a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. The bucket seats, door panels, and heated steering wheel are all made of high-quality blue Nappa leather, and the vehicle still features physical controls for temperature and climate. There is an “OV” (Overtake) button on the steering wheel that activates a 10-second boost function and launch control, as well as a rotary knob that allows you to adjust the regenerative braking. The A390’s 89-kWh battery is expected to provide a range of 323 to 344 miles on the European WLTP test cycle and up to 293 miles on the EPA cycle. The A390 will be assembled in France, so deliveries are expected to start next year. Orders for customers in Europe will become available during the fourth quarter. When Alpine announced it would bring its all-electric lineup to the US in 2027, we thought the A390 would be the first model to arrive in the country. Alpine recently announced that it is rethinking its plans and may delay its US launch until after 2030 due to the high tariffs being imposed on imported cars.
