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Some cars take a few laps to explain what they are, and the Alpine A390 GT is one of them. At first, I can understand that it might be difficult to associate the Alpine image with a large vehicle, in fact, an SUV, with five seats, electric, and of considerable mass, but..
Alpine is, by history and philosophy, synonymous with sportiness, lightness, and agility. When we think of the brand, inevitably the A110 comes to mind, both the original and even the current model. Therefore, the A390 raises an interesting question: can a car of these characteristics still be considered an Alpine?
Having driven it on the roads of Andorra, I believe the answer is yes. And it is precisely at the wheel where this concept, which on paper may seem difficult to understand, starts to make sense.
Three motors and 400 HP
As I mentioned a few lines earlier, the A390 GT is 100% electric, and this may be what shocks purists the most. In reality, all brands have made the leap towards electrification to some extent, so it seems a bit extreme to raise an outcry over this in the case of Alpine. That said, let's continue. The A390 GT's powertrain uses three motors: one at the front and two at the rear, each acting on one wheel. Together they produce 400 HP and provide all-wheel-drive. The Alpine Active Torque Vectoring (AATV) system manages the torque distribution between the wheels to adapt the vehicle's response to different situations, and it does so impeccably. The result is always an immediate and forceful response.
The 4.8 seconds it takes the car to go from 0 to 100 km/h is a good way to describe its performance, but it doesn't fully convey what it feels like at the wheel; those are sensations that go beyond speed or acceleration. In any case, as a true electric, the power arrives with impressive forcefulness, but also with a progressiveness that allows you to utilize it without the car becoming a difficult or uncomfortable machine to manage. All-wheel drive greatly facilitates this, working impeccably to transmit a feeling of grip, precision, and security that meets expectations.
This is where Alpine shines
It is precisely at this point where the A390 begins to justify its name. On fast and winding roads like the Coll d’Ordino or those in the Lauredian valleys, they are a perfect environment. In these settings, the car surprised me with its ability to maintain composure and the great sensations it offers. Even at high speeds, there are no strange movements or body roll to remind us that we are driving a large vehicle; quite the opposite, the more you push it, the more fun it becomes.
The steering is very direct and accurately conveys what is happening beneath the wheels. The braking is also exactly as it should be, both in power and in modulation (at the front, the car features ventilated discs of 365mm with six-piston calipers and at the rear, 350mm floating calipers with one piston).
It should be noted that the assistance from the regenerative braking system also allows you to save brake wear while having fun, and as I am an enthusiast of this system, I must say that I found myself pressing the brakes just when necessary, even during moments of 'spirited' driving. I find the four levels of retention (five if we count the coasting mode) very well scaled. In this respect, I would also highlight that the driving, colloquially known as
