He Alpine A390_βis a concept car that advances the image of the brand’s third model, after the A110 and the A290. Its name follows the nomenclature of the brand, an A followed by after numbers (3, for segment C, 90, for multipurpose vehicle). The β designates the intermediate stage of development before the launch of the production car to be manufactured in Dieppe.
The brand tells us that the inspiration was the Alps mountain range, such as the Alpenglow concept car that was presented in 2022. It has a fastback-type silhouette and is 85% closer to the production model. The lighting signature includes a strip of light at the front and rear, with a cloud of illuminated triangles called Cosmic Dust.
Aerodynamics have been worked on, with elements such as shapes and elements of the front part to promote air flow circulation or the micro-perforated grille. The rear is more conceptual, with a central deflector that imitates the Le Mans competition cars and the light strip that extends or retracts 80 mm, to go from a design short-tail still long-tail to reduce the aerodynamic drag coefficient.
The wheels, 22 inches in the front and 23 inches in the rear, have a snowflake design, with a central cap illuminated with a blue halo.
The interior is clearly conceptual. From the facing door opening, without a central pillar, to the driving position, with three sheets of glass placed successively behind the steering wheel or the steering wheel that can take two forms, with an “ice crystal” in the center as a key. It has the OV (overtake) button, to achieve full power with one press. Others allow you to modify the hydraulic suspension, adjust the regenerative braking and adapt the multimedia modes.
On the center console, the transmission buttons have a mineral look, like carved and polished chunks of rock. There are also two driving positions: one for daily driving and another that simulates that of an F1, with raised pedals and retracted steering wheel. The seat is a carbon fiber shell, with a two-tone harness with a four-point Sabelt buckle.
At the back, comfort has been sought, with two white seats, in one piece without seams. Its curved shapes, as well as the central area door panels and headrests, evoke the curves of winding tracks.
The future Alpine A390 will be based on a heavily revamped version of Ampere’s AmpR Medium platform. This A390_β show-car gives a glimpse of the driving qualities of the future vehicle. It has three electric motors developed by Alpine, one front and two rear, with a non-permanent four-wheel drive system.
The drive will be managed through Active Torque Vectoring, which intelligently controls the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles, and independently of the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel. This optimizes the longitudinal behavior of the vehicle and the dynamism in curves, giving the vehicle a feeling of lightness and reducing the inertia perceived in curves.
