Most cars with ties to the world of Formula 1 are eye-wateringly expensive, but this machine promises to change that in the near future.
French performance car brand Alpine will unveil its vision for the ultimate electric hot hatch next week before putting the vehicle into production in 2024.
Alpine has picked up where Renault Sport left off, after its parent company elected to stop building turbocharged versions of the Renault Megane and Clio hatchbacks.
Renault has big plans for its Alpine spin-off. Photo: Francois Nel/Getty Images
Renault even rebranded its F1 team to Alpine to raise the profile of its spin-off brand in preparation for new models.
The modern iteration of Alpine has only sold one model in Australia – the mid-engine, lightweight, two-seat Alpine A110 coupe that took aim at Porsche’s Cayman.
Alpine’s A110 was critically acclaimed, but a rare sight on the road.
The brand’s next models should be more affordable and accessible.
Tipped to be a faster version of the retro-chic, 1980s-inspired Renault 5 electric car, Alpine’s machine promises to be one of the first electric hot hatchbacks on sale.
The Renault 5 electric hatch concept was warmly received.
The compact Renault 5 electric car is similar in size to a Mini Cooper or Fiat 500. An Alpine version would take on the upcoming Abarth version of the Fiat 500e, along with Volkswagen’s GTI-inspired ID.2.
Alpine’s A290 Beta teaser hints at a tough-looking hatchback.
A stylised silhouette image attached to the model’s announcement suggests it will have a huge spoiler and bulging bonnet similar to classic Renault 5 Maxi Turbo rally cars.
It might even get spot lights similar to found on rally machines of the 1980s.
Alpine will unveil the new machine on Thursday May 10, Australian time.
A modern electric version of the Renault 5 Turbo Maxi is unlikely to spit flames.
The manufacturer’s F1 cars raced with QR codes on Sunday inviting fans to scan in to register for a special preview of the upcoming machine, which will take the form of a show car known as the “A290_β”, or A290 Beta.
Alpine’s A290 will go on sale in 2024.
The Alpine hot hatch is under consideration for Australia. Renault’s local boss, Glen Sealey, told reporters in February that Alpine was “working on an all new product plan”.
“We’re very excited by Alpine,” he said at the time.
“We think that will work really well in Australia.”
Keyword: Why this F1 team will build a hot hatch