Reveal date set for performance brand’s first electric SUV

Renault-owned performance brand Alpine has set an official reveal date for its newest model, set to be the next step in the French carmaker’s transition to an all-electric lineup.

Previewed in October 2024 by Alpine’s A390_β concept, the production-ready A390 “sport fastback” SUV is set to make its world debut on May 27, 2025.

It’ll not only be Alpine’s first electric SUV, but the brand’s first SUV, period. It follows the electric A290 hot hatch that was revealed in June last year.

Alpine says the A390 is “a concentration of technology that reinvents the legendary sportiness of the A110 in a five-seater vehicle”, though if you want a genuine sports car the company still offers the A110 coupe and has teased an electric replacement.

Announced with just one simple teaser image, the A390 appears to bear strong similarities to the concept that previewed it – at least externally. That makes sense, as Alpine said the concept’s exterior was “85 per cent true to that of the future production model”.

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The concept’s exterior features Alpine’s latest design language, including its new “Cosmic Dust” lighting signature front and rear.

There are full-width light bars at both ends, as well as unique aerodynamic elements around the concept.

That includes a shark fin at the rear, which Alpine says is a reference to its Le Mans endurance race cars. The concept’s tail lights and rear diffuser can also extend by 80mm, forming either a short- or long-tail design that alters aerodynamic drag.

Its wheel design was supposedly inspired by a snowflake, with 22-inch and 23-inch wheels fitted at the front and rear respectively. Lastly, the A390_β concept is said to feature an active torque vectoring function.

The A390_β’s interior will likely see drastic changes for the production version.

Shown in the concept, atop the three-dimensional floor pattern, is a pair of aggressively shaped two-tone white-and-black sports bucket seats, adorned with Sabelt seatbelt harnesses.

Ahead of the driver is a race-inspired steering wheel and instrument display, while the driver’s seat can supposedly be adjusted into either a typical upright position or a Formula 1-style reclined position.

The pedals and steering wheel can also adjust accordingly.

There are white contoured bucket seats in the rear, too, while above the cabin is a full-glass roof.

The concept features rear-hinged back doors and no B-pillar to create a wide opening on either side of the cabin.

Given the safety implications of such a design, the production version will almost certainly receive a different approach.

The A390 follows Alpine’s naming convention, in which the ‘3’ refers to the size of the vehicle and the ’90’ to the brand’s “multi-purpose, everyday vehicles”.

It’s the second addition to Alpine’s new ‘dream garage’, a new, fully electric lineup of models.

Alpine doesn’t currently have a presence in Australia.

Its A110 sports coupe was sold here from 2018 to 2021, before it was withdrawn as it didn’t meet new side-impact regulations.

The French brand has yet to confirm plans to return to Australia, though the A290 hot hatch’s Renault cousin will come here in hot Turbo 3E guise.