Alpine, the famed French automaker under Renault’s umbrella, has unveiled a bold new concept vehicle, the A390_β, signaling the company’s ambitious entry into the U.S. electric vehicle market by 2027. Set to become one of the cornerstone models in Alpine’s electric lineup, the A390 concept offers a futuristic blend of crossover versatility and sports-car-inspired design. The vehicle, currently at 85% production readiness, provides a tantalizing preview of Alpine’s electric future.
Alpine A390_β: A Glimpse into Alpine’s Electric Future
The Exterior: A Balance Between Elegance and Boldness
The design of the Alpine A390_β blurs the lines between a low-profile SUV and a stylish, robust sedan, creating a silhouette that stands out from the crowd. This concept vehicle rides on massive 22-inch front wheels and 23-inch rear wheels, offering a bold stance and presence on the road. These wheels are inspired by snowflakes, with a striking blue gemstone center that adds a dash of Alpine’s unique flair.
Unlike the classic circular headlights seen on the A110 sports car, the A390’s lighting design borrows cues from the Alpenglow concept. A sleek, thin LED bar stretches across the front, accented by illuminated triangles below—aptly named “Cosmic Dust.” This striking lighting signature extends to the rear, maintaining continuity and giving the car a futuristic, cohesive look. The perforated front bumper design further enhances the car’s aggressive styling, while aerodynamic details help to fine-tune its performance.
Alpine has integrated some innovative aerodynamic elements into the A390’s design. Air channels beneath the LED bar and through the hood guide airflow efficiently, similar to the “R-Wing” system featured on the Dodge Charger Daytona EV and Polestar 3. At the rear, a retractable light bar extends by up to 3.1 inches, working with the rear diffuser to adjust the vehicle’s drag coefficient, ultimately optimizing the electric range.
Interior: Formula 1 Meets Futuristic Comfort
Stepping inside the A390_β feels like entering a futuristic race car with an F1-inspired interior layout. The sculptural bucket seats, inspired by the brand’s F1 racing heritage, were meticulously crafted by scanning the actual seats used in Alpine’s Formula 1 cars. Though these racing-inspired seats will be replaced with more conventional ones in the production model, the concept showcases Alpine’s focus on merging high-performance elements with daily driving practicality.
The steering wheel follows the F1 theme with a yoke-style design, offering a sporty feel and minimalistic cabin setup. However, Alpine has also included a unique “F1 Mode,” which raises the pedals and reclines the driver’s seat to mimic the exact driving posture of Formula 1 drivers—a nod to Alpine’s motorsport legacy.
In terms of technology, the A390’s interior is just as innovative as its exterior. The dashboard features gauges that are holographically projected onto three glass panels protruding from the dash, adding to the futuristic ambiance of the cabin. Additionally, the one-piece rear seat, crafted from memory foam, highlights Alpine’s commitment to comfort and ergonomics, even in a performance-driven vehicle.
Powertrain and Performance: What Lies Beneath
Although Alpine has been tight-lipped about specific details regarding the A390’s powertrain, it’s widely speculated that the production version will feature a high-performance tri-motor setup, potentially borrowed from the platform that underpins the Nissan Ariya. If that’s the case, expect the A390 to deliver impressive all-wheel-drive capabilities, with enough power to match its futuristic looks.
Aerodynamic enhancements, like the retractable rear light bar and integrated diffuser, are expected to help maximize the vehicle’s range, making it not just a high-performance crossover but also an efficient electric vehicle.
Production Outlook: What We Can Expect
When Alpine finally brings the A390 to market, it will serve as one of the brand’s first U.S.-bound electric vehicles, set to arrive sometime after 2027. The company has made it clear that the exterior design of the production model will remain largely unchanged from this concept—about 85% of the design will carry over. However, the interior will undergo significant modifications to cater to everyday driving needs, likely toning down some of the more outlandish, concept-specific features like the holographic gauges and F1 seating.
Alpine’s plans don’t stop with the A390. The company is also working on an entire lineup of electric vehicles, including the A490, a larger crossover, the A310 four-door fastback, and a fully electric successor to the iconic A110 coupe. These models, alongside the A390, are set to define Alpine’s push into the global electric vehicle market.
Conclusion: Alpine’s Bold Step into the Electric Future
The Alpine A390_β concept represents much more than just a stylish crossover—it’s a statement of the brand’s electric ambitions. With an exterior that blends SUV robustness and sports-car elegance, along with an interior rooted in Formula 1 performance, this vehicle showcases Alpine’s intent to bring a unique blend of luxury, innovation, and motorsport DNA to the electric crossover market.
While the A390_β is still a concept, the fact that 85% of its design will make it to production means we’re looking at a close preview of what to expect when Alpine finally hits U.S. shores in 2027. For those who admire both performance and cutting-edge design, the A390 promises to be a vehicle worth waiting for.