The Alpine A390 will soon be cheaper: the brand is preparing a rear-wheel-drive version to boost sales

The Alpine A390 has not achieved the commercial success the Norman brand had hoped for. According to our colleagues at Motor.es, sales of the most practical and family-oriented model in the range have failed to take off, which is why production was recently cut in half (the model is manufactured at Renault Group’s iconic plant in Dieppe, north of France).

Several factors may be behind this slow start. Firstly, its very high price (in Spain, the GT version starts at 67,500 euros, while the top-of-the-line GTS costs 78,000 euros). As a result, it competes directly with models such as the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Volvo EX60, and is also in close competition with the Porsche Macan Electric.

This brings us to the second possible reason for the low demand: its competitors offer batteries with higher capacity, greater range, and 800-volt architectures that support ultra-fast charging. The Alpine A390 falls short in these areas, though it boasts top-tier performance thanks to its three-motor drive system (one at the front axle and two at the rear).

The GT delivers 400 horsepower (295 kW) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, while the GTS reaches 470 horsepower (345 kW), cutting that time to 3.9 seconds. Both are equipped with an 89 kWh NCM (nickel, cobalt, manganese) battery, which provides them with a WLTP range of 549 km and 502 km respectively.

The new entry-level version could offer over 600 km of range

Alpine will soon take action with the launch of a new rear-wheel-drive version. It’s very likely to retain the two-motor rear axle, though we can’t rule out the possibility of it eventually getting one as well. Its main advantage over the GT and GTS models will be a much lower starting price, as it is likely to cost less than 60,000 euros, making it a much more attractive option.

In addition, its range is likely to improve thanks to the lower fuel consumption of the propulsion system. The A390 entry-level model is likely to achieve or even exceed 600 km of WLTP range, making it the most suitable option for long trips in this range. Of course, it will retain the sporty, agile, and dynamic character of the other variants.

In any case, it is highly likely that, just like the current Renault Scénic, the commercial lifespan of the Alpine A390 will be relatively short. Renault Group will launch a new platform in 2028 (RGEV Medium 2.0) featuring an 800-volt architecture, 15-minute charging (10-80%), and a range of up to 750 km WLTP. This platform, which will support the upcoming Rafale (2028) and Scénic (2029), will likely be used in the A390’s successor as well.

Source | Motor.es