First Drive: Can Alpine work its famous French magic on a performance SUV with A390 GTS?

What is it?

We’ve already driven the A390, but that drive was limited to the standard GT model. Here, it’s the turn of the high-performance GTS model.

What’s new?

Engineers have given the platform a three-motor set-up (two electric motors at the rear, one on each wheel, and one motor on the front axle), and overhauled components such as the suspension and engineered a new active torque vectoring system to give a properly sporting feel. The GTS takes all of this and adds a slug more power.

What’s under the bonnet?

Unsurprisingly, with all this extra grunt, the GTS doesn’t travel as far on its 89kWh (useable) battery pack. Alpine claims 329 miles for the GTS, which is 16 miles less than the GT, but otherwise there’s the same 190kW peak DC charging rate, 25-minute 10-to-80-per-cent charging time, and the option to pay extra to upgrade the standard 11kW AC charging rate to 22kW. There’s also vehicle-to-load, allowing you to charge up other electric devices from the car’s battery.

In my drive, on a variety of Italian roads in 37-degree heat, the best efficiency I could manage was a pretty disappointing 2.6 miles per kWh, equating to a real-world range of 231 miles.

What’s it like to drive?

Once you’ve stopped hooning around, the GTS settles down on the road. The A390 gets passive, not adaptive dampers, so it’s even more impressive that the A390 can be taut on the track and fairly supple on the road. There’s still a firm edge over undulations and road imperfections, but it’s a sporty car after all. The steering is accurate and very nicely weighted, and the whole package gives a Porsche Macan Electric a very good run for its money.

How does it look?

Alpine has cleverly taken some key A110 design themes like the central ‘spine’ motif on the bonnet and arching roofline, and successfully incorporated them into a high-riding SUV body shape. There’s a modern take on the A110’s classic four-headlamp design, plus a clever bonnet ‘blade’ that works with the various other tricks on the body to make the car as slippery as possible.

What’s it like inside?

Overall, though, the dashboard is a little too similar to other Renault models like the Scenic, and while the fit and finish is very good and the leather options feel plush, the cabin just doesn’t feel special enough. While there’s loads of room up front, the back seats are a little on the claustrophobic side – a feeling that isn’t helped by small windows and there being no option for a panoramic roof. The 552-litre boot is very large, though.

What’s the spec like?

At £69,390, the A390 GTS sits pretty favourably compared to a Porsche Macan Electric or Audi SQ6 e-tron, but can’t beat the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N on price. It certainly doesn’t make the Alpine a bargain, but it’s a fair price considering its performance and handling panache.

Verdict

It’s a shame that the A390 doesn’t quite fulfil the mundane practical elements, such as a spacious interior and decent efficiency figures that many buyers would expect from an electric SUV. But there’s no denying that Alpine has worked its magic on the SUV formula, and built a car that is genuinely engaging to drive and has some real fizz to it. The GTS deserves to stand out in a very competitive and brand-loyal market.