FIRST DRIVE: Alpine A290 – New Hot Hatch Champion?

The A290 is Alpine’s second coming after the splendid A110 sports car – and it could scarcely be more of a change! Joining the family alongside the (ageing but brilliant) turbocharged, mid-engined, rear-drive sports car is… a front-wheel drive, electric hot hatchback.

Yes, yes, we know EVs haven’t quite hit the mark with enthusiasts yet. But hot hatches are few and far between these days, and the A110 was stand-out special, so we should both be excited and give Alpine credit for bucking a gloomy trend.

How then, does the Alpine A290 stack up? Over to Top Gear Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Jack Rix, to find out…

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00:00 Intro
01:21 The Alpine A290
03:01 Power and performance
05:26 Handling
07:21 Styling
09:23 Interior
10:18 Gadgets
13:40 On track
15:39 Conclusion

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