Alpine A290 Rallye is race-ready rally car you can actually buy

The Alpine A290 Rallye has been revealed as the brand’s first all-electric competition car, complete with an LSD and hydraulic handbrake.

The French sports car firm will showcase the its hot hatch competitor at this weekend’s Rallye Rouergue Rodez Aveyron Occitanie before it makes its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 10.

The Alpine A290 Rallye has been developed in line with the latest rally regulations and is intended to be usable across a range of events, from single-series racing to open competition. It will make its first competitive appearance later this year and is already available for customer orders, priced from €59,990, excluding VAT.

The A290 Rallye is based on the roadgoing version of Alpine’s first electric hot hatch, and uses the same 217bhp/221lb ft front-mounted motor as the regular GTS. However, the Viry-Châtillon-based engineering team has added a ZF limited slip differential for better traction, which has required an update to the gearbox and electronic management system.

Engineers have also given the chassis a reworking with running gear adapted by Alpine Racing including bespoke suspension with ALP Racing Suspension shock absorbers. Braking power has also been boosted, with six-piston monoblock callipers and 350mm discs on the front and a single-piston/280mm setup at the rear. To ensure peak racing performance, the ABS system has been replaced with a race-specific control, and there’s a proper hydraulic handbrake.

Bespoke 8×18-inch EVO Corse wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport A tyres, and there’s an FIA-approved roll cage and Sablet bucket seats, plus Alpine has developed a new external sound generator for this rally-spec model.

Alpine is positioning the A290 Rallye as a “gateway” to electric competition and will showcase its potential in a single-rally challenge in France later this year. An Alpine-themed paddock will be made available, with specific recharging infrastructure and high-level technical and sporting support, with specific prizes for top crews set to be announced.

Beyond that, customers will be able to enter their A290 Rallye independently in a variety of competitions.

Following its appearance at Goodwood, Alpine will take the A290 Rallye to the Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine in early September.