Video: Alpine A290 makes its debut at the Festival of Speed

With its rally-inspired looks, the Alpine looked perfectly at home on the Hill, whisking its driver from 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds and demonstrating surging performance between the bends. Based on the new electric version of the Renault 5, the Alpine is a hot hatch version of that car with 218PS (160kW), a chunky body kit, and a pair of spotlights.

Alpine attempted to keep weight down to preserve the car’s handling, and it weighs less than 1,500kg, which is impressive even for a tiny EV – an electric Mini is more than 100kg heavier. The A290 gets a bespoke front subframe, multi-link rear suspension, brakes taken from the A110 sportscar, and tracks that have increased by 60mm compared to a Renault 5.

Alpine showcases past, present and future models at the Festival of Speed. At the Manufacturer grid, you’ll be able to feast your eyes on an aero-optimised 493PS (367kW) A110 Pikes Peak car and the Alpenglow concept, which fuses a carbon-fibre body fused to a hydrogen-powered motor producing 345PS (254kW). Meanwhile, a 1975 A110 Group 4 Tour de Force rally car and an A110 R Le Mans – one of 100 – will also be shown in the First Glance section.

The rest of the A110 range – including the A110S, A110 GT, A110 R and A110 Enstone – will participate in a manufacturer’s parade up the Hill.

Alpine will also use the Festival of Speed to promote its new Atelier Alpine programme, which offers customers 22 paint finishes with contrasting brake calliper paint and a range of alloy wheels.

Nic Burnside, MD of Alpine Cars UK, said: “Alpine always brings excitement to Goodwood, but this year will be particularly memorable. Together with truly astounding competition cars, Alpine will dynamically showcase how the brand is set to be more accessible and versatile than ever, the pure electric Alpine A290 appealing to a much-enlarged audience and demonstrating an exhilarating new direction for Alpine production models.”

In terms of motorsport, you’ll be able to see the BWT Alpine F1 show car, the 1970s V6 RS10 F1 car and the V6  A442B endurance racer.

The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed is underway, and you can watch every moment of the action on our live stream right here on GRR!