Alpine A290 Design Preview Cold Tests

The A290 has been fine-tuning its low grip characteristics since the start of the year, in the most extreme weather conditions with temperatures that can drop below -30°C. Alpine's technical teams test the prototypes on tracks and open roads in these conditions to ensure excellence across the board.

All the technical parameters are subject to full-scale tests to guarantee the required performance levels are achieved.

As with every Alpine, particular attention is given to dynamic performance on the A290. Engine responsiveness, brio, driving precision and agility are all given the utmost attention to deliver a driving experience that extends to extreme conditions.

A wide range of equipment is also being tested, including heating, the quality of defogging and defrosting, and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) on snow. None of these points can be reproduced in a technical centre and can only be validated in extremely cold conditions.

For its first official outing, the A290 sported Alpine's original camouflage, the 'A-Arrow' logo on the roof and the Alpine Blue colour scheme. The prototype was presented for the first time with its definitive bodywork and validated dimensions: length 3,990 mm, width 1,820 mm, height 1,520 mm, wheelbase 2,530 mm.

The A290 also unveiled an exclusive Alpine sport steering wheel in Nappa leather, with a flattened surface and a centre point, reminiscent of motorsport that is so much a part of the brand's DNA. It includes three essential functions borrowed from Alpine's Formula 1 steering wheels: OV (Overtake), RCH (Recharge) and Drive modes with one-touch access.