Alpine A390 - Cold tests Kiruna - Design Preview

Alpine engineering is central to the development of all the brand's models. The A390 is no exception and is undergoing the final tests before its launch in a few months to fine-tune the technologies that will make it the brand's next flagship model. These extreme climatic conditions make it possible to ensure the excellence of the future production model in terms of durability and reliability by reproducing conditions equivalent to five years of accelerated use.

With temperatures reaching -40°, tests on snowy roads or frozen lakes are necessary for the development teams to validate performance. Severely tested to ensure an exhilarating experience for future A390 owners, the aim is to achieve the performance level and agility expected of an Alpine, while remaining accessible and progressive to adapt to the level of the driver, with a level of repeatability that is essential when it comes to an electric vehicle and a critical development point for Alpine engineering.

Particular attention is paid to dynamic performance, which is key in developing any Alpine vehicle. Lapland is the perfect proving ground for testing the technologies that equip the A390, such as the 3 electric motor drive system and the A390's 5 driving modes, including the new "Track Mode" and Alpine Active Torque Vectoring. These tests in actual conditions are an opportunity for future buyers of this model to experience the physical sensation of driving in extreme conditions and thus refine all the settings and interactions of the various systems to ensure an exceptional feel and road handling.

Numerous features are also scrutinised, such as the heating, demisting, and defrosting quality, as well as the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) on snow. There are so many points that it is not possible to replicate perfectly in warmer conditions, which testing in extreme cold in actual conditions can only validate.