The roar of combustion engines has long been the soundtrack of rally racing—but this weekend, a new note was added: the quiet, electrifying hum of the Alpine A290 Rally. For the first time, an all-electric rally car competed directly against its petrol-powered counterparts, leaving an indelible mark on the French rallying landscape.
A Landmark Debut
Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé rose to the challenge, delivering the first ten Alpine A290 Rally cars on schedule. Drivers collected their vehicles on Wednesday ahead of a shakedown at La Châtre circuit, where the symbolic chassis No. 001, entrusted to Philippe Janvier—a scion of a family tied to Alpine since the 1970s—bridged the brand’s heritage with its electric future.
From Goodwood Festival of Speed to Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine, the A290 had already showcased its potential, but the Rallye de l’Indre-Buzançais represented its baptism of fire. The stakes were high, and the spotlight unflinching.
Rabilloud and Mahinc Make History
Friday saw the Alpine A290 Rally Trophy officially kick off, featuring a blend of seasoned drivers and emerging talents on a challenging course. Melvin Rabilloud and Enzo Mahinc immediately etched their names into rally history, claiming victory on the opening special stage despite treacherous wet conditions. The Fun Meca Sport duo dominated the next two timed sectors, holding off fierce competition from Guillaume Sirot – Julie Chabannes and Julien Brégeon – Amélie Arrivé.
By the end of the rally, Rabilloud and Mahinc had not only won the inaugural Alpine A290 Rally Trophy but also achieved an extraordinary eighth place overall—a remarkable feat for a maiden electric rally outing. This victory secured Rabilloud an official Alpine A110 Rally entry for a round of the 2026 French Rally Championship, cementing his position as a trailblazer in Alpine’s electric racing journey.
Performance, Reliability, and Versatility
The weekend offered more than just competition—it was a proving ground for the A290 Rally’s potential. The car’s agile chassis, precise braking, and overall efficiency enabled it to battle Rally4 combustion-engine cars stage after stage. With more than half of its special stages finishing in the top ten overall and only two retirements—both driver errors—the A290 Rally demonstrated a flawless combination of performance and reliability.
Beyond the track, the Alpine A290 Rally Trophy provided a comprehensive support ecosystem for participants: eco-friendly charging, technical assistance, spare parts, and a format that ensured fairness across the field. This forward-thinking approach signals Alpine’s commitment to integrating sustainable electric competition into the traditional rallying arena.
Looking Ahead
The successful debut of the Alpine A290 Rally at the Rallye de l’Indre-Buzançais bodes exceptionally well for the 2026 season. Whether in open competition or within the single-make Alpine Rally Trophy, the car has proven it can stand toe-to-toe with conventional engines while offering a unique, thrilling driving experience.
Reflecting on the achievement, Melvin Rabilloud said, “We are incredibly proud to have won the inaugural Alpine A290 Rally Trophy. It’s special to be the first to make history with this new car. Its performance, playfulness, and particularly impressive chassis and brakes allowed us to run in the top ten overall throughout the rally. Finishing eighth overall is very promising for a first outing, and I want to thank the Alpine teams for their development work and Alpine Store Annecy for their trust and commitment to us.”
Results at a Glance
Alpine A290 Rallye Trophy – Rallye de l’Indre-Buzançais
- Melvin Rabilloud – Enzo Mahinc 1h15m40.2s
- Samuel Hoarau – Stéphane Duverger +1m52.2s
- Julien Brégeon – Amélie Arrivé +2m10.3s
- Denis Ridel – Gaëtan Debec +2m47s
- Sandro Negre – Gilles Gaussens +4m02.7s
- Philippe Janvier – Julie Derory +6m51.3s
Alpine A290 Rallye Trophy – 2025 season
- Melvin Rabilloud 58 points
- Samuel Hoarau 34 points
- Julien Brégeon 29 points
Alpine Store Challenge
- Alpine Store Annecy 58 points
- Alpine Store Toulouse 20 points
- Alpine Store Guadeloupe 15 points
The Alpine A290 Rally’s pioneering performance signals a new era in rallying: electric, exciting, and undeniably competitive. As Alpine continues to innovate, fans and drivers alike can look forward to an electrifying future on every rally stage.
