The Alpine A290 has made an unforgettable entrance into the FIA EcoRally Cup, securing three victories and multiple podium finishes in its very first season. Piloted by Alpine ambassador Manu Guigou, the 100% electric hot hatch has proven that a road-going city car can excel not only in energy efficiency but also in precision, agility, and pure driving excitement.
A Remarkable Debut
Competing in a championship reserved exclusively for production electric vehicles, the Alpine A290 quickly established itself as a benchmark. Guigou, best known for guiding the A110 Rally to the French Rally Championship two-wheel-drive title, teamed up with seasoned co-driver Émilien Le Borgne to take on Category 2, which showcases newly-released vehicles. Despite stiff competition—including several World and National Champions—the duo made an immediate impact at the Eco Rallye de la Comunitat Valenciana in Spain.
Guigou’s resilience shone through after recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery. He claimed his first podium at the Oeiras Eco Rally in Portugal, then went on to win the Mahle Eco Rally in Slovenia—the very event where he had previously secured the A110 Rally’s first international overall victory. Further wins followed at the e-Rallye Ardenne Road in Belgium and EcoRally Scotland, with another podium at the E-Rallye du Chablais in Switzerland, cementing the A290’s reputation as a formidable competitor.
Mastering Europe’s Legendary Roads
Following homologation, the A290 GTS competed in the premier class, taking podiums at the Ecorallye A Coruña in Spain and the Eco Rally Madeira in Portugal. The car’s performance reached a pinnacle at the prestigious E-Rallye Monte-Carlo, where Guigou finished as the best performer. The season concluded triumphantly at the ECO Dolomites GT in Italy, with the A290 demonstrating exceptional chassis balance, precision, and responsiveness across some of Europe’s most demanding roads.
A Human and Technological Adventure
Beyond competition, Alpine engaged fans at every stage of the calendar. Alpine Stores across host countries showcased the A290 in high-performance demonstrations, giving enthusiasts the chance to experience the car firsthand. In Slovenia, the EcoRally coincided with the commercial launch of the A290 at the Alpine Store in Lesce. In Belgium, Guigou and Le Borgne participated in a testing day with fans, and the duo were the first to drive the A290 GTS on Madeira’s scenic roads.
“The FIA EcoRally Cup epitomises the profound transformation of the automotive industry,” said Guigou. “It offers the chance to compete on legendary roads with your own car. The Alpine A290’s agility, liveliness, balance, precision, and efficiency make it a joy to drive. Thanks to Émilien’s expert co-driving and the car’s qualities, we were able to compete at the sharp end from the start, inspiring other crews to join the competition.”
Alpine: A Legacy of Innovation
Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, Alpine has long been synonymous with French sports car excellence. The 2018 A110 reaffirmed the brand’s core values of lightweight design, agility, and driving pleasure. Today, Alpine continues to innovate within Renault Group, competing in Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship, while also offering customer racing programmes in Rally, Cup, and GT4.
The A290’s debut in the FIA EcoRally Cup marks a new chapter: the transition to 100% electric sports cars. With the launch of its hot hatch A290 and the upcoming sport fastback A390, Alpine is proving that electrification can coexist with passion, performance, and authentic driving pleasure.
The first season is in the books, but Alpine’s journey with the A290 is only just beginning—and the electric thrill is only set to accelerate.
