As Alpine nears the final stages of development for its much-anticipated A390, its engineering teams are putting the sport fastback through rigorous testing to ensure it meets the brand’s high standards of performance, agility, and driving pleasure. The testing is taking place at Michelin’s Ladoux Technology Centre in France, a state-of-the-art facility designed to push vehicles to their limits.
This isn’t just any testing ground—Ladoux’s 4,100-meter wet test track is where the A390 is being challenged to showcase its exceptional chassis balance on slippery, wet roads. The track’s demanding conditions provide the ideal environment for refining the technologies that underpin the A390’s dynamic performance. For Alpine, it’s all about perfecting the driving experience and ensuring that every aspect of the vehicle lives up to the legacy of the brand’s legendary A110.
The Alpine DNA: Performance Meets Space
Alpine’s approach to the A390 has been clear from the outset: to combine the agile, responsive handling of the A110 with the practical space of a true 5-seater sport fastback. At 4,615 mm in length, 1,532 mm in height, and 1,885 mm in width, the A390 is designed to offer a driving experience that is both thrilling and versatile, with enough room for five passengers. This balance of performance and practicality is a hallmark of the Alpine brand, which has always been about more than just speed—it’s about delivering an immersive, enjoyable experience behind the wheel.
Innovation at the Core: Alpine Active Torque Vectoring
One of the standout technologies in the A390 is Alpine’s exclusive Active Torque Vectoring, a system that distributes power across the vehicle’s three electric motors to maximize handling and stability. The system provides exceptional agility, particularly on wet or slippery surfaces, ensuring the A390 performs with precision even when the conditions are less than ideal. This dynamic technology works seamlessly with the A390’s five driving modes, including the new Track Mode, designed specifically for high-performance conditions.
Track Mode adjusts the settings of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to allow for more freedom and control, giving drivers a more engaged and exhilarating experience on the track. These technologies, along with the development of Michelin’s specific tyres for the A390—Pilot Sport EV (20-inch) and Pilot Sport 4S (21-inch)—are crucial in fine-tuning the A390’s performance and ensuring it lives up to Alpine’s reputation for driving excellence.
Alpine Drive Sound: Enhancing the Experience
In keeping with its focus on the driver’s experience, Alpine is also refining the Alpine Drive Sound system for the A390. Designed to enhance the driving environment, this system creates a unique sound profile that adds another layer of immersion to the experience. Like the A290, the A390 will feature two distinct sound settings—one sporty, derived from the A110’s iconic sound signature (without mimicking a combustion engine), and another more subdued, designed for everyday driving. These sounds can be adjusted to two different volumes or even switched off entirely, giving drivers control over how much they want the sound to enhance their driving experience.
A Look Ahead: The Grand Unveiling
The culmination of years of engineering, testing, and refinement will come on 27 May 2025, when Alpine unveils the A390 to the world in Dieppe, France—just days before the brand celebrates its 70th anniversary. The A390 marks a new chapter for Alpine, combining cutting-edge technology, unparalleled driving dynamics, and practical design in a single vehicle.
Whether you’re a long-time enthusiast of the brand or a newcomer to the world of Alpine, the A390 promises to be a vehicle that will excite and inspire. From its thrilling performance to its innovative technologies, the A390 is a testament to Alpine’s commitment to delivering driving pleasure at the highest level.
As the countdown to its world debut begins, one thing is clear: the A390 will be worth the wait.
