Alpine, once known for its traditional sports cars, is now successfully attracting both loyal enthusiasts and new buyers with its electric hot hatch, the A290. The brand’s UK boss, Nicola Burnside, reports that the A290 is converting long-time petrolhead customers to electric vehicles (EVs), a surprising but welcome trend.
Rapid Growth and Broad Appeal
Alpine’s UK sales have surged by 267% in 2025, reaching 1,155 cars sold. This growth isn’t just from existing customers; the A290 is bringing in a younger demographic, particularly those in urban areas who prioritize EVs for city access.
“We’ve kept our original customer base…transitioning with us into EVs,” Burnside explained. “But we’ve also got a lot of younger customers…focused on an EV product.”
This demonstrates a shift in consumer preference, where even those traditionally resistant to electric vehicles are being won over by performance and practicality. The A290, based on the Renault 5 platform, appears to be bridging the gap between gasoline and electric performance.
Future Expansion: The A390 and Next-Gen A110
Alpine plans to further broaden its reach with the upcoming A390, a five-seater model Burnside claims will retain the agility of the A110 while appealing to a new customer base. This will be followed by an all-electric next-generation A110, signaling Alpine’s full commitment to an electrified future.
The success of the A290 is notable because it shows that even brands with strong historical ties to gasoline engines can effectively transition to EVs without losing their core audience. This model may serve as a blueprint for other automakers looking to navigate the shift towards electric mobility while maintaining brand identity and performance credentials.
Alpine’s strategy is working: they’re not just selling cars, they’re changing perceptions.
