Alpine A290 orders
Discussion
Thought I'd start a thread in the right forum, and avoid a more general conversation about the rights and wrongs of EVs..
Anyone had experience of pre-ordering cars in the past? It looks like the first Alpines will arrive too soon for me, and won't be a way of delaying the order. Also not sure if it'll make it onto the salary sacrifice schemes. Some of the first insights into the specs.
Suspect that the GT version would tick many of the boxes for me.
Anyone had experience of pre-ordering cars in the past? It looks like the first Alpines will arrive too soon for me, and won't be a way of delaying the order. Also not sure if it'll make it onto the salary sacrifice schemes. Some of the first insights into the specs.
Suspect that the GT version would tick many of the boxes for me.
So you're not asking about the car or the EV aspect, literally just asking if anyone has had experience of pre-ordering a car..?
Assuming so; yes I have and for mainstream cars like this it's really no different to ordering a car that's already released and selling well. Either way you get a lead time which is an estimate, but usually fairly reliable baring unforeseen component supply or fault report issues etc.
But if you want a company car from a scheme and really need it to arrive more or less exactly when you want it too, you're probably better choosing one that has short delivery lead time and you know is already in stock or at least stock that has an allocated build slot.
One last note on pre-ordering an unreleased car, check the small print regards the manufacturers policy of last minute spec changes. IE; if they advertise the 'F1 steering wheel' on the GT variant but there is a problem found with it, if it's the only thing holding up getting the cars produced, you can assume they'll build your car with the regular steering wheel... These things do happen and there's usually some fore-warning or at least some sort of pre-emptive compensation - but worth checking the small print to ensure you have a get-out or some form of recourse just in case.
Assuming so; yes I have and for mainstream cars like this it's really no different to ordering a car that's already released and selling well. Either way you get a lead time which is an estimate, but usually fairly reliable baring unforeseen component supply or fault report issues etc.
But if you want a company car from a scheme and really need it to arrive more or less exactly when you want it too, you're probably better choosing one that has short delivery lead time and you know is already in stock or at least stock that has an allocated build slot.
One last note on pre-ordering an unreleased car, check the small print regards the manufacturers policy of last minute spec changes. IE; if they advertise the 'F1 steering wheel' on the GT variant but there is a problem found with it, if it's the only thing holding up getting the cars produced, you can assume they'll build your car with the regular steering wheel... These things do happen and there's usually some fore-warning or at least some sort of pre-emptive compensation - but worth checking the small print to ensure you have a get-out or some form of recourse just in case.
df76 said:
Good point on the small print issue and final vehicle specs, and could be more important if there’s a variation in any battery tech or charging. Also if the prices between the versions is close there could be some regret when monthly payments are not massively different.
Indeed.Although in all likelihood, for this sort of car, it'll all be fine and as described. I very much doubt any changes to battery/drivetrain would occur, I wouldn't worry about that sort of thing. If such a fundamental change was to occur then statutory rights would protect you.
zayn said:
No Blade battery and only 50kw , even with the best management this will be no better than the stellantis 50kw models now which are poor for range.
I have to admit that whilst I know the car will sell well, as will the Renault 5 version, I don't really 'get' why they're low powered, given they're supposed to be a modern equivalent of a now VERY old car.It's got a wider track, setup for more hardcore driving etc... yet still has sod all power! Back when the R5 GTT was a current car, it was considerably faster than most hot hatches. But the new R5 and the slightly more powerful A290 in top trim aren't actually much faster than the old R5 GTT and not even as fast a standard ICE golf Gti, or any number of other hot hatches that so easily make more power.
Cute cars, but I don't really see why the R5 is being marketed with 'GT', 'GTS' badges if it's not at all a hot hatch by modern standards. I also don't understand why, if the Alpine version is supposed to be the performance option, it has so little extra performance. It's small EV, giving it a fun slug of power costs nothing other than a marginally larger motor. There is no tangible economy penalty for doing so either either. Are Renault/Alpine just being mean for the sake of it...??
TheDeuce said:
I have to admit that whilst I know the car will sell well, as will the Renault 5 version, I don't really 'get' why they're low powered, given they're supposed to be a modern equivalent of a now VERY old car.
It's got a wider track, setup for more hardcore driving etc... yet still has sod all power! Back when the R5 GTT was a current car, it was considerably faster than most hot hatches. But the new R5 and the slightly more powerful A290 in top trim aren't actually much faster than the old R5 GTT and not even as fast a standard ICE golf Gti, or any number of other hot hatches that so easily make more power.
Cute cars, but I don't really see why the R5 is being marketed with 'GT', 'GTS' badges if it's not at all a hot hatch by modern standards. I also don't understand why, if the Alpine version is supposed to be the performance option, it has so little extra performance. It's small EV, giving it a fun slug of power costs nothing other than a marginally larger motor. There is no tangible economy penalty for doing so either either. Are Renault/Alpine just being mean for the sake of it...??
I suspect its all about the battery.It's got a wider track, setup for more hardcore driving etc... yet still has sod all power! Back when the R5 GTT was a current car, it was considerably faster than most hot hatches. But the new R5 and the slightly more powerful A290 in top trim aren't actually much faster than the old R5 GTT and not even as fast a standard ICE golf Gti, or any number of other hot hatches that so easily make more power.
Cute cars, but I don't really see why the R5 is being marketed with 'GT', 'GTS' badges if it's not at all a hot hatch by modern standards. I also don't understand why, if the Alpine version is supposed to be the performance option, it has so little extra performance. It's small EV, giving it a fun slug of power costs nothing other than a marginally larger motor. There is no tangible economy penalty for doing so either either. Are Renault/Alpine just being mean for the sake of it...??
the stellanis cars have very poor range, I'm inclined to think that giving more power would really hammer the range down to laughable levels.
TheDeuce said:
zayn said:
No Blade battery and only 50kw , even with the best management this will be no better than the stellantis 50kw models now which are poor for range.
I have to admit that whilst I know the car will sell well, as will the Renault 5 version, I don't really 'get' why they're low powered, given they're supposed to be a modern equivalent of a now VERY old car.It's got a wider track, setup for more hardcore driving etc... yet still has sod all power! Back when the R5 GTT was a current car, it was considerably faster than most hot hatches. But the new R5 and the slightly more powerful A290 in top trim aren't actually much faster than the old R5 GTT and not even as fast a standard ICE golf Gti, or any number of other hot hatches that so easily make more power.
Cute cars, but I don't really see why the R5 is being marketed with 'GT', 'GTS' badges if it's not at all a hot hatch by modern standards. I also don't understand why, if the Alpine version is supposed to be the performance option, it has so little extra performance. It's small EV, giving it a fun slug of power costs nothing other than a marginally larger motor. There is no tangible economy penalty for doing so either either. Are Renault/Alpine just being mean for the sake of it...??
df76 said:
Clearly they’re massively constrained by what Renault give them (and permit them to do), but I don’t see the issue with the stated performance levels. Looks just about right for fun on the road.
There's a 'hot' variant of the Renault car, then the Alpine version of the same car is hotter still.Yet still like warm compared to other hot hatches ever had for about a decade. Despite EV being effortlesslyband cheaply able to match such performance levels.
There has to be some fundamental limitation with their battery/motor. Perhaps they have to limit motor RPM range for reliability or efficiency and therefore can't use higher ratio final gearing to increase wheel hp and torque. Or perhaps the relatively small battery doesn't have the bandwidth to provide power for a larger motor without it's suffering it's own reliability issues.
Could be several things - but plainly others are achieving more without a problem.
I'm not suggesting that 0-60 in 6s is insufficient, but plainly those looking to buy a hot hatch are going to compare with the competition before buying.
The A290 is high on my list, and I don’t care about acceleration. Hot hatches should feel “peppy” not “monstrous”.
I’ve had 3x MINI’s, so the new SE (and rumoured JCW E unveiled at Goodwood) really appeals, but it’s 200kg more than the A290.
Like so many ICE drivers, I thought I needed “the biggest battery possible” and it still might not be enough. Nearly 2yrs living with a 300+ mile EV and I’ve used the full range a handful of times, so looking forward to swapping to something smaller.
I’ve had 3x MINI’s, so the new SE (and rumoured JCW E unveiled at Goodwood) really appeals, but it’s 200kg more than the A290.
Like so many ICE drivers, I thought I needed “the biggest battery possible” and it still might not be enough. Nearly 2yrs living with a 300+ mile EV and I’ve used the full range a handful of times, so looking forward to swapping to something smaller.
df76 said:
ChrisW. said:
Why would you pre-order a car (with a deposit) when Alpine haven't said what the cost might be ?
I asked the question last week and I'm still waiting ...
I guess with the deposit being refundable it’s not a huge issue. I asked the question last week and I'm still waiting ...
Although personally I'd wait and see what the launch lease deals look like, often leasing costs less than depreciation.
A500leroy said:
Is it 'Alpine' or 'Alpeen'?
It's 'Alpeen'. As the proper noun of a French brand it is pronounced as the natives would. As an adjective you'd use local pronunciation.'Alpine' make car stereos.
(As an aside I think English is peculiar in also using the sound 'eye' for the letter 'i' - in most European languages it forms the 'ee' sound only
)Hoofty said:
A500leroy said:
Is it 'Alpine' or 'Alpeen'?
It's 'Alpeen'. As the proper noun of a French brand it is pronounced as the natives would. As an adjective you'd use local pronunciation.'Alpine' make car stereos.
(As an aside I think English is peculiar in also using the sound 'eye' for the letter 'i' - in most European languages it forms the 'ee' sound only
)German A290 configurator is also now available as well as the German prices. They are:
- GT (180 hp) 38.700 EUR
- GT Performance (220 hp) 41.900 EUR
- GT Premium (180 hp) 42.600 EUR
- GTS (220 hp) 45.600 EUR
- Premiere Edition (220 hp) 46.200 EUR
The German configurator can be found here:
https://www.alpinecars.de/elektromodelle/a290/konf...
- GT (180 hp) 38.700 EUR
- GT Performance (220 hp) 41.900 EUR
- GT Premium (180 hp) 42.600 EUR
- GTS (220 hp) 45.600 EUR
- Premiere Edition (220 hp) 46.200 EUR
The German configurator can be found here:
https://www.alpinecars.de/elektromodelle/a290/konf...
df76 said:
Orders now fully open in France for the A290. Starting at €34.7k (£29k ish) for the GT spec, up to €42k for the full fat Premier edition launch version.
(France appears to benefit from an EV discount of €4K being knocked off the list price).
(France appears to benefit from an EV discount of €4K being knocked off the list price).
Edited by df76 on Tuesday 30th July 17:19
TheDeuce said:
I have to admit that whilst I know the car will sell well, as will the Renault 5 version, I don't really 'get' why they're low powered, given they're supposed to be a modern equivalent of a now VERY old car.
Hammering range would not really be an issue, but the battery might have some serious limits.It could have several reasons. First off, of course the battery is "only" 50kwh. A lot of the really potent EV's have batteries that are significantly larger.
Second part is that some of those can overheat quite easily. Tesla and Porsche seem to be pretty good at avoiding that these days, even with ridiculous power numbers.
Some manufacturers provide for a temporary "overboost" to circumvent that issue.
My best guess is that Stellantis just has some serious issues getting with the program in that sense.
That said, I don't see another reason why a 50kwh battery couldn't put out a consistent 290cv without overstressing the batteries, it would still be undercutting the kwh/hp ballance of a TM3P/5N and it would make this car a veritable pocket rocket.
Edited by ZesPak on Wednesday 31st July 13:10
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