Boy, is Renault having a nice time of it. In case it passed you buy, the firm’s new electric city car, the retro-inspired 5 E-Tech was voted European Car of the Year earlier this month - and as the Scenic won in 2024, the manufacturer is the first to win back-to-back titles since Fiat in the mid-‘90s. Now, granted, the ECOTY jury cannot always be relied upon to spot a deserving winner at 50 paces (Vauxhall Meriva, anyone?) but, as John H reiterated last month, we’re inclined to agree with the verdict this time around. Assuming you ignore every performance car launched in the last 12 months (as ECOTY insists on doing), the Renault 5 has well earned its gong.
But it was not alone on the podium this year because honours were shared with its sister car, the Alpine A290. Like a second sugar in your tea, this was a welcome revelation - not least because we were inclined to think the souped-up, Dieppe-fettled version even better. The only sticking point was the UK price, which we didn’t know when we drove the car back in November. But now we do: its maker has today confirmed that the A290 is available to order now from £33,500 for the 180hp version, or £36,000 if you want the 220hp car we drove.
Admittedly, this is a fairly significant step up from the £22,995 that you’ll pay for an entry-level Renault 5 - but that model is 60hp shy of the lower-powered Alpine, and by the tine you get to the 150hp Iconic range-topper you’re looking at the thick end of £30k. And on the basis that the starter A290 gets a 10-inch infotainment screen, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, LED headlights, privacy glass, wireless charging and 19-inch alloys to go with its sportier chassis, it could hardly said to be a poverty spec option.
Still, we’d nudge enthusiast buyers toward the higher-powered derivative, which knocks a full second of the 0-62mph time (6.4 seconds versus 7.4) and improves the achievable top speed to 105mph. Admittedly, thanks to the shared 52kWh battery, you’ll sacrifice 10 miles from the claimed WLTP range, but you do get uprated tyres and a smidge more torque (221lb ft vs 210lb ft), as well as access to the Alpine Telemetrics system.
If you really want to push the boat out, the modestly plusher GTS (think black wheels and lumber seat adjustment) is from £37,500, and the confetti-grade Premiere Edition, £38,500. In PCP terms, Alpine says you’ll be looking at between £345 and £415 a month (depending on trim level) on a 48-month contract and after a deposit of £5-6k, assuming an annual 6,000-mile limit.
Additionally, if you’re one of the early bird customers who has already paid a £250 deposit to reserve an A290 and confirm your order before February 4th using Renault’s finance provider, you’ll be eligible for up to three years of free servicing and what the firm calls a ‘VIP Alpine Experience’. These include a tour of the F1 facility at Enstone, track day experiences in an A110 at Thruxton or Knockhill, or entry and hospitality at a selection of major UK events where Alpine has a presence. Not a dealbreaker perhaps - but probably the manufacturer thinks the A290’s status as an award-winner is already a sufficient sweetener. Time will tell. Expect first deliveries in the spring if you're quick off the mark.
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