Alpine has lifted the covers off a rally-ready version of its Renault 5-based A290 electric hot hatch.
Priced from €59,990 (£52,000 excluding VAT), the A290 Rallye has been extensively modified for competition use, with a stripped-out interior, a rollcage and bucket seats among the changes.
It also gains a limited-slip differential to better distribute its 217bhp and 221lb ft of torque between its front wheels.
This has resulted in tweaks to the A290’s reduction gearing, as well as its control software.
An exterior speaker is included to provide rally spectators with sound.
Braking has too been upgraded: the front discs now measure 350mm in diameter, rather than 320mm on the standard A290, and are fitted with six-piston calipers. The rear discs are slightly smaller than before, at 280mm.
A hydraulic handbrake is also fitted to help competition drivers navigate tight bends.
New ALP Racing Suspension dampers are included to cope with the rough-and-tumble of stage rallying and the standard wheels are replaced with 18in Evo Corse items shod with Michelin Pilot Sport A rubber.
The A290 Rallye will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it will be run up the estate’s hillclimb.
Alpine will also stage a one-make rally for the new car, backing competitors with factory support and the necessary charging infrastructure.
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Alpine seem to have a habit of this, base car plus go faster stripes, limited edition, extra special limited edition, very very Limited edition RR.... etc.
Ohter than it's own one off one make rally it's going to have pretty limited use.
AKA The Porsche Model Strategy
The Cayman comes with different Engines, Gearboxes and body types rather than reprogramed ECUs, shocks, colours and shocking price tag adjustments.
That'll be the Special RR Blanc Evolution Edition.
No A290 Rallye Sounds best because it has an extra Special loud Limited Edition Speaker!
I'm sure they'll put a "French hating brexitard" note on your graveyard so you can be happy forever after.
If I was spending this amount on a car, a car I'd use for fun, I'd sooner buy something second hand that's more interesting than an EV which simulates what an ICE powered car does for that kind of money.
I wonder if you can play Ice Crean van jingles through the exterior speaker?