The Alpine A290 takes on Arctic temperatures in extreme weather EV testing

• Alpine A290 undergoes meticulous two-year development for June 2024 debut.
• Winter testing in Sweden, with temperatures below -30°C, assesses low grip performance.
• Collaboration with Michelin ensures specific 19-inch tyres for optimal all-weather performance.

EVs take on the cold and the Alpine A290 completes extreme weather winter testing

The Alpine A290 is gearing up for its debut in June 2024. Alpine’s engineering teams recently completed a crucial testing phase in Sweden’s Lapland. They subjected the A290 to extreme conditions with temperatures dropping below -30°C.

Throughout the year, Alpine has been refining the A290’s low grip characteristics. The EV has completed tests on tracks and open roads in harsh winter conditions. Rigorous full-scale tests are applied to all technical parameters to ensure the car meets the desired performance levels.

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Alpine CEO Philippe Krief underscores the importance of testing in challenging conditions:

“Our A290, the future compact B-segment electric sports car is currently being tested in the extreme and demanding conditions of Sweden’s Lapland. The target of this important stage is to confirm the direction we have taken with handling and agility, which is part of our DNA on low grip conditions. To fine-tune its development so that it can be effective in all circumstances and all-weather conditions, the winter development stage of the A290 is crucial as it is a completely new car. Our engineering team has scrutinised all the criteria, and the results bode extremely well for its launch in the coming months.“ 

Alpine’s technical teams are thoroughly evaluating the car’s capabilities in all extreme weather scenarios. That includes heating, defogging, defrosting, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on snow.

The recently unveiled A290 prototype features its definitive bodywork and dimensions. The hatchback is 3,990 mm long, 1,820 mm wide, and 1,520 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,530 mm. The Alpine sport steering wheel, crafted in Nappa leather, features functions borrowed from Alpine’s Formula 1 steering wheels.

Alpine has strengthened its partnership with Michelin for tyre development. Therefore, the A290 will feature 19-inch tyres, including a Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 winter tyre and two sport summer tyres—Pilot Sport EV and Pilot Sport S5—tailored for optimal performance in various driving conditions.

These extreme cold tests in Sweden mark a crucial step in the A290’s development journey. As the June 2024 unveiling approaches, the A290 aims to make its mark in the full-electric hot hatch sports car segment with a focus on performance and adaptability in challenging environments. What’s more, it stands as a statement against the naysayers; you can drive an EV anytime, anywhere, in any weather.