Alpine A290 Rally Trophy: the electric revolution in French rallying

After making its mark in modern rallying with the A110 RGT, Alpine is taking things to the next level 💪

The Dieppe-based brand is launching its first 100% electric race car: the Alpine A290 Rallye. Derived from the sporty A290 city car—already available in four versions (GT, GT Premium, GT Performance and GTS)—this competition variant represents a major turning point not only for the brand but for the discipline itself.

It was unveiled on short notice, on the sidelines of the Rallye Rouergue Aveyron Occitanie 2025: Alpine’s very first 100% electric competition car ⚡

Homologated in Group FRCe and classified in Class e-Rally5, the Alpine A290 Rallye joins the same category as the Opel Mokka-e GSE Rally from the ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup. This classification, validated by the FFSA, allows the car to compete in the French Rally Championship under an official regulatory framework, alongside its combustion-powered rivals.

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Developed by Alpine Racing in Viry-Châtillon and assembled in Dieppe, the A290 Rallye was designed from the outset for customer racing. It’s not an experimental prototype but a fully developed car, ready to be run by private teams.

And the main players in French rallying wasted no time getting involved: Fun Meca Sport, Chazel Technologie Course, Express Auto Sport, David Auto Compétition and Rageau Sport Location are already among the teams that have announced their participation in the Alpine A290 Trophy 🥳

The Alpine A290 Rallye uses the technical base of the GT Performance version, but every component has been reworked for competition. Under the hood is the 220 hp (160 kW) electric motor producing 300 Nm of torque, powered by a 52 kWh (400 V DC) battery. The transmission has been adapted for rallying with a specific reduction gear and a ZF limited-slip differential—features not found on the road-going version.

The suspension has been completely re-engineered: ALP Racing Suspension dampers, stiffer anti-roll bars, adjustable camber and recalibrated steering for sharper feedback. The braking system, directly inspired by the A390, impresses with six-piston monobloc calipers and 350 mm ventilated front discs, complemented by 280 mm discs and a single-piston caliper at the rear. A competition-specific ABS has been developed—more responsive and far less intrusive than the road car’s version—delivering remarkable stopping power despite its 1,530 kg dry weight ⚖️

On the mechanical side, cooling has been thoroughly optimized. The motor benefits from a redesigned water-oil exchanger, reducing operating temperatures by nearly 50% compared with the standard version. As for the battery, it remains identical to the road-going model, but its thermal management system has been reworked for rallying: it is now coupled with the original air-conditioning system, ensuring consistent performance throughout a special stage 👍

The only real limitation for now is power. According to early testers, the chassis and braking could easily handle an extra hundred horsepower, so impressive is the overall balance. Range depends heavily on pace: in competition conditions, it’s around 50 km per charge, which makes energy management a key strategic factor on longer stages 🤯

The car sits on Evo Corse 8x18-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport A tires and features a hydraulic handbrake, essential for tight hairpins. In terms of safety, nothing has been overlooked: FIA-welded roll cage, Sabelt bucket seats, six-point harnesses, and an automatic fire extinguisher come as standard ✅

Surprisingly for a rally car, the A290 Rallye retains certain comfort features from the road version, such as the central touchscreen and even the rearview camera—proof that this electrified city car hasn’t lost its practical edge despite its racing conversion.

Priced at €59,990 before tax, fully built and painted with standard tires, the A290 Rallye stays true to Alpine’s spirit: performance, precision, and accessibility. Several optional extras are available, such as a Lazer light bar, a set of four additional wheels, a “setup kit” for suspension tuning, and even custom paintwork 🎨

👉 All official information, the technical brochure, and contact details for ordering are available on the alpinecars.fr website

On the road: an impressive chassis and true Alpine handling

The first dynamic tests took place on the Linas-Montlhéry road circuit, under far from ideal conditions: damp tarmac, 13°C, fallen leaves. Despite this, journalists praised a “devilish” chassis and rare precision. The powerful brakes, the front end glued to the ground, and the agile rear axle earned unanimous approval. The highly communicative steering and the exemplary traction from the ZF differential turn this city car into a genuine time attack machine ⏱️

The absence of a gearbox or engine noise doesn’t take away from the sensation of speed. Several testers even admitted forgetting they were driving an electric car, so natural are its balance and responsiveness. The only caveat concerns outright performance: with 220 hp for 1,530 kg, acceleration remains modest—but the driving pleasure is definitely there.

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A mechanical (not virtual!) sound to keep the magic of rallying alive

Alpine wanted to avoid the pitfall of absolute silence. The A290 Rallye features a mechanical sound system—not virtual: a small turbine integrated into an airbox under the hood produces a variable tone reminiscent of a combustion engine. A very different approach from Opel’s Corsa e-Rally, which simply used speakers. This choice aims to preserve the emotional connection between driver, spectator, and car — a key detail in a discipline where sound is part of rallying’s magic 😍

ℹ️ Despite this attention to sound, criticisms have been numerous. On forums and social media, many enthusiasts struggle to accept the arrival of electric rally cars. Some joke about the “vacuum cleaner” noise, others talk about a “sanitized rally,” fearing that special stages might lose their unique atmosphere 😞

Debates are often heated—between those defending technological transition and those who believe a rally without mechanical roar isn’t really a rally anymore.

In video: the Alpine A290 Rallye and its surprising exterior sound ⚡🎥

Alpine A290 Trophy: the first 100% electric rally in France 🏆

The 2025 Rallye National de l’Indre will go down in history as a turning point. On November 8–9, the Berry region hosted the very first official race for an all-electric Alpine, marking the creation of the Alpine A290 Rallye Trophy. For the first time in the world, electric and combustion-powered cars competed on the same course, the same leaderboard, and under the same timing system.

Ten units of the A290 Rallye, produced and delivered on time by the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé, took the start of this inaugural edition. Each crew received its car a few days before the event, with a shakedown held at the La Châtre circuit. Among them, chassis no. 001, entrusted to Philippe Janvier, carried strong symbolism, bridging Alpine’s 1970s history with its new electric era.

And history will remember one name: Melvin Rabilloud, partnered with Enzo Mahinc under the Fun Meca Sport banner and supported by the Alpine Store Annecy. The duo won this first edition, finishing with nearly two minutes of advantage while taking eighth place overall against far more powerful cars. An outstanding result for a freshly built car, proving the seriousness of Alpine Racing’s work 😎

🎤 “It’s a great honor to win the inaugural Alpine A290 Rallye Trophy. It’s really special to be the first to mark the history of this new car. It’s incredibly effective and fun to drive, with a chassis and braking system of impressive efficiency. We spent the entire rally in the overall top ten, even flirting with the top five at times,” said Rabilloud at the finish line.

Behind them, Samuel Hoarau / Stéphane Duverger and Julien Brégeon / Amélie Arrivé completed the podium. All praised the car’s reliability and ease of handling, with a minimal retirement rate—only two offs ❌

This inaugural edition also put the trophy’s logistics to the test: dedicated charging stations, shared support services, spare parts, and technical assistance from Alpine Racing. A comprehensive structure designed to be expanded in 2026, with six rounds planned within the French Rally Championship.

👉 Follow all the latest Alpine A290 Trophy news on the official Facebook page 😉

In 2025, the inaugural year with a single event on the calendar, the A290 Trophy already offered both sporting and financial stakes: €19,200 in prize money shared among the top eight, but above all, a symbolic reward — an official drive in an Alpine A110 Rallye at a round of the 2026 French Championship.

By winning this first rally, Rabilloud and Mahinc became the first names inscribed in the history of French electric competition. A victory that marks the start of a long-term program: Alpine has confirmed its commitment to the trophy until 2028, ensuring stability and amortization of the cars over several seasons — a crucial point for teams and rental structures, who can thus make their investment profitable over the long term 💶

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2025: a first test season before the official launch of the trophy

This 2025 edition, limited to the single Rallye de l’Indre, mainly served as a test season: validating the car, the charging logistics and the Alpine Racing support structure ahead of the official launch of the programme.

The ten A290 Rallye entries allowed Alpine to assess the sporting and technical potential of the concept while introducing a new “Alpine Store Challenge” classification that already linked partner dealerships to crew results. This first edition served as a full-scale laboratory, laying the foundation for the complete championship planned for 2026 😋

For the 2026 season, 16 cars are already expected to compete in the Alpine A290 Trophy, but demand exceeds expectations — Alpine may authorize a few additional cars if logistics allow, though this has not yet been confirmed.

From 2026 onwards, the Alpine A290 Rally Trophy will really come into its own with six rounds on the French Rally Championship calendar. In parallel, a Regional Alpine A290 Trophy will allow amateur drivers to take part in regional rally, slalom or hillclimb events, in a more financially accessible format.

ℹ️ For the French Rally Championship rounds, Alpine is working with the organisers to design routes adapted to electric technology. According to the first available information, the cars entered in the Trophy could cover around 110 to 130 km of timed special stages, in a parallel format that remains fully integrated into the main event.

For its return to customer racing, Alpine has gone big. A total of €236,000 in prizes will be distributed throughout the season, in the form of performance bonuses or Alpine Racing spare parts vouchers. The final standings will reward consistency: only the best five results will count, preventing the cost of a full-season program from becoming prohibitive 🥵

The rewards don’t stop there: the winner of the national trophy will earn an official entry in an Alpine A110 Rallye R-GT at a French Championship round—a true sporting springboard. Regional Trophy drivers aren’t forgotten: the best-ranked competitors at the end of the season will share an additional €46,000 in bonuses and technical support, still based on their best five results 🤗

Each team will also be paired with a local Alpine Store as part of the Alpine Store Challenge, strengthening the link between dealerships and competitors on the ground. This direct partnership allows each dealership to support a crew, assist with communication, and sometimes even logistics.

ℹ️ Alpine didn’t settle for a one-off statement. The brand is committed for the long term, with a program confirmed until at least 2028, giving teams and drivers a realistic amortization of their investment. This long-term visibility is crucial: it helps secure budgets, retain teams, and build partner confidence.

2026 calendar for the Alpine A290 Rallye Trophy

After a 2025 edition limited to the single Rallye de l’Indre, the Alpine A290 Rallye Trophy will fully join the French Asphalt Rally Championship in 2026, with six rounds on the schedule. As announced, only five results will count towards the final standings, giving crews one joker in case of retirement or a poor result.

To reward both performance and consistency, the top fifteen crews on each round score points according to the following scale: 30-25-21-18-15-12-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. The three fastest drivers on each of the last six stages of every rally can also earn additional “Performer” points (3-2-1), which can have a big impact on the outcome of the trophy 😉

Beyond this highly structured sporting format, the A290 Rallye has been designed from day one as a cost-effective customer racing car: no fuel, low maintenance, a braking system that is less stressed thanks to energy regeneration, and deliberately simplified electronics to keep costs under control. Consumables and maintenance operations are reduced to the bare minimum, with a clear focus on controlling the running cost per kilometre 👌

ℹ️ According to Alpine, the cost per kilometre should be very close to that of a Clio Rally5.

In terms of range, Alpine has deliberately calibrated the car for rally formats suited to its technology, such as regional events where stages rarely exceed 40 km of timed sections. In real-world conditions, the A290 Rallye offers around 50 km of range at race pace, enough to complete an entire loop without difficulty before recharging in the service park 🔋.

⚠️ However, even in some regional rallies, road sections can be long, so energy management will remain a key part of each team’s strategy.

ℹ️ Real-world range is around 40 to 50 km at race pace, but Alpine’s engineers insist it strongly depends on driving style, elevation, and stage profiles.

Recharging is fast and well-managed: from 20% to 80% in under 28 minutes, thanks to a mobile infrastructure designed and operated by Alpine Racing. These stations, powered by the local grid rather than generators, ensure a clean and efficient setup ♻️

ℹ️ Contrary to some misconceptions, teams can continue working on the car during charging—an entirely safe and supervised operation.

The batteries aren’t swapped (which would take hours) but recharged on-site between sections under the supervision of an Alpine team trained in FFSA safety protocols.

For longer rallies, such as certain French Championship rounds, the A290 Rallye cars may not cover all special stages but will participate in adapted formats. The objective remains clear: to demonstrate the feasibility of electric rallying without compromising safety or sporting fairness.

Each car also benefits from dedicated technical support by Alpine Racing, including spare parts and on-event assistance 🛠️

Beyond the technical aspect, the Alpine A290 Rallye Trophy also represents a new marketing opportunity. By integrating electric cars into the heart of French rallying, Alpine hopes to attract new partners from sectors aligned with energy transition—digital, mobility, and energy companies. The electrification of rallying thus opens the door to new players, without denying the fundamentals of motorsport 👌

The Alpine A290 changes the perception of electric rallying in France

The arrival of electric power in rallying, embodied by the Alpine A290, leaves no one indifferent. For some enthusiasts, it’s a betrayal of Alpine’s spirit; for others, an inevitable evolution. On forums, discussions are passionate: some lament a rally “without smell or roar,” others mock the “vacuum cleaner noise,” limited range, or recharging, while a few applaud Alpine’s courage to lead the way 🙏

On the ground, however, early feedback is more nuanced. Journalists who got behind the wheel describe a remarkably balanced chassis, sharp braking, and playful handling—far from the sanitized image some feared. Early drivers like Melvin Rabilloud and Samuel Hoarau confirmed these impressions: the A290 Rallye is precise, engaging, and very stable. And contrary to what some might think, its sound isn’t artificial—a mechanical turbine under the hood produces a genuine variable tone without speakers.

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For Alpine, the challenge goes beyond nostalgia. The manufacturer embraces a long-term vision: to preserve the future of national rallying while attracting new partners from clean energy, digital, and mobility sectors. This openness will help customer competition remain alive in a context where combustion engines will be increasingly restricted 😢

ℹ️ “We have to accept that emotion changes form,” summarized one project engineer. “We lose the noise, but we keep the speed, precision, and driving experience.”

The Alpine A290 Trophy isn’t just another promotional series—it’s a true laboratory for electric rallying ⚡

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The first races have already dispelled many doubts: reliability is there, performance is close to that of a Clio Rally5, and range proves sufficient for a full regional rally without mid-stage charging. For longer events, such as some French Championship rounds, certain adjustments might still be required to maintain the same level of efficiency.

But debates remain lively—proof that the electric revolution will not happen without discussion… or without passion ❤️‍🔥

From the Gordini Cup to the A290 Rallye: Alpine’s legacy continues

Alpine is no stranger to revolutions. Back in the 1960s, the Gordini Cup initially met with skepticism before revealing a whole generation of promising drivers. Thirty years later, the Clio Cup established a true ladder within French motorsport, from single-make racing all the way to the international stage 🏆

Each time, the recipe was the same: a simple, affordable car, clear regulations, and a pure competitive spirit. And each time, Alpine proved that boldness pays off.

The A290 Rallye follows in that tradition. Even if the technology has changed, the philosophy remains identical: to create a complete ecosystem around one car, to bring together drivers, teams, and dealerships, and to offer a springboard toward higher-level programs such as the A110 Rallye or, in time, future electric categories.

With a multi-season commitment, Alpine shows that it’s not seeking a temporary spotlight but a lasting structure designed to endure and nurture a new generation of drivers 👍

Conclusion: a risky but necessary gamble

The Alpine A290 Trophy opens a brand-new chapter in French rallying. No, it will never replace the roar of a naturally aspirated engine or the scent of fuel and burnt oil that are part of the sport’s DNA. But it brings something else: a sustainable, structured, and technically ambitious vision of motorsport.

Alpine is taking a risk, that’s certain. But that’s also the role of a historic manufacturer: to dare, experiment, and prepare the ground for those who will follow.

Time will tell whether this silent revolution will win over the skeptics or remain a bold experiment. What’s certain is that in 2025, Alpine did what few others dared to do: make rallying evolve without betraying it 💙