Formula E driver Nick Cassidy had already taken care of debunking some of the most widespread fake news about electric cars in the volume produced by LifeGate Bugie!: "Driving an electric car doesn't give you the same sensations as a petrol car." Or: "Driving an electric car may well be a rewarding experience, but can it really match the feelings a petrol vehicle gives you?".

Among the false truths circulating about plug-in cars, this has always been one of the most deeply rooted. And it is routinely disproved every time you get behind the wheel of an electric car. The latest occasion? Our experience driving the Alpine A290, the electric urban sports car "that redefines the pleasure of everyday driving," as they describe it at Renault, where Alpine is the brand dedicated to sports cars and the most innovative models.

Alpine A290, the electric city car for those who are always in a hurry

Admittedly, the challenge is no easy one: combining the characteristics of a sports car with the practicality of urban mobility, without necessarily sacrificing efficiency (on this point — perhaps the only real sore spot — we'll return shortly). But let's sketch a quick portrait of the Alpine A290: less than 4 metres long, with a design inspired by the world of motorsport, this is a sporty city car equipped with an electric motor producing 180 or 220 horsepower (130 and 160 kW), a 52 kWh battery and around 380 kilometres of electric range.

It is the sporty version of the electric Renault 5 E-Tech, sharing many of its features but with a racing-inspired look (note the wide tyres, and the LED "X" shapes in the headlights that recall the strips of adhesive tape used in rally races to protect lights from breaking), while many details draw inspiration from the Renault 5 Turbo of the 1980s. The price of the Alpine A290 starts at 38,700 euros, which can drop to as low as 23,700 thanks to the incentives available from 22 October.

Alpine A290, why the British press voted it "Best Fun EV 2025"

Low centre of gravity, suspension tuned for driving pleasure (rather than comfort — which feels a little firm in the city over manhole covers and cobblestones), 4 driving modes selectable via the Drive mode button (Save, Normal, Sport and Perso, the latter allowing you to customise your driving style) and, on the steering wheel, a "magic" button that, on one hand, delivers a "boost" — an instant peak of power (useful for overtaking) — while on the other, significantly reduces range (which brings us back to that efficiency point mentioned at the outset). What's missing, however, is the "one-pedal" function that increases energy regeneration and limits the use of the brakes, especially in the city.

In short, the Alpine A290 — voted "Best Fun EV" (the most entertaining electric car of the year) in the UK — especially in the sportier 220-horsepower version (the subject of this test drive), manages to combine compact dimensions, sportiness and all the typical characteristics of an electric car (the absence of noise — though the electric motor has been given an artificial sound — and zero local emissions, among others). On the efficiency front, however, it loses points compared to the "standard" electric Renault 5 from which it derives. Inevitable, one might say. Even if the extensive use of aluminium has allowed for a significant reduction in weight, to the benefit of efficiency.

5 doors and 5 seats (if you squeeze in…)

While the affinities with the "standard" electric Renault 5 remain numerous, the interior of the Alpine A290 — thanks to a few details (sports steering wheel, wraparound seats in eco-materials, a large central display dedicated to infotainment whose Telemetrics function also allows you to use driving coaching features in a video game style) — makes the sensation of sitting behind the wheel of a small sports car a genuinely pleasant one. All without sacrificing too much in terms of comfort (aside from the slightly firm suspension, which is necessary to improve cornering performance), and with the practicality of 5 doors, 5 seats (though four is decidedly more comfortable) and a boot better suited to a weekend away than a proper holiday.

52 kWh battery and a declared range of up to 380 kilometres

Other aspects of the Alpine A290 remain, shall we say, practical in everyday use as well. The 52 kWh battery charges via DC fast chargers at up to 100 kW (going from 15 to 80 per cent charge takes around half an hour), or via AC at up to 11 kW. The electric range, as we mentioned earlier, is not the strongest reason to buy, given that if you make full use of the power (and it's hard to resist the temptation…), the declared 380 kilometres can easily shrink by around a hundred, leaving you with roughly 300. Best to know that upfront.

In all other respects, the Alpine A290 represents a solid compromise in terms of acceleration, efficiency and performance. Behind the wheel the experience remains smooth and easy overall, and to answer the opening question, the A290 is a hugely fun car to drive. Acceleration is undoubtedly one of its strong suits, and hard to match for a city car running on conventional fuels. The driving experience remains easy, intuitive — in a word, simple. Even when, by choice or necessity, you're in a hurry.