People tend to revisit old ideas more than you would think. Whether it is from nostalgia or to learn from past challenges to build resilience, old ideas can offer new opportunities when carefully reviewed. This was the case with France, as the country revealed a 400 HP machine that does not use fuel. As groundbreaking as it is, this new concept is based on a 1963 idea, proving that an old idea might be worth revisiting if it shows great potential. Find out today how it works.
Building on history to create the future
If you are a massive fan of sports cars, then you may have heard of the Alpine brand. The French automotive company, Renault, owns the brand of sports cars. Jean Rédélé founded Alpine in 1955, and Renault acquired Alpine in 1973.
According to the Alpine brand’s official website, these sports cars are innovative, authentic, and exclusive, as they feature compactness, agility, and lightness. In 1963, Alpine introduced the Alpine A110 to the world, a four-cylinder berlinette-styled sports car that was as lightweight as it was unique compared to others. The 1963 A110 was the ideal rally car at the time, which earned the automaker several class wins during the car’s career.
As per a report by Hot Cars, it was a golden age for the 1963 A110’s racing career, which was unfortunately cut short by a formidable rival. Thankfully, Renault has revisited the old 1963 idea, and its revival is mind-boggling.
A 1963 idea returns to reveal a 400 HP machine
What made the 1963 A110 so unique in its time was its small footprint, as the four-cylinder car used less-than-a-liter. The 1963 A110 had an honourable 14-year run, which is an eternity in the industry. It left an enduring legacy, and in 2017, the world could witness the ultimate A110 revival. Fast-forward to 2025, skipping past all the A110 versions since the 2017 revival, and you get the latest prototype.
Alpine calls its latest prototype a “sport fastback.” Earlier this year, photos revealed the camouflaged prototype undergoing winter testing in Lapland. The new Alpine 400 HP machine, called the Alpine A390, pays homage to the 1963 A110 in the sense that this car is centred on keeping its carbon footprint as small as possible. That’s right, the A390 has succumbed to the crossover-crazed car market.
Features of the new Alpine sports car
Alpine’s production-ready A390 will combine performance with daily practicality. Its design is similar to the lightweight A110 coupe, but has been scaled to a more practical five-door format. Customers can expect a low-lying, aerodynamic outline and sharp bodywork. Alpine will launch both a 396 HP GT and a 463 HP GTS, each distinguished by unique wheels and badging.
The A390 exterior will sport a sloped roofline and triangle accents on the front bumper. Full-width LED light bars can be seen on the front and rear. The A110 receives subtle nods once again in the A390’s character lines along the side.
Standout features
- A tri-motor all-wheel-drive setup
- A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch central touchscreen
- Nappa leather Sabelt bucket seats
- An 850 W 13-speaker Devialet audio system
- A 532-liter cargo area
- An 89 kWh lithium-ion battery that runs for 520 to 555 km
- Support for 190 kW DC fast charging
- An “overtake” function for a 10-second temporary power boost
This car features everything from something old to something new, and for sports car fans who value eco-friendliness, it will be a wise addition. Orders for the A390 will open in the UK this quarter. However, if you are wondering whether this car will break the bank, we cannot say, as the final pricing has not been confirmed yet. According to Carscoops, predictions place the GT around £60,000 and the GTS at approximately £70,000. That places the A390 in the same category as the Porsche Macan EV.
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