The Return of an Icon: Renault 5 E-Tech & Alpine A290 Deep Dive

The compact electric vehicle market has found its defining benchmark. Built on the purpose-engineered AmpR Small platform, Renault Group has revived one of history’s most beloved superminis as a duo: the retro-chic Renault 5 E-Tech and its high-performance sibling, the Alpine A290 hot hatch.

1. Performance and Acceleration (0–60 mph)

The two models cater to distinct driving mentalities through different electric motor outputs and chassis tuning:

• Renault 5 E-Tech: Available with a 120 hp or 150 hp electric motor. The flagship 150 hp variant completes the 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) sprint in 7.9 seconds, delivering immediate low-speed throttle response tailored for city manoeuvres.
• Alpine A290: Elevates the performance envelope with options for 180 hp (GT/GT Premium) or 220 hp (GT Performance / GTS). The 220 hp version accelerates from 0–62 mph in just 6.4 seconds, aided by an “Overtake” button (OV) on the Formula 1-inspired steering wheel that delivers instant maximum power.

  0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) Acceleration Comparison

  Alpine A290 GTS (220 hp)     [===========> 6.4s]
  Alpine A290 GT (180 hp)      [=============> 7.4s]
  Renault 5 E-Tech (150 hp)    [==============> 7.9s]
  Renault 5 E-Tech (120 hp)    [================> 9.0s]

2. Ride Quality and Suspension Comfort

Despite their short 2.54-meter wheelbases, both models utilise a multi-link rear suspension setup—a rarity in B-segment compact vehicles—delivering class-leading ride composure:

• Renault 5 E-Tech: Calibrated for everyday road compliance, absorbing city tarmac imperfections while limiting body roll during mid-corner transitions.
• Alpine A290: Features hydraulic bump stops, widened track widths (+60 mm), and upgraded anti-roll bars. It balances sharp, track-ready turn-in response with smooth primary damping over unsettled surfaces.

3. Interior Build Quality and Ergonomics

Both cabins merge nostalgic design cues with modern digital architecture, utilising an OpenR dual-screen setup (10-inch digital cluster paired with a 10.1-inch central touchscreen running Google built-in software):

Feature Area	Renault 5 E-Tech	Alpine A290
Upholstery & Fabrics	Recycled denim and textured fabrics with yellow-and-blue stitching accents	Nappa leather / Dinamica microfiber with blue and white sport stitching
Seating Ergonomics	Retro-styled “H-frame” bucket seats offering strong lateral support	Deeply bolstered Alpine sports seats designed for high-G cornering
Tactile Controls	Piano-key shortcut toggles, custom steering wheel controls, and woven accents	F1-style aluminium rotary dials, drive-mode buttons, and metal pedals
Practicality	326 litres of rear boot space with split-folding rear seats	326 litres of rear boot space with specialised sports-luggage tie-downs

4. Key Technical Specifications

Specification	Renault 5 E-Tech (Comfort Range)	Alpine A290 (GTS)
Powertrain	Single Front Motor (FWD)	Single High-Output Front Motor (FWD)
Max Horsepower	150 hp (110 kW)	220 hp (160 kW)
Max Torque	245 Nm	300 Nm
Battery Capacity	52 kWh Usable (NMC Chemistry)	52 kWh Usable (NMC Chemistry)
Official Range (WLTP)	Up to 252 miles (405 km)	Up to 226 miles (364 km)
DC Fast Charging Rate	Peak 100 kW (15–80% in ~30 mins)	Peak 100 kW (15–80% in ~30 mins)
Curb Weight	~1,450 kg	~1,479 kg