Alpine made a name for itself with lightweight sports cars, but as it transforms into a brand of electric vehicles, the French company will have to get creative to make it feel light.

Seven EVs will be launched by Alpine by 2030, and among them will be a production version of the A390_β concept unveiled earlier in the month. That sleek electric fastback crossover is significantly larger, and much heavier than the outgoing Alpine A110 sports car, but benefits from a trick electric powertrain that, according to Alpine chief executive Philippe Krief, gives it a feeling of “perceived lightness.”

Read: Alpine A390_β Previews 2025 Electric Fastback That Really Doesn’t Want To Be An SUV

Helping the brand achieve a light feeling with its new models will be a tri-motor setup as featured under the A390_β concept’s skin, Autocar reports. This setup is thought to consist of two motors at the rear axle and a single motor at the front, although some sources suggest it’s the other way around – one motor at the rear and two at the front. Whatever the case may be, complex torque vectoring promises to make the car feel very dynamic.

According to Krief, varying the power delivery of the three motors means “you can generate a quite immediate response time – it’s like the behavior of a light car.” Krief added the A390 is “not a light car, but it seems to be. “It’s so quick; it’s so natural and so integrated. When you have professional drivers testing your cars and they tested with the systems on because they wanted it that way, you understand that it’s good. This is the ultimate test.”

In addition to using trick technologies to make its vehicles feel light, Alpine is working to ensure its forthcoming EVs are lighter than the equivalent Nissan and Renault models they’re based on.

Alpine’s first new EV is the 2025 A290 GT. The car is based around the Renault 5 E-Tech and features a single electric motor with 217 hp and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque, allowing it to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.4 seconds.  

Alpine just dropped the A390_β concept car ahead of its official debut at the Paris Auto Show, and it’s a preview of the A390, a fully electric fastback crossover that’ll hit production in 2025. Dual motors? Check. Fancy torque vectoring and active aerodynamics? Naturally. Alpine’s promising the driving experience of a sports car with, you know, the practicality of a family hauler.

But don’t you dare call it a crossover or SUV. Alpine insists on dubbing it a “sport fastback,” and if that sounds like a PR-friendly dodge to avoid the bland crossover label, well, it probably is. The French marque claims the A390 is designed for everyday use but can transform into a “racing beast” when the mood strikes. Alpine’s CEO, Philippe Krief, even describes it as “an A110 with five seats.”

More: Secret Alpine A110 RS Is Faster* Than Cayman GT4 In Nurburgring Test

The A390_β sports a sleek silhouette, dynamic proportions, frameless windows, and wraparound rear glass, making it look more like a raised coupe than a crossover. The only hints of its “crossover” nature are the higher-than-usual ground clearance and discreet plastic cladding around the wheel arches.

The high-tech LED lighting units with illuminated triangles are inspired by the 2022 Alpine Alpenglow concept. On the other hand, the character lines on the heavily sculpted profile are reminiscent of the A110. Alpine chose the Bleu Specular shade for the exterior, paired with black accents.

Aerodynamics were clearly a priority. Up front, there’s a micro-perforated grille, side scoops, and a “flying bridge” on the hood. At the rear, it gets wilder: a shark fin and active aero elements on the diffuser and taillights, which can extend by 80 mm (3 inches) to reduce drag.

Then there are the wheels, measuring 22 inches at the front, 23 at the rear, with designs inspired by snowflakes. Yep, snowflakes. They’re illuminated and transparent to show off the EV’s torque vectoring skills, so people know you’re not just cruising for groceries. You’re dynamic.

While the A390_β might be a show car, Alpine says 85 percent of its design will carry over to the production model. This leaves room for some toned-down features, likely focused on more conventional lighting, bumpers, wheels, and interior touches.

As for the cabin, it looks like something straight out of a sci-fi flick. The driver’s futuristic bucket seat shifts between two positions, the cockpit has a spacecraft vibe, and the floor mimics rock formations. Don’t get too attached though—most of these features will disappear in favor of a more practical five-seater layout with less complex designs for the production version.

As for the technical stuff, Alpine’s keeping it vague. They confirmed the A390 will have dual electric motors for all-wheel drive and an Active Torque Vectoring system, but no word yet on the power figures or range. What we do know is it’ll ride on the AmpR Medium architecture, basically a rebranded version of the CMF-EV platform you’ll find under the Renault Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech, and Nissan Ariya.

The Alpine A390 will be the second of three “Dream Garage” models, joining the A290 hot hatchback. The final act? A fully electric successor to the A110 sports car, so stay tuned for that one.

Enjoy the teaser, and don’t worry—there’s a lot more French sass and electric performance coming your way.

Alpine