Rally successes in the 1950s, ’60s, and early ’70s helped put Alpine on the map, and now the brand has released the competition-ready A290 Rallye to remind us that going electric is no barrier to sending mud, snow, and gravel flying.

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The Rallye isn’t some wild Group B-style monster, but an entry-level rally car that’s eligible for entry in local competitions. So it sticks fairly close to the road-going A290 hot hatch, which together with its Renault 5 brother pulled off a victory in the 2025 Car of The Year competition.

Powertrain Tweaks and Track-Focused Hardware

That means it has a single motor under the hood that sends the same 217 hp (220 PS / 160 kW) to the front wheels as the top-spec production A290 (the entry-level road car makes do with 178 hp / 180 PS / 132 kW). But the ponies reaching those wheels are now dished out by a ZF mechanical limited-slip differential, and the rest of the chassis features some key upgrades that ought to keep it on the wiggly and narrow.

ALP Racing Suspension shocks control wheel and body movements, the 18×8-inch Evo Corse wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport A tires, and the front brakes are upgraded from 320 mm rotors and four-piston callipers to 350 mm discs and six pots. Alpine’s engineers have also tweaked the ABS setup and fitted a hydraulic handbrake to boost agility on hairpin bends.

Purpose-Built for the Stage

FIA compliance and common sense mean the Rallye has Sabelt bucket seats and a welded roll cage, but there’s one more tweak that’s got nothing to do with safety and everything to do with putting on a good show for watching rally fans.

The A290 already features a synthesised soundtrack, but for the Rallye Alpine, a new external sound generator was developed that emits noises which change depending on the EV’s speed and throttle position.

Price, Availability, and What Comes Next

The €59,990 (equal to about £51,900 / $70,800) price puts it at the accessible end of the customer rally car scale, although it’s still 40 percent more expensive than a stock A290 with the more powerful of the two available motors. But besides the upgrades, you’re also buying an A290 that is hand-built in the competition workshop at Alpine’s Jean Rédélé factory in Dieppe.

Alpine is unveiling its first electric racer aimed at private customers at the Rallye Rouergue Rodez Aveyron Occitanie this weekend, after which it’ll be trucked to the UK for an appearance at Goodwood, followed by a showing at the Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine.

Furthermore, A290 Rallye buyers will get the chance to compete in a one-off event in France later this year, which Alpine promises will be backed by technical support and, just as importantly, a specific charging infrastructure.

Alpine

More than a year after making its digital debut, Lancia’s long-awaited hot hatch has finally rolled onto the tarmac. The sub-compact Ypsilon HF was officially launched at the Balocco proving ground in Italy, giving the world a first proper look at the fastest, most expensive Ypsilon to date.

More: The First Electric GTI Isn’t From VW

For those who like the sporty aesthetic without the price tag (or the horsepower), there’s also the HF Line for the supermini, a trimmed-down alternative available in both hybrid and electric form. It keeps most of the visual drama while skipping the mechanical upgrades.

Performance

Starting with the full-blown Ypsilon HF, the hot hatch is equipped with a single electric motor generating 276 hp (207 kW / 280 PS) and 345 Nm (255 lb-ft) of torque. That puts it right in line with other high-performance EVs under the Stellantis umbrella, such as the Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, and the upcoming Opel Mokka GSE and Peugeot 208 GTI.

With the help of a front-mounted Torsen limited-slip differential, the Ypsilon HF can launch from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 seconds. While that’s quick for its class, top speed is less impressive, capped at 180 km/h (112 mph). Power is drawn from a 54 kWh battery, providing a WLTP-rated range of 370 km (230 miles) between charges.

The HF rides on a stiffened chassis with revised suspension geometry and a lower stance. It sits 20 mm (0.8 inches) closer to the ground than the standard Ypsilon and gets a wider footprint, with 30 mm (1.2 inches) added to the front and rear tracks. Braking has also been upgraded, courtesy of an Aclon system with monobloc four-piston calipers and 355 mm discs up front.

Rally-inspired Looks

Visually, the Ypsilon HF stands apart with a sportier bodykit and unique 18-inch alloy wheels. Compared to the standard model, it features redesigned bumpers with larger intakes, wider fenders with aero extensions behind the front wheels, a rear diffuser, and the HF badge featuring the iconic red elephant. It’s offered in Nero Ardesia, Bianco Quarzo, and Arancione Lava, the last of which pays tribute to the racing liveries of classic Fulvia and Stratos models.

Inside, the Ypsilon HF gets an electric-blue dashboard, aluminum pedals, sports seats wrapped in Econyl, and a generous scattering of HF logos. Standard equipment includes dual 10.25-inch displays with custom graphics, wireless charging, ambient lighting, and Level 2 driver assistance features. Lancia’s quirky “multifunctional coffee table” console is also along for the ride.

The HF Line As A Budget Alternative

If the full-fat HF is a bit much for your wallet, or you just don’t need all that power, the HF Line delivers the visual flavor at a more digestible price. It wears the same bumpers and logos as the HF, but skips the wide fenders and drops down to 17-inch alloys. Inside, it gets its own version of sporty seats featuring a “cannelloni-style” design with orange stitching. It’s still dramatic, just with a milder aftertaste.

More: 2025 Lancia Ypsilon Hybrid Gains More Power Without Gaining More Power

Despite its aggressive styling, the Ypsilon HF Line doesn’t come with any performance or chassis upgrades. It’s available with either a mild-hybrid 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine producing a rather poor 109 hp (81 kW / 110 PS), or the standard electric powertrain. In its ICE form, the HF Line does 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.3 seconds, a full 3.4 seconds slower than the HF. Oddly enough, it manages a higher top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph).

Price and Release Timeline

The Ypsilon HF is scheduled to hit European dealerships after the summer, while the HF Line is already available for order. In Italy, the fully electric HF starts at €39,200 ($45,900), which makes it the priciest Ypsilon ever sold. The HF Line, on the other hand, starts from a much more palatable €22,450 ($27,300) with the mild hybrid.

Track-Ready Versions

Lancia isn’t stopping at the road-going versions. The brand also shared details on two racing-spec Ypsilons, both powered by non-electrified 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engines and featuring mechanical limited-slip differentials up front.

More: Is Stellantis Secretly Working On A New Lancia Fulvia?

The entry-level Ypsilon HF Racing produces 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS) and aims for value-conscious racers with a starting price of €38,900 ($45,600). At the top of the heap sits the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF, packing 209 hp (156 kW / 212 PS), a five-speed Sadev gearbox, upgraded brakes, and proper rally hardware. That one will cost you though, as it starts at €74,500 ($87,400).

Lancia