The Alpine A290 was introduced in 2024 as a hotter version of the Renault 5 E-Tech with a custom bodykit and more powerful electric powertrain options. Two years later, Alpine has introduced the A290 Collection trim, refining the exterior design while adding special touches inside the cabin.

The new spec was corrected by the Atelier Alpine personalization program and is available across the A290 lineup including the GT, GT Performance, and GTS trims.

More: Alpine Teases Next A110’s Design, But It’s What’s Underneath That Will Make Or Break It

The A290 Collection comes standard with a Blanc Nival (Snow White) shade although buyers can also choose the more sophisticated Bleu Orage Mat (Matte Storm Blue) color. In both cases the roof is finished in Deep Black, matching the aero add-ons on the bumpers and side skirts.

Alpine

Still, the highlight is the body-colored fender extensions. These look much nicer compared to the crossover-inspired black cladding found on the standard A290 and the closely-related Renault 5 E-Tech.

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Another special treat is the 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with a snowflake design, featuring Silver Grey front brake calipers. Finally, the model gets chrome Alpine monograms on the charging port and an optional French flag on the C-pillar.

The interior combines Deep Blue and Evee Grey colors for the seat upholstery, and the stylish inserts on the door cards, dashboard, and center console. There is also a black heated steering wheel which is optionally available in blue.

Alpine

The Collection treatment is applied to both powertrain flavors, with a single electric motor generating 178 hp (130 kW / 180 PS) or 217 hp (160 kW / 220 PS). The standard 52 kWh battery pack is good for 236 miles (380 km) of WLTP range.

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The fully electric hot hatch is important for Alpine as it currently accounts for 70% of its sales. Furthermore, nearly 80% of A290 buyers are coming from a brand outside the Renault Group.

The Alpine A290 Collection will be exhibited at the Hall 6 of the 2026 Paris Motor Show, held in the French capital between October 12 and 18. It will be joined by highly personalized examples of the A390 fastback crossover, a sculpture of the next-generation A110 sports car and a mysterious concept that could evolve into a production GT.

Alpine

China’s state-owned GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) has announced ambitious plans to expand its presence in Europe, which includes offering 12 new models in France before the decade is out. To do so, Cedric Lacour, GAC France Deputy CEO, revealed that the company is looking at ramping up European production capacity.

GAC is already present in Europe, with the company’s cars being available in the UK, Finland, Greece, Poland, Spain and Portugal. Currently GAC produces the Aion V and Aion UT in knock-down form at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria.

Read: GAC Aion’s New Sedan Borrows Level 4 Robotaxi Tech It Can’t Fully Use

Knock-down assembly means that, although manufacturing of the car’s components continues in China, the parts and assemblies are shipped before final assembly in Europe. The decision to move assembly of the V crossover-SUV and UT hatchback was seen as a way of side-stepping existing EU tariffs on Chinese vehicles, with Xpeng, another Chinese manufacturer, also employing the expertise of Magna for its G6 and G9 models.

Now, GAC is looking at adding to its European capacity. According to Lacour, those plans may include Magna Steyr or other investors completely. “We really want to establish a long-term presence here (in Europe), ​which automatically means we need production capacity,” said Lacour, speaking to Reuters.

12 New Models By 2030

Brad Anderson/Carscoops

GAC’s ambitions go beyond just ramping up European manufacturing. At the French launch of the all-electric Aion UT and Aion V, Lacour revealed that the two new introductions are just the tip of the iceberg. By 2030, the brand intends to have 12 electric and hybrid offerings for the French market.

Read: GAC Is Ready To Storm Europe With Its EV Army And Big Ambitions

In addition to manufacturing, GAC also has a dedicated European research and development center, situated in Milan. In the first half of this year, GAC reported that export sales recorded a 35.69 percent increase, year-on-year, with 346,000 units sold. While the growth was mainly fueled by strong performances the Americas and Southeast Asia, the brand also ranked second amongst Chinese EV brands in Greece.

French Ambitions

In a bid to ramp up its French presence, the automaker also plans to have 200 dealerships across France in the next four years, with 50 planned for this year alone. However, GAC trails some of its competitors. For context, BYD, established their French footprint back in 2024, and, according to Automobile Magazine, aims to have 250 outlets by the end of next year,

But when asked whether GAC was late to the party, Lacour disputed that. “Our ​goal is to ​take a ⁠brand from launch to scaling up in just four years.” He went on to say that the brand was entering the market “at just the right time.”

GAC Aion / Weibo

Renault has introduced a series of model year upgrades for the Scenic E-Tech, exactly three years after its debut. The electric crossover inherits a new LFP battery, faster charging, improved safety features and Google Gemini AI integration from the recently facelifted Megane E-Tech. However, it skips the styling updates, leaving them for later in the product cycle.

Visually, changes are limited to the gloss black accents on the front and rear bumpers, the new alloy wheels measuring 19 and 20 inches in diameter, as well as the fresh Satin Blue Slate and Exo Galaxy Grey shades. Earlier sightings of camouflaged prototypes suggest that Renault might be working on more substantial styling updates for the future, likely including the faux grille of the Megane.

More: Renault Gave The Updated Megane EV A Meaner Face And A Slower 0-62

Inside, the openR link infotainment gains Google Gemini AI as a smarter alternative to the Google Assistant. Users can download applications from the Google Play Store using the 2 GB of monthly data offered by Renault for a period of three years. Those who want more can always use their smartphone tethering function.

Renault

Other interior upgrades include a magnetic and ventilated wireless charging pad, and more sustainable upholstery options. More specifically, Techno models feature PET fabrics containing over 95% recycled yarn, Esprit Alpine editions gain a spectral titanium finish made from 75% recycled plastic, and top Iconic trims receive cubic grey accents or optional light grey paired with genuine lime wood.

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The safety suite inherits the Megane’s updated in-car monitoring camera, which tracks driver fatigue and enables driver recognition for loading presets based on personal preferences. It also benefits from more sophisticated ADAS such as Multi Target tracking for surrounding traffic, improved lane positioning at speeds up to 70 km/h (43 mph), Emergency Stop Assist in the case of an unresponsive driver, and a smarter predictive eco-driving function.

New Batteries, Longer Range

Under the skin, the Scenic E-Tech borrows the LFP battery introduced by the mechanically-related Megane E-Tech during its mid-lifecycle update, combined with a carryover front-mounted electric motor producing 220 hp (164 kW / 223 PS).

The 67 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery of the Comfort Range variant has a cell-to-pack architecture and delivers up to 467 km (290 miles) of WLTP range, which is 37 km (23 miles) more than its NMC predecessor. Furthermore, it supports 165 kW fast charging, taking it from 15-80% in 24 minutes, or 25% faster than before.

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The larger 89 kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery pack which is exclusive to the Scenic E-Tech Long Range has also been upgraded, gaining 2 kWh in capacity and stretching the WLTP range by 17 km (11 miles) to 642 km (399 miles). This unit is compatible with 150 kW fast charging, replenishing 15-80% in 28 minutes.

Pricing

The updated Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric is available to order in France starting at €38,750 ($44,900) for the 89 kWh Long Range model in the Techno trim. The cheaper 67 kWh Comfort Range version will arrive in the coming months, priced from €31,750 ($36,800).

The electric crossover with minivan ancestors is still being manufactured at Renault’s ElectriCity facility in Douai, France, with electric motors supplied by the Cléon plant in Normandy.

Renault