New Alpine A290 review | The old-school hot hatch is back

[@TheTonycima]

Please get rid of the music. What's it for?

[@09juliancarr]

So, the music would be OK if it was used correctly in the mix. I am not sure how difficult that is as I am no editor, but it should be faded up and down

[@51madmitch]

To annoy us 🤬

[@karlInSanDiego]

Agreed, you've tried to speak so quickly, that I'm feeling rushed watching it. It feels like I need to answer a question at the end to win the car, but you're doing your damndest to make sure I lose.

[@RichardLyleEsq]

The music soundtrack is too loud. It's hard to hear what Matt's saying.

[@jezworld]

Wow you really looked enthusiastic driving that 😆 The lack of smiles gives it away.

[@quasimodo8215]

Why don't you add some disco lights and stroboscopic flashing on the screen to this music, while explaining how distracting all those new screens are?!

[@remipersonne1375]

I totally agree with the decision not to have cup holders. The car is meant to be driven or piloted, not to eat or drink in.

[@Whatshisname346]

I’m a fan. I think it’s a great effort. I especially like that they haven’t gone stupid on power because then you’d need a bigger battery and more weight. They’ve done a decent job. If I had the cash it’d make good sense for a city dweller like myself who loves the occasional batter down a backroad. All those whining about the sound, it being an EV and the lack of cup holders should get a life.

[@kevinnicholson7722]

it's definitely a contender. I would like to see it road tested back to back with the Alfa junior veloce and the Abarth600e . Maybe throw in a mini JCW electric too....

[@petere8129]

Great review the best I've seen on the Alpine, no harping on at length about the past just a perfect car review on what we can expect from this model.

[@crjeanes]

How can you not mention the Mini Cooper SE when reviewing the Alpine A290... it surely has to be this car's closest competitor?

[@maxtorque2277]

It's like the BMW i3s never existed! 1250kg, (that's a couple of fat passengers less than this A290!) drive to the correct end (the back) ultra-stiff carbon and allumnium chassis, a wheel literally at each corner, narrow enough to fit on our crowded roads and critically, also narrow tyres that provide steering feel (less conicity hence tight offset control and low steering assistance requirements) and a level of grip, the limits of which are actually accessable on normal roads. It's also a sure fire future classic in the making....... ;-)

[@hamsterclamper]

Brilliant background music! Top tip for next time: turn it up a bit and drown out the journo’s voice COMPLETELY🥳

[@sinoevc]

I'm deeply inspired by your progress. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to seeing more of your amazing accomplishments in the future!

[@964tractorboy]

Setting aside the overly loud background music at the start, this A290 was a lot less formulaic than most EVs. The rear had definite flash-backs to the old 5 Turbo. However, I didn't like the front treatment. What are the 'X's supposed to signify? Too fussy for me. The red "overtake button" looked like a last-minute 3D-print to replace a broken control. If you hadn't mentioned the cup-holders I would never have noticed. And of course, 38k buys an awful lot of second-hand metal. But I still enjoyed the review. Thanks Matt.

[@juliandclarke]

Nice. Thanks for the vid. Is only blue interior available or are there alternatives? We’ve a Honda e. Always a shame Honda didn’t develop an R version

[@stephen300o6]

I have never used a cup holder, I drink separately from driving.

[@richardpiper4828]

What I wanted to know was how the Alpine compared with the Mini Cooper SE which whilst not sold as a hot hatch has very similar power output figures as the A290. The Mini is a bit heavier but from what I have read it may be a bit more fun with its typical Go Kart handling.

[@paulclark4426]

Interesting, I really thought it would weigh more. I remember my old 2007 Ford Focus ST weight just over 1400kg from factory.

[@Whatshisname346]

Good point. I like the simplicity myself. Didn’t go overboard with power and tech. Just enough for a bit of a laugh, like a proper hot hatch.

[@martinpettett4306]

That price though! 😢

[@brianwilson245]

Drink your coffee, then drive................you do not need cup holders!! It's not a coffee bar

[@howyg101]

what about somewhere to store a drink on a long drive though?

[@cp4512]

Might be okay after the first owner eats the savage EV depreciation!

[@WiseGuy02]

They keep depreciating.

[@paulw5822]

I appreciate this is a hatchback bodyshell, but at roughly an extra 50% increase in weight over the A110, its hard to take the A290 too seriously in it's suggested role of "hot hatch"?

[@runrabbitrunracing]

It’s prob not aluminium for a start

[@juliandclarke]

100% increase in seats over A110

[@symparanekromenoi]

At around 7:20 he goes on to discussing the limited slip diff and says that brakes are applied to the inside wheel to help turn. Isn’t that the opposite of what a limited slip diff should do ? I always thought the limited slip diff causes both wheels to go at the same or at least not much different speeds, hence the name- limited slip. I’m really confused. Somebody help plz !

[@ThePedroDB]

If I understand it correctly, a mechanical limited slip diff transfers more power to the wheel that has the most grip/isn't slipping in order to generate more drive. On any given corner it's usually the inner wheel that slips whilst the outer retains more grip due to lateral forces. An 'electronic LSD' tries to simulate what the mechanical unit does by braking the innner wheel independently from the outer. Both systems retard the slipping wheel and maintain a speed differential between the wheels by different means

[@symparanekromenoi]

@ thank you so much

[@bingoberra18]

If it doesnt lift the inside rear wheel in a corner it´s not a real hot hatch :(

[@mikaeljohnsson4982]

Yes, but then you must have blinked at 14:37.

[@bingoberra18]

@@mikaeljohnsson4982 Well spotted, but not enough to make it tingle sorry :P

[@OllieduckmanGaming]

The thumbnail…. “The first proper hot hatch ev” have you forgotten the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N ???

[@fleixfire6641]

The Hyundai is not really a hot hatch, it’s more a Mercedes c63/ BMW m3 touring competitor so it’s a fast estate/family car not a hatchback

[@jamiep61]

I didn’t particularly like the soundtrack music, the Car however looks awesome and thank you Filming It 😊

[@global_nomad.]

good to know that as the necessary ev shift progresses, companies are finding ways to bring back some of the aspects we thought we had lost...many generations to go before we are all completely convinced but likely sooner than all the naysayers think.

[@tristancollins3037]

I love the fact this has no cup holders or pockets in the rear. In my family any cubby hole just gets filled with trash.

[@davesound7188]

Can we have a button to turn off the music on your videos because that’s very annoying

[@IslaSprollie]

I can't believe I'm saying this but not having a cup holder and no paddle regen adjustability means I'm keeping my Honda e for even longer. I had high hopes. 😥

[@jordanbellamy6993]

getting fed up of these car release videos, where just chuck in footage from the manufacturer and can’t be bothered filming exterior shots themselves…

[@runrabbitrunracing]

He’s prob on his own….

[@Chargerer]

Old school hothatch? What drugs do you take?

[@rikstar.]

Excatly my thoughts, another guy trying to push electric vehicles

[@jerehada]

Prefer that Mallorca road on my bike.

[@alexclark6777]

"Old school hot hatch" "Electric" Choose one.

[@rikstar.]

💯

[@craigrobertson3440]

Love your reviews Matt but the music needs to go

[@markseeger3352]

I’m not a massive EV fan, most are incredibly dull, suppose there good as a daily but nothing more but I really like this Alpine, first decent attempt at a smallish EV hot hatch.

[@rikstar.]

I do not

[@reteptetep5078]

£37,000 for a Renault hatchback. What planet are we on.

[@hadrienlf23]

A planet where the mass of money has double over 30years. In 1998 people were paying 18k for a Clio RS. Maybe your house is also worth double or triple...

[@TheImperfectGuy]

You know I would excuse it If they made it something as mad as an R5 Turbo or Clio V6 HUGE arches and RWD, without consideration for cargo space

[@peterarmstrong3853]

Have you seen the prices of Peugeot and Citroen EVs. 😂😂😂😂

[@hadrienlf23]

@@TheImperfectGuy Had an R5 turbo 2 and a Clio V6.All show, no go., they were really average to drive. I have driven this new R5 it's a much nicer car to hassle around a B road. And I own a GT3RS and a NSX but have ordered this R5 as a daily.

[@bid84]

@@hadrienlf23 congratulations on your tiny willy!

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

It has potential and give it a few years when we have >400 watts/kg batteries, we’ll have a >60kWh battery capacity and hopefully a 1350kg vehicle with more than 250bhp… then it will be worth £37k. As it is, it’s a miss. The braking on corners is an energy wasting fudge.

[@pereldh5741]

Fussy weird styling: headlamp shape, fake side inlet shapes, faux spoiler below rear window, etc. Renault need a new design team

[@mcstaal]

At least it hasn't any fake exhaust pipes like all ICE-cars. Saw a VW with a 3 cylinder 1L engine and 4 (FOUR) fake exhaust pipes

[@StevePoyza]

Super confused why you’re constantly comparing this to an IONIQ 5 N. What bigger, more expensive and straddling the line between hatch and SUV. Mini Cooper SE and Abarth 500e seem like a much more sensible comparison.

[@WiseGuy02]

I'd have an old one over this. It'd probably be worth more than this golf cart after a few years.

[@urbanstrencan]

I just want to know one thing can it replace my pocket rocket Hyundai i20N Performance 🤟🤟😍

[@miekieko7076]

You're a good presenter and Autocar usually has good camera work (apart from the boring artifically perfect b-roll) but please watch a few "What Car" videos for pointers on incorporating music into reviews. Nice music for the camerawork but either very low or no music once the presenter starts talking. You've done it multiple times, so who okayed this new format of drowining out everything with awful music.

[@jacob.munkhammar]

It's a driver's car with a 160 mile range. Tell me again why it needs cupholders.

[@51madmitch]

Nice looking small car for a change, put an ICE in it and I’m sure it would sell like hit cakes, as an EV, 👋👋👋

[@howyg101]

if he's right and it will only do 160 miles on a charge can't see that going down well on a 38k car?

[@ViscountCharles]

The A290, or a MINI JCW?

[@howardnoble7289]

No music please, too loud when he is talking

[@richarddutchholland4780]

Nearly 40k for a small EV hatch? You can pick up a three year old Porsche Tycan for 5k more 😂

[@ThePedroDB]

Never mind the EV, when's the next edition of the Middle Aged Tread vodcast being released? I miss the banter between you guys... 😢

[@johnnyhickman6798]

Doesn’t really look like your having anywhere near as much fun as the old hot hatches

[@timhearn7622]

Music off please!!!!!!!! 😭

[@TSMagnum82]

Preserve a petrol hot hatch while you still can.

[@stephen300o6]

Old people have youtube too.

[@krazed0451]

"The old-school hot hatch is back" - No it isn't.

[@johnathanturner3955]

Combustion hot hatch is dead? Since when? The Germans are still churning them out, Golf R, Golf Gti, POLO GTI, Audi S3, RS3, BMWs M140i and 125ti, Mercedes A35 and A45, Skodas Octavia VRS, Cupra Leon and Formentor. Toyota offer the GR yaris, Honda offer the CIVIC Type R, Hyundai have the i20n and i30n, Ford still offer the focus ST, Abarths 595 and 695, there is still a lot hot hatches available new and they will be around for a few years yet. To say that combustion engine hot hatches are dead is not only a bold statement but more importantly a false statement.

[@mancavehobbies6213]

For one it's not old school it's a crappy EV.

[@hoody3758]

{The old-school hot hatch is back[" XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

[@beetleything1864]

EV - bah sheeshhh...........

[@nyc863]

fake LSD, fake sound, fake light weight feeling, fake steering,. Some fun to be had if you squint. Welcome to the world of fun EVs.

[@m1keyw]

Please lose the pointless background music - it's terrible.

[@kerryjones1508]

Lasted 30 seconds with the unnecessary and distracting racket in the background.

[@prashanthp5448]

You can see that he desperately wants to love it but the car just isn’t exciting.

[@SSHHABBA]

Jazzier ? What’s a 90s car review ? Cheeesy

[@aldershotborn2824]

Could not watch due to annoying music

[@user-xl7yf7pc7k]

That music is highly annoying

[@BertoniBertone]

Nothing to do with Matt at all….but the phrase that keeps on revolving in my mind…is just a plain and simple ‘Why ?’ . This is precisely what happens when you put EU bureaucrats in charge of technology…. It’s so depressing.

[@j3xk72r9]

Music far too intrusive and distracting.

[@nijasty]

The music makes this unwatchable

[@ortontom]

nice car, put the music louder - winds people up lol

[@duckman5642]

Great with a 2.0 ICE, stop this rubbish.

[@BLITZKRIEG1]

it's the future😂

[@JeanPauldeJong1]

It's informative, I've driven the Renault 5 and liked it. But dude, show some emotion, show us you are alive. This is the most reserved and boring review ever. Also, that shirt looks excessively much ironed with starch 🤣

[@Nick-ct1ww]

£38k so this or a golf GTI? Hmmmm 😂

[@cp4512]

Yep, I’d take the Golf GTI too!

[@nickb-]

I'm sure Matt is a lovely guy and knows a hell of a lot about cars. But he just puts me to sleep. He talks in a monotone and somehow makes a review of even the most exciting car extremely boring. It's the opposite of the energy and excitement you get from a Chris Harris or even a Harry Metcalf.

[@gilleschareyre1272]

Je là verai bien un Bon 2litres turbo essence

[@ivanlazarevic78]

It would be great car with proper petrol engine. Who asked buyers do they really wan't to stop the real hot hatch production? I do not think they did not sold well. There are much bigger petrol engines on the market still why 1.6 turbo is not allowed in hot hatch? To ad also I don't think anyone acctualy buy this expensive ev's.

[@Pimepemi]

This guy in this video : A lot of uninformative talking, and very poor racing techniques on circuit. You can't sway the back end of the car simply because you don't know the racing technique with your foot on the brake and your hands on the steering wheel. Just take lessons with a really competent racing instructor.

[@youtubed9695]

EV 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

[@joneaton3366]

Not sounding very convincing on the fun sense

[@SteezyG]

reupload with no music

[@glenndavid8725]

Get some younger folk driving, these miserable boring old gits do my head in. ❤

[@leon-f3o9t]

ELECTRIC HOT HATCH nooooooooooooooooooooo

[@rustystuff]

Guys, that music 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@adidasaddict]

meh

[@tshlk]

Cars died.

[@didierpuzenat7280]

Petrol cars, yes, indeed, for the better.

[@desild5869]

Massive bankruptcies are incoming for sure. This car is garbage even at BOM cost, let alone at MSRP. This is like watching an ad for impotence: "Forget about getting hard! 10 ways to let it dangle with style in 2025!"