Alpine is entering a period of rapid expansion, and the scale of its ambition is becoming increasingly clear. Over the next few years, the French performance brand will roll out a string of electric models, starting with the A390 mid-size coupe-SUV, followed by an all-electric A110 sports car and the A310 2+2 coupe. Beyond those confirmed arrivals, the roadmap becomes less defined, but Alpine’s long-term goal remains firm: a seven-car EV line-up, with room at the top for a potential flagship SUV.
That possibility was strongly hinted at during the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Alpine’s head of design, Antony Villain, spoke to Auto Express. “We need something for the D and E segment,” he said – a clear indication that Alpine is considering a larger, range-topping model to sit above the recently revealed A390.
A Bigger Alpine, But Not at Any Cost
At the A390’s launch, Alpine CEO Philippe Krief offered further insight into how the company’s thinking has evolved. While there are still no confirmed plans for a US market entry, it remains firmly on Alpine’s radar. If that move were to happen, Krief admits that the electric A110 alone might not be sufficient to support dealers and partners in such a competitive market.
“We will be ready to go to the US with APP,” Krief explained, referring to Alpine’s new Alpine Performance Platform. “We need to go to the US with A110 because this is the heart of Alpine. But in the US, maybe, it won’t be enough… maybe we need to have something more.”
That “something more” was once envisioned as a large SUV, but Alpine is now reassessing what form a US-focused model should take. The priority, Krief stresses, is volume – but never at the expense of brand identity. “We certainly need a model with higher volumes, but don’t want to make the mistake of going to the US with a big car that is outside the DNA of the brand.”
Redefining the SUV Formula
Alpine itself is reluctant to label the A390 as a conventional SUV, preferring the term “sports fastback”. The description fits: the car is only a centimetre taller than the A290 hot hatch, with a sweeping roofline and muscular haunches that prioritise style and driving engagement over outright interior space. With up to 464bhp from its tri-motor, all-wheel-drive set-up, the A390 represents Alpine’s interpretation of what a larger performance EV should be.
That philosophy could carry over to a future flagship, potentially badged A590. Krief sees the A390 as proof that Alpine can offer an emotional alternative to the mainstream SUV template. “The A390 feels like an SUV that is completely different,” he said. “If we are not able to do a car with this kind of feeling, we won’t do the car.”
Where the A590 Would Fit
While unconfirmed, the A590 name would align neatly with Alpine’s current naming strategy. Models ending in ‘90’ fall under the brand’s internal “Versatility” family, which includes the A290 and A390, while the more purist “Iconic” cars – such as the A110 and future A310 – carry ‘10’ suffixes.
Technically, the path forward is less straightforward. Unlike the electric A110, which will sit on the bespoke APP platform, the A390 uses a heavily modified version of Renault’s AmpR Medium architecture, shared with cars like the Scenic, Megane and Nissan Ariya. In its current form, this platform tops out at around 4.6 metres in length, which could limit how far Alpine can stretch it for a true D- or E-segment SUV.
A potential A590 would need to take on heavy hitters such as the BMW iX, Lotus Eletre and the upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV – all of which push close to the five-metre mark. Renault has previously suggested the platform could support up to seven-seat vehicles, but whether it can realistically underpin a full-size flagship remains an open question.
Design Consistency, Driver Focus
What is certain is that Alpine intends to maintain a strong and recognisable design identity across its EV range. Expect the brand’s signature quad-headlight ‘V’ motif, a curved rear window inspired by a crash helmet visor, and a flowing roofline to continue. The dramatic Alpenglow hydrogen hypercar concept offers a glimpse of how this language will evolve, with future models set to borrow more of its visual drama.
Inside, Alpine is equally determined to stand apart. While newer models like the A290 and A390 have embraced larger screens, the brand remains committed to driver focus and usability. “Alpine drivers want to focus on driving and you don’t want screens everywhere,” Villain said, emphasising that physical buttons will continue to play a key role. “Buttons are important for Alpine… our cars will have lots of physical buttons.”
The Bigger Picture
A flagship Alpine SUV is far from confirmed, but the intent is clear. As the brand expands beyond its lightweight sports car roots, it is carefully exploring how to grow without diluting what makes an Alpine an Alpine. If an A590 does arrive, it won’t be about chasing trends or simply going bigger – it will be about proving that even at the top of the range, driving emotion still comes first.
Source: Alpine