French automaker Alpine is poised to transform electric vehicle performance with its new A390 fastback, employing a unique three-motor architecture and advanced Active Torque Vectoring to deliver exceptional agility despite its power and size.
The A390, Alpine’s first fully electric sports fastback, features a distinctive drivetrain. One motor powers the front axle, while two independent motors drive each rear wheel. This innovative setup allows for precise, individual control over rear-wheel torque.
This independent control has enabled Alpine engineers to develop “Active Torque Vectoring,” a system refined over five years. It offers a faster and more precise torque management on each rear wheel than traditional mechanical limited-slip differentials.
Constance Leraud-Reyser, Alpine’s Control Systems Engineer, highlights the system’s impact. She notes it “eliminates even the slightest hint of oversteer or understeer,” enhancing driver confidence and vehicle dynamics.
The A390 GTS model is Alpine’s most powerful iteration to date. It delivers over 400 horsepower and 800 Newton-meters of torque. This translates to an acceleration of 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in less than four seconds.
Leraud-Reyser also describes the transformative driver experience. “When you’re behind the wheel,” she said, “the feeling of inertia associated with the vehicle’s size and weight simply disappears. All you feel is a pure sensation, a total fusion with the car.”
Active Torque Vectoring achieves this by dynamically distributing torque between the rear wheels. It responds to steering angle and vehicle speed, correcting any discrepancies in wheel slip. This continuously optimizes the vehicle’s cornering performance.
The system reacts in milliseconds, whether the driver is accelerating, cornering, or driving in a straight line. This responsiveness makes the A390 more reactive and significantly easier to control.
Beyond performance, Active Torque Vectoring also enhances driving safety. For example, if a rear wheel loses traction on a slippery surface like ice, the system instantly adjusts torque. This maximizes road grip and stability.
Drivers receive real-time updates on the system’s operation. A dedicated dashboard screen and Alpine Telemetrics Live Data display this crucial information.
The A390 integrates three complementary systems for comprehensive torque management. Alpine Torque Pre-Control manages overall traction. The e-AWD system balances torque distribution between the front and rear axles during cornering. Active Torque Vectoring precisely distributes torque between the left and right rear wheels.
The vehicle offers five distinct driving modes. These include Save, Normal, Sport, Perso, and a new Track mode, all selectable via a button on the steering wheel.
Depending on the chosen mode and driving style, Active Torque Vectoring adapts its torque distribution. It can prioritize agility, optimize cornering dynamics, or enhance stability at high speeds.
Leraud-Reyser emphasized the A390’s impressive capabilities. She stated Alpine has “made the A390 as agile and fast as the A110,” referencing the brand’s renowned sports coupe. She added that “it is so efficient that the A390 is surprisingly easy to drive, considering its power and performance.”