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The A290 is Crowned Performance Car of the Year: Why "Fun" is Back in Fashion
If you’ve been following the world of electric cars, you’ll know that most manufacturers have been obsessed with one thing: straight-line speed. We’ve seen EVs with enough 0-60mph power to make your eyes water, but they often forget a crucial ingredient, the actual joy of driving.
At the 2026 UK Car of the Year (UKCOTY) Awards, the Alpine A290 was named Performance Car of the Year.
This wasn't just a win; it was a statement. In a category usually dominated by fire-breathing petrol engines or massive electric hypercars, the A290 took the trophy because it focused on something better: soul.
The UKCOTY awards are decided by an independent panel of over 30 of the country’s most respected motoring journalists, people from outlets like The Telegraph, Pistonheads, and Autocar who spend their lives testing everything from supercars to hatchbacks.
What won them over? The A290 captures the "scintillating" feel of a classic hot hatch. Paul Hudson of The Telegraph noted that it proves EVs can be exciting in any situation, while Alisdair Suttie (Pistonheads) described it as a "welcome jolt of electrified fun" with a "great big dollop of style."
It’s Not About the Numbers
In a world of 1,000bhp electric SUVs, the A290 is a breath of fresh air. Instead of chasing headline-grabbing power figures just for the sake of it, it prioritises how the car feels in your hands:
You can go for the agile 180hp motor or the punchier 220hp version, which hits 62mph in a brisk 6.4 seconds.
With a wider track, hydraulic bump stops, and a faster steering rack than the standard Renault 5, it handles with the kind of balance usually reserved for Alpine’s legendary A110 sports car.
Straight from the world of Formula 1, the steering wheel features a dedicated red "OV" button for an instant burst of power when you need it most.
As judge Natisha Chatten put it: "The best performance cars are about emotion rather than outright numbers... the Alpine A290 delivers that in abundance."
High Performance, Real-World Price
Perhaps the most impressive part of the A290’s win is that it remains accessible. While most "Performance Cars of the Year" come with a mortgage-sized price tag, the A290 starts from £30,245 (OTR, including the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant).
The Verdict
Alpine’s first-ever fully electric car had a massive job to do: prove that the brand’s motorsport DNA could survive the switch to batteries. This award is the ultimate "mission accomplished." It’s a car that turns heads, rewards the driver, and, crucially, makes you want to take the long way home.
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