The all-new Alpine A390 battery-electric compact crossover SUV is considered too small for the North American market, but its price says it's much larger

Extreme editions of its current cars, as well as a supercar, are currently on the wishlist of niche French automaker Alpine.

Franco Colapinto says he’s excited to be experiencing pre-season preparations with a team for the first time in his career.

Oscar Piastri has opened up on 2022 – a period that saw him transition from a sidelined protege to the center of a global contract war.

Alpine’s US ambitions aren’t dead, but a niche sports car alone won’t cut it. A performance SUV and pending EV demand could decide the brand’s fate.

The A390 starts at £61,390 in the UK which instantly puts it below even the cheapest Macan Electric. That matters because the entry level Porsche costs £68,600 and only drives its rear wheels with 355 hp (360 PS / 265 kW). Alpine ’s cheapest version is all wheel drive, makes 394 hp (400 PS / 294 kW) and still undercuts it by more than seven grand.

The electric crossover is a bit smaller than the Porsche Macan EV and is offered with two powertrain options and three trim levels

Back in 2022, Oscar Piastri forwent an Alpine F1 promotion after signing a contract with McLaren for his grand prix debut

Christian Horner is understood to be in advanced negotiations with Alpine over purchasing a stake in the team, leading a business consortium. The 52-year-old is working to capitalise on perhaps his best opportunity to make a return to Formula 1.