Cedar Motors, distributor of Renault, Dacia and Nissan in Ireland has launched the iconic Alpine brand in Ireland.

The launch here this week features two standout models: the timelessly engineered Alpine A110 2-seater sports car; and the all-electric A290, which has been voted as European Car of the Year 2025.

The A110 is known for its lightweight design and mid-engine layout and the spirit of the iconic Berlinette from the past. This new version comes with a modern blend of agility, refinement, and driving purity which is much appreciated in the world of motoring.

Alongside it, the A290 makes its long-awaited debut. It is a rather bold electric hot hatch that distils Alpine’s motorsport heritage into a compact, everyday performance car.

Here is a lively small saloon, with five doors and a generous 326-litre boot capacity. You get a 10.1-inch central screen angled towards the driver, and the physical air-conditioning controls can be adjusted without taking your eyes off the road.

The seats, a fundamental component of any sports car, are meticulously designed in the A290. They offer side reinforcement for extra support without compromising on everyday comfort.

The engine comes from the higher segment and the result is one of the best-performing cars in the segment, with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.4 seconds, up to 220 bhp and 300 Nm of torque, and a weight of just 1,479 kg.

A button on the steering wheel activates the four different Alpine driving modes: Save, Normal, Sport and Personal.

The A290’s engine has two power levels: 180 bhp in the GT, and the GT Premium; and 220 bhp in the GT Performance and GTS. In both cases, the throttle response is calibrated to make the A290 a genuine sports car that is easy to control despite its electric motor’s high levels of power and torque.

The A290 comes as standard with a 52 kWh battery, giving a WLTP range up to 380 km. A heat pump is included to optimise cabin temperature while preserving range. The A290’s 100 kW DC fast-charging system enables it to go from 15 to 80% charge in 30 minutes or to recover up to 150 km WLTP in 15 minutes.

At an AC charging point, its on-board 11 kW charger enables the vehicle to be recharged from 50% to 80% in 1 hour 20 minutes, or 70 km WLTP in one hour, or 3 hours 20 minutes to recover from 10% to 80% charge. This charger incorporates a bi-directional

From July 1, the Alpine range will be initially on display in the Alpine Store at Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin while test drives and vehicle sales will be available through Windsor Motormall in North Dublin, Alpine’s official retail and service partner in Ireland.

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the Alpine brand and looking ahead the brand plans a fully electric future with its 100% electric “Dream Garage” concept which will see the brand have seven fully-electric vehicles by 2030, including the A390 electric Sport Fastback with 470 bhp, which is coming to Ireland in 2026.

Pictured: The new Alpine A290.