Alpine Marks 70 Years with a Nostalgic Firework Show at Goodwood

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, French sports car maker Alpine is celebrating its 70th anniversary. As is often the case with birthday festivities, the focus leans more on legacy and symbolism than any substantial technological leap. Several vehicles are being unveiled with great fanfare in both global and UK debuts, ranging from race-prepped models to stylized concept cars.

The spotlight is firmly on the A290 Rallye, an electric rally-inspired version of the car that was recently crowned Car of the Year. Outfitted with a roll cage, limited-slip differential, and upgraded suspension, it still reads more like a PR exercise than a serious race contender. Design chief Raphael Linari calls it an A290 “dressed in sportswear”—a phrase that says more than it lets on.

The crowd will also be introduced to the Alpenglow HY6 concept, powered by a hydrogen-fueled, twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 740 horsepower. It’s a vision of a “green” future that, for now, remains firmly on the theatrical side of the fence—at least until hydrogen infrastructure and zero-emission production catch up with the dream.

The iconic A110 is reaching the end of its lifecycle, but not before the Ultime edition takes one last bow on the track. Theoretically 20 seconds quicker around the Nürburgring than the A110 R, it sounds impressive—until you remember that the Ultime belongs to a dying breed of combustion-engine sports cars whose future lies, at best, in niche enthusiast circles.

Then there’s the A390, a five-seat electric fastback and Alpine’s self-declared torchbearer for the brand’s electric future, promising to carry over the A110’s handling and agility.

Visitors to Goodwood will also find Alpine’s Formula 1 team and a variety of road-going versions of the A290 and A110 on display. Yet the event feels more like an emotional retrospective than a bold statement of what's next—a sentiment the auto industry has been leaning on a little too often lately.