Alpine will not equip the upcoming A110 EV with "fake" gear shifts or synthetic engine noise, unlike Hyundai's approach with the Ioniq 5 N, according to the French brand's CEO.
In the Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai has introduced an artificial gearbox controlled via paddles, replicating the power delivery of a combustion engine, while simulated engine sounds are played through the speakers. This setup has been well-received, but when asked if Alpine’s A110 EV might adopt a similar system, CEO Philippe Krief responded: “This is fake. This is really fake. I don’t like fake things like that.”
Krief emphasized that the A110 EV should not imitate the sound of an internal combustion engine (ICE) because “it is an electric car.” However, he did acknowledge that Alpine could potentially integrate ICE-like sounds into their EVs if there were customer demand.
Alpine may consider using an artificial sound that differs from a simulated engine noise, similar to what they have done with the new A290 hot hatch. “We could find something that is not the same but similar,” Krief explained, noting how easy it is to implement.
Set to launch in 2026, the A110 will be Alpine's third electric vehicle, following the A290 (derived from the new Renault 5) and the production version of the A390_B concept, which will debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.
While Alpine has previously tested an electric powertrain in the current A110 chassis, the new A110 will sit on a custom platform. This platform will also be used for the A310, a 2+2 vehicle inspired by the Porsche 911, expected to launch later this decade.
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