Alpine A390 review

For the most part, the cabin feels worth the high asking price, thanks to an interesting selection of smart materials in tasteful colours, well assembled. Maybe you can pick holes – the climate switches are a little creaky, but at least they're physical switches not menus.

You also get plenty of other buttons for driver assist and hi-fi and mirrors, lights and wipers. Seems idiotic that this demands comment, but in these days of all-screen cars it really does.

The driver's screen of course has multiple configurations to emphasise efficiency or ADAS, but also includes a simple graphic mode of two round clocks — speed and power.

The central touchscreen is plenty big enough, although the low-slung seating position you'll want to adopt can make it a stretch for your left hand. Its quick graphics and logical menus let you work with little bother. It has a page of telematics and coaching for cornering lines and footwork. The hifi on the GTS is a terrific Devialet system, another chapeau to France's high-end tech sector.

The GTS has terrifically enveloping Sabelt front chairs. Only issue from the driver's point of view is that they're mounted a little high versus the dash and windows. But that's a reflection of this being a low-bodied car. Anyway, they're good for high-g cornering or long motorway stretches.

What about in the back?

Those bulky front seats do steal foot space in the rear. And the shortish wheelbase and low roofline close in on your knees and scalp too – six footers won't want to spend too long back here. Limited visibility adds to the sense of confinement, although the cushioning of the outermost seats does at least stop bums sliding around. And there are a couple of USB-C slots for convenience.

The boot is a very decent 532 litres, including a small underfloor box. That number rises to 1,643 with the back seats felled. Just watch out for that lip if you're loading up heavy stuff.