Alpine secured the Category 2 Manufacturer Trophy at the inaugural ecoRally Scotland with their all-electric A290 GTS hot hatch. The French automaker claimed victory with ten-time French Rally Champion Emmanuel ‘Manu’ Guigou and co-driver Emilien Le Borgne leading the charge.
Local rally driver Ashleigh Morris and co-driver Craig Parry finished third overall in their Alpine UK-backed A290 GTS. The pair had met just 24 hours before the event started.
“It was a very different experience for me, and a cost-effective way to get involved in motorsport,” Morris said. “I had only driven an EV once or twice before this weekend.”
Morris praised the A290’s handling on Scotland’s challenging terrain.
“The A290 was the perfect car for Scottish roads – the roads were very twisty and narrow in places, so I was very grateful to have such a nimble vehicle. The turning circle was ideal for some of the tight hairpins, which meant that I could get round them without losing any time.”
Co-driver Parry highlighted the car’s comfort during long stages.
“The car suits this sort of rally well. As a 6ft5 navigator you want something comfortable to spend long hours in that’s also going to hold you in place when it gets twisty!”
Alpine’s Scottish Debut Success
Alpine’s third A290 – driven by Kirkaldy-based freelance journalist Steve Berry and his wife Kaye – also completed the event successfully. All three Alpine entries finished the rally.
Nicola Burnside, Alpine UK managing director, connected the result to Alpine’s motorsport heritage.
“This result proves how Alpine’s motorsport-honed attributes of lightness and agility are just as relevant in today’s electrified world as they’ve always been. The A290 showed its strengths on Scotland’s challenging roads, combining dynamic performance with real-world efficiency.”
She emphasized the significance of the debut performance.
“To secure the Manufacturer trophy and two podiums on debut is a fantastic achievement and underlines the potential of Alpine in electric motorsport.”
Different Type of Competition
DirtFish rally journalist Luke Barry also participated in the event with his wife behind the wheel of a 2025 Škoda Enyaq. In a write-up on the DirtFish website, Barry explained he suffered from Monday “post-rally blues” after the event.
The stages demand “incredible concentration and discipline,” Barry noted.
EcoRally differs from traditional rally formats. Instead of pure speed over point-to-point stages, competitors are scored on both speed and energy efficiency over ‘regularity’ stages. The FIA organizes the series specifically for all-electric and hybrid vehicles.
Teams must use completely stock vehicles – no modifications allowed from showroom specification.
