The Alpine A290 and Renault 5, two of Renault Group’s newest electric hot hatches, are getting rally-inspired body kits from Milltek Sport—a company best known for its performance exhaust systems.
From exhausts to bodywork
Milltek, which built its reputation modifying combustion engines, has launched a new division called Milltek Design to adapt to the rise of electric vehicles. Without exhausts to upgrade, the company is now focusing on exterior modifications.
The kits for the Alpine A290 and Renault 5 are described as “Group B-inspired,” a nod to the Renault 5 Maxi that won the 1985 Monte Carlo Rally. The design leans toward aggressive styling rather than subtle aerodynamic tweaks, resembling Mercedes-AMG’s Black Series models more than a basic splitter or gurney flap.
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What’s included in the kit
The package includes extended front and rear arches, bumper sections that blend into those arches, door extensions, a rear spoiler, and side skirts. The Alpine A290 also gets upgraded daytime running lights (DRLs), a feature not available on the Renault 5 due to differences in wiring.
Milltek says the kits use original equipment (OE) mounting points, meaning no permanent modifications are needed. The parts attach with removable bonding, leaving no damage if removed. However, the company hasn’t specified the material—whether it’s carbon fiber, fiberglass, or another composite—or how the wider arches accommodate aftermarket wheels. Whether spacers, suspension changes, or wider wheels are required remains unclear.
The kit is priced at £2,000 plus tax, suggesting the modifications are mostly cosmetic rather than structural. That’s a fraction of the cost of a limited-edition Renault 5 Turbo 3E, which retails for around £100,000.
If the goal is to give an electric hot hatch the look of a 1980s rally car without the mechanical complexity, the price seems reasonable. But whether the kit actually improves performance—or just aesthetics—isn’t yet clear. Milltek hasn’t released details on weight, material durability, or any potential impact on handling.
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For now, the kits are a statement of intent: aftermarket tuning isn’t dead in the electric era, it’s just changing shape. The question is whether buyers will prioritize looks over the kind of mechanical upgrades Milltek once specialized in.
Both the Alpine A290 and Renault 5 are already positioned as sporty, retro-styled EVs. The A290, in particular, shares DNA with the Alpine A110 sports car, while the Renault 5 draws from the brand’s iconic 1980s models. Adding a rally-inspired body kit could appeal to enthusiasts who want their electric cars to stand out even more.
Milltek hasn’t announced when the kits will be available, but given the price and the lack of structural changes, they could hit the market relatively soon. For now, the company is betting that style, not sound, will sell.
