A 141-HP Chinese Hatch and a 215-HP Alpine Dressed as the Same Rally Car

Two wildly different electric hatchbacks—one from China, the other from France—have emerged looking like long-lost siblings, both draped in motorsport-inspired liveries that blend modern EV tech with retro rally nostalgia.

The Firefly APW Storm Eye, a custom build by Chinese tuning studio APW, and the one-off Alpine A290 Tour de Corse tribute by designer Oscar Molero (SAMM.O) share a striking visual DNA despite their separate origins.

Both feature bright yellow paintwork paired with black and white graphics, white alloy wheels, and rally-style LED lighting across the front.

The Firefly Storm Eye made its public debut at the 2025 Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in November.

Built on the Firefly EV platform (owned by NIO), this WRC-inspired custom rolls on coilover suspension and a full carbon fiber bodykit, including wide fender flares, a front splitter, side skirts, a rear diffuser, and a massive rear wing. It also comes with custom roof rails for a Thule roof rack, ready for action on rally stages. Inside, the hatchback sports white upholstery with yellow stitching and matching seatbelts.

Performance remains stock, with the Firefly EV’s front-mounted electric motor delivering 141 HP (105 kW / 143 PS) and 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) of torque, powered by a 42.1 kWh battery.

The Alpine A290 Tour de Corse tribute, on the other hand, is a one-of-one creation by automotive photographer and designer Oscar Molero in collaboration with Atelier Alpine Barcelona.

Wrapped in a modern take on the brand’s iconic 1975 A110 Tour de Corse rally livery, the French hatchback features a yellow body (reminiscent of the Renault 5) accented with black and white stripes, a black hood with white edges, yellow lower-body highlights, and “Tour de Corse” lettering on the charging port. It rides on white “Snowflake” wheels with red brake calipers.

Under the skin, the R5-based Alpine A290 packs a front-mounted electric motor producing up to 215 HP (160 kW / 218 PS) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a 52 kWh battery.

While the Firefly Storm Eye hit the show floor first, the Alpine’s tribute leans harder into historical accuracy, directly inspired by the original A110 Tour de Corse rally car and the limited-run A110 Tour de Corse 75 special edition from 2022.

Both builds highlight how automakers—whether Chinese or European—are tapping into retro motorsport aesthetics to give their EVs a dose of racing pedigree.

The Firefly Storm Eye proves that even budget-friendly EVs can get the full rally treatment, while the Alpine A290 Tour de Corse tribute shows how a heritage brand can blend past and present into a single, head-turning package.