Alpine and Lacoste collaborate for stylish one-off A290 Rallye

Alpine and Lacoste have joined forces for the ultimate collaboration between two iconic French brands.

The result is a one-off A290 Rallye — full name: Beware of the Crocodile - Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye — which Alpine says ‘combines performance, elegance and lightness’.

The automotive brand also said that the A290 Rallye has been ‘designed for customer racing’ and ‘embodies Alpine’s commitment to electric motorsport’.

To showcase the special model, a film called The Test has been revealed, featuring Lacoste ambassador Pierre Niney and Alpine Formula One driver Pierre Gasly. Niney and Gasly’s names can be seen printed on the rear passenger window alongside French flags.

Exterior

A modern design language built for rallying has been used on the Beware of the Crocodile - Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye, with widened tracks, defined wheels, prominent wings and diffuser, roof air intake, and plenty of exposed carbon.

While the exterior of the one-off special is white all over, it is the red of the Lacoste crocodile’s tongue that apparently acted as the starting point for the design, before becoming the central theme throughout the car. A red Lacoste crocodile and Alpine logo are displayed on either side of the Alpine lettering on the front of the car and illuminate as part of the LED lighting setup, while a red model Lacoste crocodile sits on the imposing spoiler looking out of the rear.

Interior

Inside is where the most red can be found, with Alpine calling it an ‘immersive monochrome red world’ which feels as if the ‘driver were literally stepping into the crocodile’s mouth’.

Lacoste has also lent its petit piqué fabric for the seats and door panels, with embroidery produced by Potencier, which made the crocodiles for Lacoste polo shirts. The seats aren’t ordinary, however, with parts incorporated using 3D printing by ERPRO to achieve a true rally feel.

There’s certainly no chance of confusing this with a regular Alpine A290 Rallye, as 290 crocodiles are integrated into its overall design.

As well as the one-off car, Lacoste and Alpine have revealed a clothing collection that ‘brings together the worlds of the court and circuit’. Included in the collection are polo shirts, t-shirts, lightweight technical pieces, accessories and co-branded creations.

Antony Villain, VP Design Alpine said: “The Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye embodies the meeting of two French brands that share the same taste for movement, precision and boldness. In the spirit of Jean Rédélé and René Lacoste, two passionate individuals who became references in their fields, Alpine and Lacoste celebrate a form of performance that goes beyond speed. This collaboration blends the technicality of competition, the lightness of design and the elegance of timeless style. A car designed for the track, but with a true aesthetic signature.”

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Alpine