French performance carmaker Alpine and fashion icon Lacoste have joined forces for a unique collaboration that blends motorsport, fashion and design. The partnership introduces the Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye, a one-off electric hot hatch based on Alpine’s rally-spec A290, alongside an exclusive capsule clothing collection.
More than a simple styling exercise, the project celebrates the shared heritage of two legendary French brands founded by visionaries Jean Rédélé and René Lacoste, whose philosophies centered on innovation, precision, lightness and performance.
A Rally Car with a Fashion Twist
Rather than starting with the standard road-going A290, Alpine chose the competition-focused A290 Rallye as the foundation for the concept. Developed for customer motorsport, the electric rally car represents Alpine’s vision for accessible electric performance, making it the perfect canvas for this creative collaboration.
The one-off model takes inspiration from one of Lacoste’s most recognizable design elements—the bright red tongue of its famous crocodile logo. That vibrant shade becomes the defining theme throughout the vehicle.
While the exterior is finished primarily in a frosty bluish-white inspired by Alpine’s snowy landscapes, bold red accents highlight key details including the front bumper, lighting elements and aerodynamic components. The rally-inspired body features flared wheel arches, exposed forged carbon fiber, a functional roof scoop, widened tracks, an aggressive diffuser and an oversized rear spoiler.
Classic white aero-style rally wheels complete the motorsport look.
The most dramatic design element appears at the rear, where the conventional rear window has been replaced by an enormous red crocodile head seemingly emerging from the red-painted ducktail spoiler, creating one of the most distinctive rear-end treatments seen on a modern concept car.
An Interior That Puts Drivers Inside the Crocodile
If the exterior is relatively restrained, the cabin makes an unforgettable statement.
The interior is almost entirely finished in vivid red, creating the sensation of stepping inside the crocodile’s mouth. Alpine and Lacoste describe the immersive environment as heightening the driver’s focus while reinforcing the car’s playful personality.
Lacoste’s signature petit piqué fabric covers the rally seats and door panels, while intricate crocodile embroidery is produced by Potencier, the same historic workshop responsible for the embroidered crocodile logos found on Lacoste’s famous polo shirts.
The seats also feature lightweight 3D-printed structural components developed by ERPRO, using lattice structures that reduce weight while improving comfort and rigidity—an ideal solution for a rally car where every kilogram matters.
Numerous hidden crocodile references appear throughout the cabin and bodywork, with Alpine revealing that exactly 290 crocodiles are incorporated into the overall design as a nod to the A290 name.
Built for Performance
Although heavily customized visually, the one-off retains the serious engineering of the A290 Rallye.
The rally-spec platform includes:
– Competition-developed suspension
– Widened tracks for improved grip and stability
– Reinforced braking system
– Functional aerodynamic upgrades for cooling and downforce
– Electric powertrain calibration optimized for instant response
– Dedicated electronic settings designed to maintain consistent performance under demanding rally conditions
The result is a genuine electric rally machine rather than a purely cosmetic concept.
Celebrating French Innovation
The collaboration extends beyond the vehicle itself.
Alpine and Lacoste have also launched a limited capsule collection featuring polo shirts, T-shirts, technical apparel and accessories inspired by both motorsport and tennis. The collection combines Lacoste’s sporting heritage with Alpine’s performance-focused design language.
To mark the partnership, the brands also released a short film titled The Test, produced by Ninety Films, co-founded by Lacoste ambassador Pierre Niney. The film stars Niney alongside Pierre Gasly, BWT Alpine Formula One Team driver and fellow Lacoste ambassador, showcasing the unique one-off in a lighthearted story that reflects the collaboration’s blend of performance, elegance and humor.
A Concept Worth Producing
The Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye is officially a one-off design study, but its striking appearance and authentic motorsport foundation make it an intriguing vision of what a limited-production special edition could become.
While there are no plans to put the crocodile-inspired hot hatch into production, it successfully demonstrates how fashion and automotive design can complement each other without compromising performance. For enthusiasts of both brands, it’s a memorable celebration of French creativity—and one that leaves many hoping this unique electric rally car won’t remain a one-off forever.
