{"id":532390,"date":"2026-07-04T08:02:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T08:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/532390\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T08:02:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T08:02:14","slug":"alpine-x-lacoste-a290-rallye-is-an-electric-rally-car-with-290-hidden-crocodiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/532390\/","title":{"rendered":"Alpine x Lacoste A290 Rallye Is an Electric Rally Car With 290 Hidden Crocodiles"},"content":{"rendered":"

French automotive brand Alpine Cars has joined forces with fashion house Lacoste to unveil the Alpine x Lacoste Beware of the Crocodile \u2013 Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye, a one-off electric rally car that combines competition engineering with fashion-inspired design. Developed as a unique collaboration between the two French brands, the vehicle merges Alpine\u2019s motorsport expertise with Lacoste\u2019s distinctive design language. Announced on 29 June 2026, the collaboration also includes a co-branded apparel capsule collection and a campaign film titled The Test, featuring actor Pierre Niney and Pierre Gasly, driver for the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.<\/p>\n

Alpine based the project on the A290 Rallye, the brand\u2019s dedicated customer racing platform. The collaboration focuses on integrating Lacoste\u2019s visual identity into a fully functional rally vehicle while maintaining Alpine\u2019s motorsport <\/a>engineering.<\/p>\n

Alpine x Lacoste Introduce a One-Off Electric Rally Car<\/p>\n

French brands Lacoste and Alpine come together through a collaboration rooted in a shared philosophy of innovation, performance, and functional design. Founded by tennis legend Ren\u00e9 Lacoste, Lacoste revolutionized sportswear by combining athletic performance with timeless elegance. <\/p>\n

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Alpine, established by Jean R\u00e9d\u00e9l\u00e9, built its reputation on lightweight sports cars <\/a>and motorsport success, particularly in rally racing. Drawing from these parallel legacies, the collaboration emphasizes lightweight engineering, precision craftsmanship, technical innovation, and performance-driven design. The project integrates automotive engineering and fashion design into a unified concept, where each element serves both aesthetic and functional purposes.<\/p>\n

Based on Alpine\u2019s Most Performance-Oriented Electric Hatch<\/p>\n

Alpine selected the A290 Rallye, its dedicated electric competition vehicle. The decision means the collaboration starts with an existing motorsport platform.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Engineering highlights include:<\/p>\n

Rally-specific chassis tuning<\/p>\n

Optimised suspension geometry<\/p>\n

Wider tracks for improved stability<\/p>\n

Competition-developed aerodynamics<\/p>\n

Reinforced braking system<\/p>\n

Rally-focused electronic calibration<\/p>\n

Electric powertrain with immediate torque delivery<\/p>\n

High-speed cooling optimisation<\/p>\n

The vehicle represents Alpine\u2019s approach to customer electric motorsport while demonstrating how EV technology can be adapted for rally competition.<\/p>\n

Exterior Design Analysis<\/p>\n

Lacoste\u2019s Crocodile Becomes the Design Theme<\/p>\n

The entire exterior design revolves around one iconic element, the red tongue of Lacoste\u2019s crocodile logo.<\/p>\n

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Instead of applying logos across the bodywork, designers transformed the crocodile into an architectural concept that influences color, lighting, and graphics.<\/p>\n

Exterior highlights include:<\/p>\n

Bluish-white exterior inspired by Alpine mountain landscapes<\/p>\n

Mineral finish recalling snow and ice<\/p>\n

Carbon fibre aerodynamic components<\/p>\n

Enlarged rally arches<\/p>\n

Roof air intake<\/p>\n

Large rear spoiler<\/p>\n

Competition diffuser<\/p>\n

Exposed carbon detailing<\/p>\n

Custom wheel design<\/p>\n

Revised lighting graphics inspired by a crocodile\u2019s eyes<\/p>\n

The body retains the proportions of the A290 Rallye while introducing graphic treatments developed jointly by Alpine and Lacoste\u2019s design teams.<\/p>\n

Interior Design<\/p>\n

A Monochromatic Red Cockpit<\/p>\n

The cabin adopts an entirely different atmosphere.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Designers describe the interior as placing the driver \u201cinside the crocodile\u2019s mouth,\u201d achieved through an almost completely monochromatic red environment.<\/p>\n

Major interior features include:<\/p>\n

Lacoste Petit Piqu\u00e9 Fabric: The seats and door panels use Lacoste\u2019s signature petit piqu\u00e9 textile, the same fabric associated with the brand\u2019s polo shirts.<\/p>\n

Embroidered Details: Embroidery has been produced by Potencier, the historic workshop known for manufacturing Lacoste\u2019s embroidered crocodile logos.<\/p>\n

Joint Branding: A sculpted Alpine \u00d7 Lacoste emblem appears throughout the interior as a bas-relief.<\/p>\n

Crocodile References: Designers incorporated 290 crocodiles throughout the vehicle in subtle graphic and sculptural details.<\/p>\n

Advanced Manufacturing Technologies<\/p>\n

Beyond styling, several production techniques distinguish the project.<\/p>\n

3D-Printed Rally Seats<\/p>\n

The Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye incorporates advanced manufacturing through rally seats featuring structural components produced by ERPRO using industrial 3D-printing technology<\/a>. Instead of conventional solid structures, the seats use lightweight lattice geometries that reduce overall weight while enhancing comfort and energy absorption. <\/p>\n

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This manufacturing approach also enables complex internal designs that would be difficult to achieve with traditional production methods, improving material efficiency without compromising strength. The use of 3D-printed<\/a> components reflects both Alpine\u2019s focus on performance engineering and Lacoste\u2019s emphasis on intelligent, lightweight design, making the seats a key technical highlight of the one-off rally car.<\/p>\n

Structural Treatments<\/p>\n

The interior also features a series of technical structural treatments that emphasize the A290 Rallye\u2019s competition-focused character. Red anodized structural components create a bold visual contrast while highlighting the vehicle\u2019s exposed engineering, complemented by motorsport-grade materials selected for durability and performance. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Lightweight construction methods are applied throughout the cabin to reduce unnecessary mass, and functional surface treatments prioritize practicality over decorative finishes. Together, these details reinforce that the Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye is engineered as a genuine rally machine with authentic motorsport credentials.<\/p>\n

Electric Rally Technology<\/p>\n

The A290 Rallye platform has been developed specifically for electric competition.<\/p>\n

Key engineering characteristics include:<\/p>\n

Instant Electric Performance<\/p>\n

The electric drivetrain delivers immediate torque response, an advantage during rally acceleration and corner exits.<\/p>\n

Rally-Specific Software<\/p>\n

Dedicated electronic calibrations are designed to maintain consistent performance under demanding competition conditions.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Chassis Development<\/p>\n

Suspension geometry and chassis rigidity have been engineered specifically for rally stages, focusing on precision and stability across varied terrain.<\/p>\n

Aerodynamic Efficiency<\/p>\n

Functional aerodynamic components contribute to:<\/p>\n

Improved cooling<\/p>\n

Additional downforce<\/p>\n

Greater high-speed stability<\/p>\n

Capsule Collection<\/p>\n

Complementing the one-off Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye, the collaboration extends into fashion with a co-branded capsule collection inspired by the shared worlds of motorsport and tennis. The range includes polo shirts, T-shirts, lightweight technical apparel, outerwear, accessories, and other co-branded sportswear designed to balance functionality with everyday style. Reflecting the same design philosophy as the vehicle, the collection emphasizes lightness, freedom of movement, precision, and performance while blending Lacoste\u2019s signature sporting elegance with Alpine\u2019s motorsport identity.<\/p>\n

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Campaign Film: The Test<\/p>\n

To bring the collaboration to life, Alpine <\/a>and Lacoste have released a short campaign film titled The Test, produced by Ninety Films, the production company co-founded by Pierre Niney. The film stars Niney alongside Pierre Gasly, BWT Alpine Formula One Team driver and Lacoste ambassador, with both appearing as themselves. Instead of showcasing technical specifications, the campaign uses humor, playful interactions, and dynamic driving sequences around the one-off Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye to illustrate the partnership\u2019s central theme where high-performance engineering meets French elegance and style.<\/p>\n

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Executive Perspectives<\/p>\n

Eric Vallat, CEO of Lacoste<\/a>, described the project as an expression of French ingenuity, emphasizing that both brands have historically pursued performance through innovation and attention to detail.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Antony Villain, Vice President of Design at Alpine, stated that the collaboration extends beyond speed alone, combining competition engineering, lightweight design and timeless French aesthetics into a single automotive project.<\/p>\n

Product Design Analysis<\/p>\n

The Alpine \u00d7 Lacoste collaboration integrates design, engineering, and manufacturing at multiple levels.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The project stands out through:<\/p>\n

Use of a genuine rally competition platform<\/p>\n

Motorsport engineering was retained throughout the build<\/p>\n

Fashion-inspired materials integrated into functional components<\/p>\n

Industrial 3D-printed interior structures<\/p>\n

Consistent crocodile-inspired design language rather than decorative branding<\/p>\n

Limited production as a one-off concept vehicle<\/p>\n

By combining rally engineering with textile innovation and French industrial design, the Beware of the Crocodile \u2013 Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye demonstrates how automotive collaborations can move beyond appearance to influence materials, manufacturing techniques and user experience while maintaining authentic motorsport performance.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Product Overview<\/p>\n

SpecificationDetailsProduct NameBeware of the Crocodile \u2013 Alpine Lacoste A290 RallyeVehicle TypeOne-off electric rally carBase ModelAlpine A290 RallyeCategoryCustomer racing EVCollaborationAlpine Cars \u00d7 LacosteLaunch Date29 June 2026ProductionOne unique vehicle<\/p>\n

Credit: Alpine x Lacoste<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"French automotive brand Alpine Cars has joined forces with fashion house Lacoste to unveil the Alpine x Lacoste…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":532391,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[61,60,80],"class_list":["post-532390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532390","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=532390"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532390\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/532391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=532390"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=532390"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=532390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}