French icons combine motorsport performance, sporting elegance and design innovation in a unique collaboration inspired by the spirit of competition.
At a Glance
- Lacoste and Alpine launch an exclusive collaborative project
- One-off ‘Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye’ revealed
- Based on the all-electric Alpine A290 Rallye customer competition car
- Limited capsule clothing collection accompanies the vehicle
- Campaign fronted by Pierre Gasly and Pierre Niney
French Performance Meets French Style
Lacoste and Alpine have joined forces to create a unique collaboration that celebrates two of France’s most recognisable performance brands. Drawing inspiration from the pioneering visions of René Lacoste and Jean Rédélé, the partnership blends motorsport engineering with sporting elegance through an exclusive rally car and premium lifestyle collection.
The collaboration extends beyond product design with The Test, a short film produced by Ninety Films, co-founded by actor Pierre Niney. The film stars Niney alongside BWT Alpine Formula One Team driver Pierre Gasly, with both serving as ambassadors for Lacoste. Featuring the bespoke rally car, the production combines humour, competition and precision while reinforcing the shared values of innovation and performance.
Alpine A290 Rallye Receives Bespoke Lacoste Transformation
At the heart of the collaboration is the ‘Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye’, a one-off concept based on Alpine’s customer racing A290 Rallye.
Rather than simply applying cosmetic styling changes, Alpine and Lacoste selected the brand’s most competition-focused electric model as the foundation, creating a machine that reflects both technical capability and distinctive French design.
The A290 Rallye already represents Alpine’s commitment to electric motorsport, offering an agile, lightweight platform designed specifically for rally competition. The collaboration builds on those credentials while introducing a dramatic visual identity inspired by Lacoste’s famous crocodile emblem.
Rally-Bred Engineering
The one-off retains the A290 Rallye’s motorsport-focused engineering package, including:
- Competition-optimised chassis
- Rally-specific suspension
- Widened track for improved stability
- Functional aerodynamic package
- Carbon fibre components
- Reinforced braking system
- Dedicated electric powertrain calibration
- Performance-focused electronic management systems
The electric drivetrain delivers immediate torque response and rapid acceleration—attributes particularly valuable in competitive rally driving—while bespoke software ensures consistent performance under demanding conditions.
Exterior Inspired by the Crocodile
Visually, the car takes inspiration from one of Lacoste’s most recognisable design details—the vivid red tongue of its famous crocodile logo.
The rally car features widened arches, aggressive aerodynamic surfaces, exposed carbon fibre, a roof-mounted air intake, oversized rear spoiler and a prominent rear diffuser, creating an unmistakably competition-ready appearance.
Its specially developed bluish-white exterior finish references Alpine’s mountainous heritage, with textured metallic particles designed to evoke snow, ice and frost while enhancing the car’s technical character.
Subtle graphic elements throughout the bodywork reinterpret Lacoste’s branding, while revised lighting signatures pay tribute to the crocodile’s distinctive gaze.
An Interior Unlike Any Other
Inside, the collaboration becomes even more theatrical.
The entire cabin adopts an immersive monochromatic red theme, intended to place the driver “inside the crocodile’s mouth”. Alpine describes the driver as becoming the “Crocopilot“, pursuing the perfect racing line while a crocodile graphic hidden within the cabin appears to chase the clock.
Lacoste’s signature petit piqué fabric trims the seats and door panels, while the famous embroidered crocodile logos have been produced by Potencier, the long-standing workshop responsible for manufacturing the brand’s iconic polo shirt emblems.
Additional highlights include:
- Red anodised structural components
- Bespoke Alpine x Lacoste branding
- 3D-printed rally seat components produced by ERPRO
- Lightweight lattice structures for improved comfort and reduced weight
- A total of 290 hidden crocodile motifs integrated throughout the vehicle
The extensive use of additive manufacturing supports both brands’ shared philosophy that intelligent lightweight engineering delivers improved performance.
Capsule Collection Brings Motorsport Style to Everyday Wear
Complementing the rally car is an exclusive Lacoste x Alpine capsule collection inspired by both the racing circuit and the tennis court.
The range includes:
- Polo shirts
- Technical T-shirts
- Lightweight performance apparel
- Accessories
- Co-branded lifestyle pieces
Designed with movement in mind, the collection combines technical functionality with premium French styling while reflecting the shared values of precision, elegance, innovation and performance.
Executive Commentary
Eric Vallat, CEO of Lacoste, said the partnership reflects the common philosophy that has defined both companies since their creation.
He explained that the collaboration celebrates French ingenuity by combining heritage, technical expertise and creativity through a shared vision of performance and elegance.
Antony Villain, Vice President of Design at Alpine, added that the A290 Rallye represents the meeting of two brands united by a passion for movement, precision and bold design.
He said the collaboration demonstrates that true performance extends beyond outright speed, combining motorsport engineering with timeless design and unmistakable French style.
Motoring Echo Premium Insight
This collaboration goes well beyond a traditional automotive branding exercise. By selecting the customer competition-specification A290 Rallye rather than a road-going model, Alpine has underlined its commitment to electric motorsport while allowing Lacoste to reinterpret one of France’s most recognisable sporting symbols in an entirely new setting.
The project also reflects a growing trend among premium automotive manufacturers to create genuine lifestyle partnerships that resonate beyond the showroom, blending fashion, technology and performance into a single brand experience.
Whether the striking ‘Beware of the Crocodile’ concept remains a one-off or inspires future production models, it successfully showcases the creativity that can emerge when two iconic French brands share the same design philosophy.
