Some collaborations feel like a marketing ploy. Others make a surprising amount of sense at first glance. The new partnership between Alpine and Lacoste clearly falls into the second category.

After all, there is much more than just their French roots that connects the two brands. Neither René Lacoste nor Alpine founder Jean Rédélé ever wanted to simply win. Their goal was to combine performance with ease, technical sophistication, and a healthy dose of style. It is precisely this shared vision that has now culminated in a collaboration consisting of a spectacular one-of-a-kind piece and a matching clothing collection.

The spotlight is on the “Beware of the Crocodile” Alpine Lacoste A290 Rally. An uncompromising, one–of–a–kind rally car that demonstrates just how well motorsports and fashion can go together. It’s based on the new Alpine A290 Rally, the most radical version of the electric hot hatch.

This one isn’t just a show car!

It is based on genuine motorsport technology and was developed for customer racing. A wider track, a specially tuned rally suspension, more powerful brakes, functional aerodynamics, and a powertrain designed for maximum responsiveness form the technical foundation.

Visually, this one-of-a-kind vehicle also makes a bold statement. The most striking detail comes straight from Lacoste’s DNA. The bold red of the famous crocodile tongue runs through the entire vehicle as a central design element. This is complemented by a paint job in a cool white shade reminiscent of snow, ice, and alpine landscapes. Exposed carbon fiber, striking fenders, a roof scoop, a massive rear spoiler, and a powerful diffuser leave no doubt that this A290 wants to be one thing above all else: a true rally car.

The theme is consistently carried through into the interior as well. The driver and front-seat passenger are immersed in an all-red environment that, according to the designers, is meant to represent the inside of a crocodile’s mouth. It sounds unusual, but it looks surprisingly cohesive. The seats and door panels are upholstered in Lacoste’s signature Petit Piqué fabric. The embroidery even comes from the same workshop that has been producing the legendary crocodile logos for the polo shirts for decades.

The many hidden details are especially charming. A total of exactly 290 crocodiles have been scattered throughout the vehicle—some obvious, others well hidden. It’s a little scavenger hunt for anyone who looks closely.

To complement the vehicle, Alpine and Lacoste are also launching a joint collection. Polo shirts, T-shirts, performance apparel, and accessories bridge the worlds of the tennis court and the racetrack. The collection focuses on sporty elegance, functional materials, and a clean design language that makes both brands instantly recognizable.

The collaboration is accompanied by the short film “The Test,” which portrays the project with a healthy dose of self–deprecating humor. The film features actor Pierre Niney and Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly, who play themselves and cross paths during the extraordinary A290 Rally. Of course, the Alpine Lacoste A290 Rally is first and foremost a brand ambassador. That’s exactly why it works so well. Instead of simply adding a few logos to an existing production model, both brands have created a vehicle that conveys the identity of both companies down to the last detail.

This collaboration is a tribute to French ingenuity, to motorsports, and to the realization that performance sometimes looks its best when a little green crocodile gets in on the action.