- Alpine and Lacoste built a one-off A290 Rallye concept.
- The ducktail spoiler doubles as a pool of red water.
- Hundreds of tiny crocodiles cover the dashboard inside.
Two of France’s most recognizable names, Alpine and Lacoste, have come together for a clothing line and a one-off build of the electric A290 Rallye hot hatch that, although highly unlikely, we’d very much like to see reach production.
Read: Alpine’s New A290 Rallye Throws Mud And Sparks At $70K
The build carries the full name ‘Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye’, and it takes its color cue from the bright red of the crocodile’s tongue on the Lacoste badge. The exterior is mostly white with red turning up only in flashes, while the cabin goes the opposite direction and drowns itself in red almost wall to wall.
Key changes include flared wheel arches, a revised front bumper with red accents on the covered headlights and DRLs, and plenty of forged carbon fiber. The hot hatch also rides on a set of classic aero-disc-inspired rally wheels finished in white. As with the standard A290 Rallye, a roof scoop makes the cut too.
The rear is the most striking area. The rear window is gone, and in its place sits a large red crocodile head that appears partly submerged in red water, which is in fact just the car’s red-painted ducktail spoiler.
A Cabin To Match
Alpine and Lacoste have then transformed the EV’s cabin. Hundreds of little crocodiles are spread across the dashboard while Lacoste’s petit piqué red fabric adorns the racing seats and door panels. Intricate embroidery has been completed by the same firm that produces the embroidered crocodiles on Lacoste’s polo shirts, and 3D printing has also been used to shed unnecessary weight from the seats.
Not only have the firms collaborated on this special A290, but Lacoste ambassador Pierre Niney and Alpine F1 driver Pierre Gasly are also the stars of a short commercial released to promote the partnership. In addition, the French firms are launching a collection of polo shirts, T-shirts, accessories, and other pieces.