French automaker Alpine and the apparel house Lacoste have come together to create a unique, one-off version of the Alpine A290 Rallye, named Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye. The bespoke car marries Alpine’s rally-focused engineering with Lacoste’s distinctive style. Inside, the rally seats incorporate 3D‑printed components produced by ERPRO, marking the second documented collaboration between Alpine and the French additive manufacturing specialist over the 2025–2026 period.
Built on the A290 Rallye platform—the most performance-oriented variant of Alpine’s A290 and the chassis used for customer racing—this one-off emphasizes lightweight construction and competition-ready dynamics. The chassis benefits from increased rigidity, rally-specific suspension tuning, widened track dimensions for improved grip, and aerodynamic refinements focused on cooling and generating downforce. Its electric powertrain has been calibrated to provide immediate torque delivery, a characteristic Alpine highlights as advantageous for the rapid response and variable traction conditions typical of rallying.
Lacoste’s design influence is most evident in the cabin, where a red-dominated palette references the crocodile logo’s tongue. Seats and door panels are trimmed in petit piqué fabric, with detailed embroidery executed by specialist workshops to ensure a refined, tactile finish that complements the car’s sporting intent.
Lattice Structures for Weight and Comfort
A notable technical feature of the interior is the use of 3D printing to create lattice-style structures within the rally seats. ERPRO produced seat components that use internal lattice geometries—an interconnected network of struts designed to carry load efficiently while minimizing material usage. This approach enables parts that are simultaneously lightweight, comfortable and structurally capable, addressing a balance that is typically difficult to achieve with traditional molded foams or machined structures. By tailoring the lattice geometry, engineers can tune stiffness, energy absorption and localized comfort zones to suit rally demands.
Reducing weight is a clear performance lever in rally competition: every kilogram influences acceleration, handling and energy consumption in electric vehicles. Alpine positions these 3D‑printed seat components as part of a comprehensive weight-saving program across the one-off build, rather than merely a stylistic accent. The result is a cabin that contributes to the car’s overall performance envelope while maintaining occupant comfort and safety.
Alpine’s Second Collaboration with ERPRO in 2025–2026
This project follows an earlier collaboration between Alpine and ERPRO in March 2025, when ERPRO 3D printed headrests for the Alpine A390_β show car using a bio-based elastomer. That earlier effort demonstrated how additive manufacturing can deliver components that are lightweight, breathable and capable of providing shock absorption. Other partners on past projects included composite specialists who supplied molded carbon elements and photovoltaic-integrated floor panels, underscoring Alpine’s broader interest in advanced materials and low-volume production techniques.
The repeat collaboration with ERPRO suggests that Alpine increasingly views 3D printing as a practical and reliable option for producing functional interior parts on concept cars and limited-run vehicles. Rather than treating additive manufacturing as a one-off demonstrator, Alpine appears to be integrating it into its toolkit for bespoke and performance-oriented applications where tailored geometry and rapid iteration offer clear benefits.
Antony Villain, VP Design at Alpine, summarized the partnership as a fusion of competition-focused technicality, lightweight design principles and a timeless sense of style—an approach that aims to respect both performance requirements and refined aesthetics.
*All Photo Credits: Alpine Cars