Not Clogs, but Crocodiles
Let's clear the air right away: the car in question isn't adorned with polarizing foam shoes. The confusion is understandable, but the real story involves a different kind of croc. This is the Alpine A290 Rallye, a one-of-a-kind art car created in partnership
with fellow French icon, Lacoste. Dubbed "Beware of the Crocodile," this electric hot hatch is a celebration of Lacoste's famous reptilian logo. Revealed in early July 2026, the project is a bold and playful union of high-performance motorsport engineering and timeless fashion. Instead of Jibbitz, this car features the unmistakable silhouette of one of the world's most recognized brand mascots, transforming the vehicle into a rolling tribute to French style and audacity.
A Design with Serious Bite
The collaboration is anything but subtle. The exterior of the A290 Rallye is finished in a matte bluish-white paint, designed to evoke the snow and ice of the Alps. This cool canvas is then decorated with exactly 290 crocodile motifs scattered across the car. The most striking feature is on the hood, where three crocodiles are depicted swimming in a pool of bright red resin. The theme continues with a large, translucent crocodile that appears to be crawling onto the rear spoiler. The car's aggressive rally-inspired look is enhanced with redesigned bumpers made from forged carbon fiber, clean white aerodisc wheels, and unique rally lights that swap the standard X-shape for dueling Alpine and Lacoste logos.
Step Inside the Crocodile's Mouth
If the outside is a playful nod, the inside is a full-blown immersive experience. The entire cabin—from the dashboard and doors to the racing seats—is drenched in a vibrant, monochrome red. Alpine's designers stated their goal was to make the driver feel as if they were "literally stepping into the crocodile's mouth." This is not your typical luxury interior. The racing bucket seats feature 3D-printed latticework, while the seat pads and door panels are upholstered in the same iconic petit piqué fabric used for Lacoste's polo shirts. The only break in the sea of crimson is a single green stripe at the 12 o'clock position on the steering wheel, a small tribute to Lacoste's signature brand color.
Two French Icons, One Vision
While the result is whimsical, the collaboration is rooted in a shared history of innovation and performance. The project celebrates the pioneering spirits of both Jean Rédélé, who founded Alpine in 1955 with a focus on lightweight, agile sports cars, and René Lacoste, the tennis champion who turned his on-court nickname, "The Crocodile," into a global fashion empire. Both brands embody a certain French flair for combining technical precision with effortless style. Antony Villain, Alpine's Vice President of Design, noted that the project celebrates a form of performance that goes beyond pure speed, blending technicality, lightness, and elegance. The car also launched alongside a capsule collection of co-branded apparel, solidifying the connection between the two worlds.
The Art of the Unexpected Collab
This partnership is part of a growing trend of surprising brand crossovers designed to generate buzz and connect with new audiences. Alpine itself is no stranger to the fashion world, having previously partnered with brands like Palace and A$AP Rocky. Ironically, the Crocs shoe brand—the source of the initial confusion—has become a master of the unexpected collaboration itself, partnering with everyone from luxury house Balenciaga to the Disney Pixar movie franchise 'Cars'. These mashups prove that in today's culture, brands are increasingly willing to step outside their comfort zones. The Alpine x Lacoste project is a perfect example: a witty, self-aware creation that doesn't take itself too seriously, reminding everyone that car culture can still be fun.
