Alpine and Lacoste Use 3D-Printed Lattice Seats on A290 Rallye

French automaker Alpine and clothing brand Lacoste have revealed a unique version of the Alpine A290 Rallye, named “Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye.” Inside, the rally seats incorporate components produced by ERPRO using 3D printing, marking the second known collaboration this year between Alpine and the French additive manufacturing specialist.

This one-off car is based on the A290 Rallye, Alpine’s most performance-oriented A290 variant and the platform used for customer competition entries. The vehicle is built around a chassis optimized for stiffness, fitted with rally-specific suspension, widened tracks to improve grip, and aerodynamic work focused on thermal management and managing lift. The electric powertrain is tuned to deliver immediate torque, a capability Alpine highlights as particularly advantageous in rally situations where instantaneous response is critical.

Lacoste’s contribution centers on an interior dominated by a vivid red—inspired by the crocodile logo’s tongue—and on the use of the brand’s “petit piqué” fabric for the seats and door panels, embroidered by atelier Potencier.

Lattice structures to cut weight and improve comfort

Within the cabin, the rally seats incorporate parts printed by ERPRO through additive manufacturing. Alpine explains that this technology enables the creation of lattice structures whose internal geometries reduce material usage while distributing loads across a network of interconnected struts. At the seat-component level, these lattices combine lightness with tailored cushioning and structural performance—characteristics that are harder to reconcile with traditional molded foam or machined parts.

Weight reduction is a direct performance factor in rallying: every kilogram affects acceleration, handling and the energy consumption of an electric vehicle. Alpine positions the 3D-printed seat components as part of a broader effort to shave mass from this one-off model rather than as an isolated design choice. Using additive manufacturing for low-volume, functional interior parts allows rapid iteration of form, fine-tuning of mechanical behavior and the possibility to integrate features that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.

Second Alpine–ERPRO collaboration in 2025–2026

This is not Alpine’s first engagement with ERPRO’s additive capabilities. In March 2025, Alpine teamed up with the same partner on the Alpine A390_β prototype; for that project ERPRO 3D-printed headrests using a bio-based elastomer (Rebax Rnew from Arkema), chosen for its lightweight, breathable and shock-absorbing properties. Lavoisier Composites also took part in the A390_β project, producing the vehicle’s floor panels in compression-molded carbon combined with photovoltaic silicon.

This new joint effort indicates that Alpine is increasingly viewing 3D printing as a practical manufacturing option for low-volume, functional interior parts in concept cars and limited-run models, rather than as a one-off technical showcase. Additive manufacturing offers design freedom to create complex internal geometries, tailor mechanical performance at the component level, and reduce part counts by integrating functions—a compelling set of advantages for niche, performance-focused vehicles.

Antony Villain, Alpine’s vice president of design, described the collaboration on the A290 Rallye as bringing together “the technicality of competition, the lightness of design and the elegance of an enduring style.” This partnership blends Alpine’s motorsport expertise with Lacoste’s heritage aesthetic and ERPRO’s additive know-how to produce a distinct, performance-oriented interior that still communicates a strong brand identity.

What do you think of this collaboration? Share your thoughts in the article comments. If you follow developments in 3D printing for transport and automotive applications, look out for more updates from manufacturers and additive suppliers—this area is evolving quickly as brands explore lightweighting, customization and performance improvements.

*Photo credits: Alpine Cars

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