Nova Carbon’s recycled carbon fibre featured in the Alpine and Lacoste rally car

In a post on linkedIn, Nova Carbon – a French startup developing high-performance semi-finished products from carbon fibre waste – announced that the new all-electric car, the ‘Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye’, features components made from Nova Carbon’s recycled carbon fibre. This material has been incorporated into the front and rear bumpers, demonstrating its high performance. The carbon fibre finish is “a deep, iridescent black”, Nova Carbon states in its post, contrasting with the car’s “pure white bodywork” – a hallmark of Alpine. The materials manufacturer is delighted that the famous car brand has chosen to showcase its material rather than conceal it.

A material that combines high performance, lightness and circularity

The vehicle stands out for its lightness, achieved through a reduced number of parts and features such as exposed forged carbon fibre. While lightness is often an advantage in certain applications, it is essential for a rally car, as every kilogramme can make a difference in a race.

The exterior design of the ‘Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290’ rally car draws inspiration from rally cars, characterised by ‘a wider track, prominent wings and a spectacular diffuser’, which reflect its sporty character, says Alpine on its website.

The Lacoste brand is highlighted by its iconic crocodile logo, featured no fewer than 290 times across the car, embroidered by a French company! Also worth noting are the three crocodiles on the bonnet. The interior is red, like the iconic crocodile’s tongue. A joint logo bearing the names of both brands, Alpine and Lacoste, is also visible inside the car.

“This project reflects everything we believe in: innovation driven by industrial collaboration, technical excellence and the willingness to challenge conventional materials.
“Seeing Nova Carbon on such an iconic French vehicle is a major milestone for our company and another step towards making recycled carbon fibre a new industrial standard,” says Nova Carbon in its post.

This collaboration is showcased in “The Test”, a short film produced by Ninety Films – co-founded by Pierre Niney, a Lacoste ambassador – in which he stars alongside Pierre Gasly, a driver for the BWT Alpine Formula One Team and a Lacoste ambassador. Playing themselves, the two men perform a humorous scene showcasing the ‘Beware of the Crocodile – Alpine Lacoste A290 Rallye’ model.