2023 CUPRA News You Need to Know

CUPRA recently revealed its latest milestone at the Exponential Impulse event in Berlin, just before the Formula E weekend. To celebrate the brand’s fifth anniversary, they unveiled their stunning all-electric SUV coupé, the CUPRA Tavascan, which is set to debut in 2024.

Additional news came that the CUPRA metaverse, Metahype, was also launched alongside a virtual sports car – DarkRebel. The phenomena of the DarkRebel will be designed for a future city which will no longer be contained by physical limits and can be configured by the CUPRA tribe.

Premier of the CUPRA Tavascan

The Exponential Impulse event showcased the CUPRA Tavascan, a notable release as the brand’s first all-electric SUV coupé and second fully electric model after the CUPRA Born. The Tavascan represents CUPRA’s electrified vision and is consistent with the 2019 concept car, demonstrating that it’s a vehicle that drives innovation rather than being a reaction to it.

Wayne Griffiths, CEO of CUPRA, said:

CUPRA is still a young brand. And yet, in just five years we have hit one record after another at a remarkable pace, thanks to our drive and determination. Since the launch of the brand, CUPRA has sold over 300,000 cars and is the fastest-growing brand in Europe. The brand achieved record sales in Q1 2023 with over 46,500 cars sold, driving the profitability of SEAT. Back when we presented the Tavascan concept at the IAA in Frankfurt in 2019, it was our dream car – a manifesto for everything we wanted CUPRA to become. Since then, we’ve kept believing that if we dream it, we can create it. Well, today, that dream comes true.

The CUPRA Tavascan boasts a fresh, bold design, with a sporty and agile exterior. The matrix LED headlights with the iconic three-triangle “eye” emblem make for easy identification from the front. The interior is equally impressive, with a unique architectural style, featuring a charismatic central spine complemented by sleek, almost invisible, air vents.

Additionally, the Tavascan is designed to provide an exhilarating and emotional driving experience. Boasting state-of-the-art DCC Sport dynamic chassis technology, sport suspension, and progressive steering, this SUV handles like a dream. Plus, it comes equipped with 21” forged alloy wheels and performance tyres, adding to its sporty charm.

It also comes as the brand’s first all-electric SUV coupé, built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform. The CUPRA Tavascan VZ offers two power outputs – 286PS (210kW) and 340PS (250kW) – with the higher power output version featuring dual-motor all-wheel drive for maximum traction and impressive performance. Set to give drivers a thrilling experience, it is capable of reaching 31mph in just 2.4 seconds and achieving 0 to 62mph in only 5.6 seconds.

Furthermore, the CUPRA Tavascan boasts an impressive range of approximately 341 miles with its 77kWh net capacity battery pack. Plus, you can add an extra 62 miles in just seven minutes. Charging is also a breeze with a 135kW charging point, taking only 30 minutes to reach 80% from 10%.

Boasting a huge 15″ infotainment system and a sleek new Human Machine Interface (HMI), it’s CUPRA’s most advanced model yet. And that’s not all – the Tavascan is the first CUPRA to feature a premium 12-speaker sound system co-developed with industry leader, Sennheiser. The manufacturer has prepared drivers to get ready for an unparalleled driving and audio experience.

DarkRebel: What You Need to Know

Introduced at the Exponential Impulse event was also the CUPRA DarkRebel – a vehicle that embodies CUPRA’s DNA to the fullest extent. This car goes beyond mere speculation and instead dares to challenge conventional thinking by showcasing how design is a conversation, rather than just a methodical process. It truly captures the essence of CUPRA’s vision.

The DarkRebel is a masterpiece of sleek and sporty design with a unique and attractive shooting brake body style that sets it apart from other cars. It’s dynamic lines and athletic proportions contribute to its bold and compelling presence on the road.

CUPRA breaks free from material constraints and takes design into the intangible, stimulating the senses and unleashing creativity like never before. To empower the CUPRA tribe, a Hyper Configurator has been created, allowing the imagination to soar beyond physical limitations. With this tool, you can craft your own unique version of the show car and even influence its final physical design.

Talking about the phenomena, Jorge Diez, Director of Design CUPRA:

We have created an entirely new way of collaborating and developing the future of our sports cars. We are inviting everyone to create their own version of the CUPRA DarkRebel and influence the final design of the car. It is entirely CUPRA style, a complete challenge of the norm.

CUPRA Metahype:

The Metaverse is an emerging digital landscape and for those who aren’t aware of what the platform is, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered here.

It is a shared virtual world where people can interact with each other, explore new ideas and experiences, and create content. It is the ultimate fusion of reality and virtuality—a place where physical boundaries dissolve into a single connected universe. The Metaverse will enable us to experience things that are not possible in the real world, such as exploring fantastical places or engaging in immersive social interactions. It will also provide new ways for businesses to engage customers, providing them with unique experiences tailored to their needs. From gaming to education to commerce, the possibilities are endless!

CUPRA announced in 2022 that the Metahype would be coming and has officially launched. This is an ever-expanding virtual island where brands, creators and communities get together to socialise, collaborate, create and live emotional experiences.

Five unique spaces make up the CUPRA Metahype District and Experiences:

1. CUPRA Plaza: the meeting point for the CUPRA Tribe to connect and socialise
2. CUPRA Racing: a place to live the brand’s racing DNA with gamified racing where users driving skills will be challenged in three different games
3. CUPRA Metahype City Garage: a place to discover and explore CUPRA’s models, meet CUPRA masters and experience the latest CUPRA Tavascan
4. CUPRA Hub: the space to showcase CUPRA beyond the automotive world – browse the CUPRA Collection Boutique, or take part in Dancing Challenges curated by Primavera Sound
5. CUPRA Next: where the users can influence the future design of the CUPRA DarkRebel

The platform is all about collaboration, and Primavera Sound is one of the first brands to join Metahype at its start. Expect exclusive access to music-related content and a cutting-edge DJ academy designed to inspire the next generation of music enthusiasts. Keep an eye out for more exciting partnerships on the horizon!

---

In conclusion, the CUPRA brand has once again proven its commitment to innovation and sustainability with the unveiling of its latest models, the Tavascan and DarkRebel, as well as its innovative platform Metahype. The vehicles not only offer cutting-edge technology and performance but also prioritise environmental consciousness and efficiency.