Cupra DarkRebel revealed in the flesh with 3D-printed metal parts

The Cupra DarkRebel has officially been revealed in the flesh, with the real-life show car recently making its debut at the IAA Mobility 2023 show in Germany.

We first caught a glimpse of the Spanish carmaker’s sporty new concept four months ago when it was shown in digital form in the metaverse, where fans were asked to drum up their own version of the model.

After sifting through more than 270,000 different configurations, Cupra created what we see before us today.

The result is a fully electric two-seat sports car that features a shooting brake body style, clad in a “mercury-like” dark violet exterior colour with illuminated logos found front and rear.

Speaking of lighting, the front daytime running lights remain disguised behind the bodywork until they are turned on, a feature that Cupra says is a “dialogue between material and immaterial”.

Other features of its sharp design include a clear central spine that is said to resemble a sailboat keel, found at both the front and rear of the car, while a set of wheels inspired by Cupra’s race cars completes the overall look.

The interior is just as striking as the exterior, with the central spine theme continuing but this time made out of 3D-printed metal. Both the driver and passenger get a set of bucket seats with headrests covered in “3D knitting fabric”.

As for creature comforts, a thermal camera mounted to the roof monitors the temperature of the cabin and will adjust it accordingly via air vents called “gills” on the dashboard.

There’s no word on whether the Cupra DarkRebel show car will inform a future production model.