Cupra Tindaya is a concept SUV with real future tech 

Cupra’s new Tindaya concept car may lead to its biggest and baddest SUV yet. The futuristic range-extender (REx) drivetrain gives it more range (1300km) than its existing EVs.

And with a motor driving each axle its 365kW of system power means it hustles to a hundred in 4sec. That’s despite being Cupra’s biggest vehicle yet, at 4.72m long. In profile, it is a cross between a fastback and a shooting brake.

This may even make production, toned down somewhat, as the successor to today’s Formentor. Its makers say they built it to display future design and technology that will find its way into future Cupras.

Read our review of the Cupra Terramar VZ.

If it does go ahead, it will use the SSP platform that underpins the next Golf and Octavia. Expect either pure electric power or a range extender system, where a petrol engine is used exclusively to charge a battery pack.

The Tindaya REx’s drivetrain uses an electric motor on each axle for a system total of 365kW. Its battery pack – size not specified – is big enough to give it an EV range of 300km. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine boosts range by 1000km, simply by topping up the battery on the go.

As to the origins of this powertrain, Volkswagen-owned SUV brand Scout will offer its electric 4x4s with the option of a range extender powertrain. And it’s this that Cupra may source from Volkswagen’s Mexico factory.

While there are no concrete plans as yet to use this powertrain in a future Cupra, the VW Group indicates wavering uptake of pure-EVs in Europe could create a ready market for REx alternatives.

Meantime, the ‘emotional’ styling is something that Cupra intends to make good use of. It’s designer said he wanted the machine to seem alive and make a connection with its driver. 

Several design elements are said to humanise the vehicle, give it the sense of breathing. On the outside its ‘muscles’ appear to ripple.

BComp, a natural fibre-based composite, is used to mark out the ‘blister’ motif running around the rear arches. Different materials and colours are used to minimise Tindaya’s proportions.

Inside are radical concepts that won’t make it to production but driver engagement is not negotiable. “No drivers, no Cupra” said its designer, Rodriguez Bosch. 

The cockpit is influenced by racing, with a yoke for a steering wheel and all four seats are carbon-tubbed buckets. A central spine divides the cabin in two. The floating seats are finished in eco-friendly materials. 

A 24-inch wraparound display lies at the base of the windscreen facing the driver while switches and buttons control core functions. Other aids include an advanced voice control system and a prism-shaped ‘jewel’ device that changes the interior settings and drive mode. Various modes are associated with different sounds but none resembles an engine. In Rider (Sport) mode, the speed is depicted on the windscreen. 

There’s no touchscreen because Cupra believes AI can serve the same purpose, performing much better than voice control. Hope so because VC ain’t that great.

“People driving this kind of car also want to have a nice driving experience, and this is where we think Cupra comes in,” Bosch said. “We see this as the evolution of the DarkRebel into a daily-use car.” It is also potentially an iX3 rival.

Tindaya, as you may recall, is named after a volcano on the Canary Islands.