The main highlight of the Exponential lmpulse event was the world premiere of the CUPRA Tavascan, the brand’s first all-electric SUV coupe, and its second fully electric model after the CUPRA Born. lt embodies CUPRA’s electrified vision and remains faithful to the 2019 concept car, proving that the Tavascan is nota response to change, but a vehicle that creates it.
“Back when we presented the Tavascan concept at the IAA in Frankfurt 2019, it was our dream car – a manifesto for everything we wanted CUPRA to become,” said Wayne Griffiths. “Since then, we’ve kept believing that if we dream it, we can create it. Well, today, that dream comes true.” The CUPRA Tavascan represents the impulse fora new striking design language: the exterior design delivers athletic and sporty proportions. From the front, the matrix LED with the three-triangle eye signature is instantly recognisable. The interior is a piece of architecture thanks to the characterful centrai spine together with the slim air vents – almost invisible. As an emotional and driving oriented SUV, the CUPRA Tavascan features DCC Sport dynamic chassis technology, sport suspension and progressive steering. These attributes. and the addition of performance tyres mounted on 21″ forged alloy wheels deliver a unique sporty driving experience.
Based on the Volkswagen Group’s NEB platform, the brand’s first all-electric SUV coupe will be available with two power outputs: 210kW (286PS) and 250kW (340PS); the higher power output version adds dual-motor all-wheel drive, delivering performance with maximum traction. The CUPRA Tavascan VZ can reach 50km/h in just 2.4seconds (O to lOOkm/h in just 5.6 seconds). lt also provides enough capacity fora range of around 550km thanks to the 77kWh net capacity battery pack. The CUPRA Tavascan can add an additional 100km of range in as little as 7 minutes. And when the battery drops to only 10% it can be replenished to 80% in just under half an hour using at least a 135kW charging point. The CUPRA Tavascan features a 15″ infotainment system – the largest so far in a CUPRA model – with a newly designed and developed Human Nachine lnterface (HNI). The CUPRA Tavascan also integrates for the first time ever a high-fidelity 12-speaker audio sound system developed in collaboration with premium audio firm Sennheiser. Designed and developed in Barcelona, the CUPRA Tavascan will be produced at the Volkswagen Group’s Anhui factory in China, a state-of-the-art innovation hub for e-mobility, and will be launched in 2024, with a yearly target of more than 70,000 cars sold.
CUPRA DarkRebel virtual sports car
The Exponential lmpulse event was also the platform chosen to unveil the CUPRA DarkRebel, a fully virtual sports car with unfiltered CUPRA DNA. The CUPRA DarkRebel brings CUPRA’s DNA to the maximum without any boundaries. lt is nota prediction, but rather a provocation, showing that design is a dialogue, nota process, the ultimate interpretation of our vision. The CUPRA DarkRebel is defined by its sharp lines and the athletic proportion of a sports car combined with a shooting break architecture. With the CUPRA DarkRebel, CUPRA goes beyond the constraints of materiality and expands the design into the intangible, intensifying the experience. The potential of the virtual world enhances creativity, boosts imagination, and amplifies the senses.
That’s why, CUPRA has createci a Hyper Configurator, where the CUPRA tribe can push their creativity without the limitations of the physical feasibility in the materiai world. CUPRA’s Hyper Configurator enables the CUPRA Tribe to create their very own versions of the show car and influence the final design of a physical model that will be presented in the near future. “We have createci an entirely new way of collaborating and developing the future of our sports cars,” said Jorge Diez, Director of Design CUPRA. “We are inviting everyone to create their own version of the CUPRA DarkRebel and influence in the final design of the car. lt is entirely CUPRA style, a complete challenge of the norm.” The CUPRA DarkRebel can be configured through the Netahype, the brand’s space in the metaverse.
Metahype
The Exponential lmpulse event was also the officiai launch of CUPRA’s Metahype, an ever-expanding virtual island where brands, creators and communities get together to socialize, collaborate, create, and live emotional experiences. After much anticipation following Metahype’s announcement last year, in Berlin CUPRA unveiled five unique spaces that make up the CUPRA Metahype District and Experiences:
- CUPRA Plaza: the meeting point for the CUPRA Tribe to connect and socialise
- CUPRA Racing: a piace to live the brand’s racing DNA with gamified racing games where users driving skills will be challenged in 2 different games
- CUPRA Metahype City Garage: a piace to discover and explore CUPRA’s models, meet CUPRA masters and experience the latest CUPRA Tavascan
- CUPRA Hub: the space where we showcase CUPRA beyond the automotive world -browse the CUPRA Collection Boutique, or take part in Dancing Challenges curateci by Primavera Sound
- CUPRA Next: where the users can influence the future design of the CUPRA DarkRebel
Metahype is all about collaboration and that’s why Primavera Sound is one of the first brands to join Metahype from the very beginning; more partners will follow soon. Primavera Sound will offer always-on music relateci content in the platform and a gamified DJ academy to impulse the New Generation of music lovers. Metahype will be accessible via desktop at Metahype.com and soon also available via Mobile.
The Exponential Experience
CUPRA also introduced the Exponential Experience, a unique racing concept merging the virtual and physical worlds. Designed mixing a combination of a virtual reality headset and the CUPRA UrbanRebel Racing concept, it is the first electric racing experience that lies beyond the limits of the physical world. “The CUPRA Exponential Experience brings to life something most drivers wouldn’t typically experience: the incredible feeling of driving an electric racing car. A unique racing concept merging the virtual and physical worlds. Allowing anyone to feel racing in a different way”, said Xavi Serra, Head of CUPRA Racing. CUPRA Racing ambassador Adrien Tambay explained the experience on stage, while Jordi Gené stepped into the CUPRA UrbanRebel Racing concept – which delivers up to 320kW at its peak – to showcase the experience wearing a high definition mixed reality headset, driving from Barcelona to Berlin in a dynamic, gamified virtual world.
CUPRA is the unconventional challenger brand that brings together emotion. electrification. and performance to inspire the world from Barcelona. Launched in 2018. CUPRA has its corporate headquarters and a racing car workshop in l’-1artorell (Barcelona), in addition to a global network of specialised points of sale. CUPRA proves that electrification and sportiness are a perfect match, and in 2022 the brand hit new heights with over 150.000 vehicles delivered. Each successive launch of a model has marked a new milestone in defining the brand’s character, with a challenging and originai design: the CUPRA Ateca. a unique model in its segment. the CUPRA Leon, its first electrified model thanks to a plug-in hybrid electric engine, the CUPRA Formentor, the first model to be developed exclusively by the brand, and the company’s best-selling vehicle to date; and the CUPRA Born. the brand’s first 100% electric vehicle,
CUPRA is FC Barcelona’s officiai automotive and mobility partner. the World Padel Tour’s premium sponsor and the officiai sponsor of the eSports Club Finetwork KOI. CUPRA is the only automotive brand that participates in the EXTREl’-1E E and Formula E racing competitions. The CUPRA Tribe is made up of a team of ambassadors who want to be the driving force of change. Among its members are Street Artist TV Boy, Olympic gold medalists Adam Peaty, 1′-1elvin Richardson and Saul Craviotto. the German goalkeeper l’-1arc ter Stegen, and two-time Ballon d’Or and Best FIFA Award-winning footballer Alexia Putellas. cupraofficial.it
