The all-new Cupra Tindaya concept unwrapped at the Munich motor show last week has been revealed as two concepts-in-one.
Firstly, the mid-size SUV is tipped to be a potential successor to the brand’s current best-selling Formentor.
Delve deeper into the radical mid-size SUV and the Cupra also reveals the Volkswagen Group’s future all-new range-extender (REEV) powertrain.
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It is being built to be combined with its state-of-the-art Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) that will also underpin the Mk9 Golf.
Originally, it was thought the SSP platform that replaces both the current MEB and PPE architecture that’s used for the Porsche Macan would be EV only.
But it’s now thought the availability of the REEV powertrain option will boost the group’s products in China, while helping the German car-making giant protect itself against slowing EV sales globally.
Reported to measure in at 4.72 metres long, the new Tindaya stretches past the Formentor (4.51m).
It’s also quicker than the fastest five-cylinder Formentor VZ5 version sold in Europe, with a 0-100km/h dash of just 4.1 seconds – 0.1 seconds quicker than the flagship Cupra SUV.
To unleash that level of performance the new Cupra comes with dual motors, all-wheel drive and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
Combined with a battery of unknown capacity, it also provides for an EV range of around 300km.
With a full tank of fuel, the Tindaya’s total range rises to more than 1000km.
Cupra has yet to confirm reports the new REEV might have been created alongside a similar range-extender hybrid that is currently in development for the new Scout ute and SUV that has been developed for North America.
To create its striking shape, Cupra used plentiful lightweight BComp composite that is a more sustainable alternative to carbon-fibre.
Rear-hinged doors and the full-length centre console, inside the car will be dropped for production, but are claimed to be hints that Cupra won’t play it safe when it comes to the production version of the Tindaya’s cabin.
Named after a volcanic mountain in Spain’s Canary Islands, the 2+2 cabin also features ‘floating’ bucket seats wrapped in bio-attributed faux leather made from plant material.
A motorsport yoke-style steering wheel and larger 24-inch digital display could both make it to future Cupra cabins.
Helping select driving modes is a new Jewel glass prism controller, that also tweaks the ambient lighting and could operate a whole variety of other functions.
There’s no word when the new production version of the Cupra Tindaya will land.
But considering the Formentor was launched back in 2020, it would make sense for an arrival of around 2027 or 2028 for the Spanish brand’s next-generation mid-size SUV.
