There’s a trend among automakers to adopt a minimalist design approach by reducing creases and sharp edges. Just look at the new BMW iX3, for example. But SEAT’s Cupra brand is heading in the opposite direction, considering sharp lines define its cars. The radically styled Tindaya concept showcases massively intricate bodywork on the largest vehicle the Spanish company has ever produced.
The striking show car stretches 185.8 inches (4.72 meters) in length and flaunts one of the boldest designs we’ve seen from the Volkswagen Group in recent years. No matter the viewing angle, there’s plenty to take in: from the shark nose that could make BMW proud to the split theme applied to the roof spoiler and rear diffuser. It rides on gargantuan 23-inch wheels that look like a nightmare to clean, given their numerous parallel spokes.
Photo by: Cupra
Inside, the 2+2 cabin with body-hugging individual seats continues the ultra-angular theme, divided by a full-length center console. Cupra chose a yoke instead of a conventional steering wheel and kept physical controls to a minimum. A curved 24-inch digital instrument cluster takes center stage, but there’s no infotainment touchscreen since Cupra says the concept is all about driving.
Although primarily an EV, the Tindaya concept has been envisioned with a gasoline engine serving as a range extender. That’s not all too surprising, considering the VW Group’s upcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) will support this type of drivetrain. As such, the concept isn’t built on the MEB or PPE platforms used by the Group’s current electric vehicles.
The battery pack provides a range of 186 miles (300 kilometers), which falls short of 2025 EV standards. However, with the 1.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, total range climbs to 620 miles (1,000 kilometers). Dual motors, one on each axle, deliver a combined 489 horsepower, enabling a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 4.1 seconds, making it the quickest Cupra ever.
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Source: Cupra
Rather than serving as a direct preview of a future model, the Tindaya is most likely a glimpse of what’s ahead in both design language and range-extending technology. Unsurprisingly, the SUV format takes center stage, but to Cupra’s credit, it’s trying to think outside the box and come up with unconventional designs.
But even if a production version eventually arrives, it won’t be heading to the United States. Cupra recently postponed its North American debut to beyond 2030, citing “ongoing challenges within the automotive industry and evolving market dynamics.”
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