Cupra debuts Tindaya show car at IAA Munich, a high-riding electric crossover with range-extender option

Cupra unveiled the Tindaya show car at the IAA German Mobility Show in Munich, presenting a high-riding electric crossover that the brand says signals the direction of future models. The concept blends fastback and beach-buggy cues with a pronounced shark-nose front, muscular surfaces and aerodynamic flanks intended to channel airflow into side intakes.

Stretched to 4.72 metres in length and riding on 23-inch wheels, the Tindaya emphasises a one-third cabin to two-thirds body proportion and a raised ground clearance that gives it an upright, forward-leaning stance. Cupra described the exterior finish as a matte colour shift that moves from deep metallic grey to a soft beige with translucent copper flecks, a reference the company said was inspired by the volcanic rock of Tindaya on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

Cupra displayed the Tindaya as a radical design statement built on a platform that can accept either a battery-only electric powertrain or a range-extender hybrid. The demonstration vehicle at the show is the latter: a petrol-electric range extender that pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine under the bonnet with two electric motors, one at the front and one at the rear, producing a combined 489 brake horsepower. Cupra said the Tindaya is a full-time four-wheel-drive vehicle capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds.

The company said the range-extender configuration delivers a combined driving range of about 621 miles without refuelling or recharging. Cupra did not disclose official electric-only range figures for the show car.

Interior design mixes motorsport cues and luxury references, according to Cupra. The cabin is laid out in a 2+2 configuration with opposing saloon-style rear doors and bucket seats described by the company as a modern reinterpretation of the Eames Lounge. Materials include vegan leather and a waxed bronze microfibre covering, with elements produced in 3D-printed aluminium. The dashboard is dominated by a 24-inch central display complemented by a secondary monitor that projects secondary content and information toward the base of the windshield. A yoke-style steering control is used to keep key visuals and shortcuts in view.

Cupra highlighted digital and sonic features designed to enhance the driving experience. A control device the company calls "the Jewel" manages three selectable driving modes as well as vehicle lighting and an audio system developed in collaboration with Sennheiser. Ambient lighting and green-oriented interior materials are intended to underscore the brand’s sustainability messaging.

Markus Haupt, Cupra’s interim chief executive, described the Tindaya Showcar as "more than a car – it’s a radical statement and a bold expression of our design language, our values, and our innovations." The model was presented as a showcar intended to preview elements of the brand’s future design and technology direction rather than as a production-ready vehicle with confirmed specifications or launch timing.

Cupra was spun off from SEAT in 2018 and has expanded its lineup since then; the company said it has launched seven models and sold more than 800,000 vehicles globally in the intervening years. The Tindaya’s demonstration of a hybrid range-extender architecture comes as the Volkswagen Group, Cupra’s parent company, explores diversified electric and hybrid technologies, including investments in range-extender solutions aimed at extending practical driving distances without increasing charging infrastructure demands.

At the IAA show, manufacturers used concept vehicles to communicate styling, packaging and technology directions as they adapt to changing customer expectations and regulatory requirements for electrification. Cupra positioned the Tindaya as a performance-oriented, touring-capable crossover that blends design theatrics with engineering flexibility; the company has not released pricing, production timelines or final technical specifications for a road-going version.

The Tindaya follows a trend among automakers to present hybridised or dual-architecture concepts that allow brands to bridge current combustion infrastructure and future battery-electric vehicle rollouts. Cupra’s emphasis on bespoke materials, 3D-printed details and collaboration with audio specialists reflects a broader industry focus on experiential cabin features as differentiation points in the EV and crossover market.

Further information from Cupra on production plans, final range and performance figures, and market availability is expected to follow as the brand refines the Tindaya concept into potential series models.