The Cupra DarkRebel. Photography: Cupra
On the occasion of the Volkswagen Group Night, Cupra has lifted the veil on the highly anticipated DarkRebel concept. A model imagined virtually by the fans, which perfectly transcribes the DNA of the brand. Cupra wants to prove that it is possible to manufacture electric cars “ sporty, sexy and emotional ».
The DarkRebel was virtually designed by the Cupra Tribe
Cupra wanted to develop a concept that pushes the limits of design and performance and “ question how cars will be made and created in the future “. Indeed, to imagine this model, the brand called on its community: the “ Cupra Tribe “. The Cupra DarkRebel was designed entirely in Cupra’s virtual space by fans of the brand and perhaps future buyers.
In all, more than 270,000 configurations were made by Internet users before arriving at this final version. It’s a small revolution in the automotive world. The manufacturer has made the strong choice to involve its community, and this could well be a game-changer. Some stars also participated in the development of the concept: players from FC Barcelona, or the actor Daniel Brühl.
The DarkRebel is therefore moving from the virtual world to the real world with its official presentation at the IAA Munich 2023 from September 4 to 10. Wayne Griffiths, the boss of Cupra, specifies that “ this vehicle was born from the passion and creativity of the members of the Cupra Tribe. The Cupra DarkRebel represents provocation ultimate brand design “. We really feel this spirit of rupture that Cupra wants to transmit.
The Cupra DarkRebel concept. Photography: Cupra
Breathtaking design
This enigmatic color is particularly successful. Cupra describes her as “ liquid mercury “. The brand wanted to play on a crystalline, almost transparent effect, so that the light could sublimate the concept. According to the company, the fluid character of dark purple tones evolves and varies depending on the angle of ambient light on the vehicle body ».
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With its 4.5 meters long, 2.2 meters wide and 1.3 meters high, the Cupra DarkRebel is literally glued to the ground. Its particularly muscular shoulders give it this very sporty aspect, dear to the brand. A long hood and a lower interior for a model centered on the driver. On board, we discover a radical, raw universe turned towards new technologies.
The headrests of the bucket seats are covered with a 3D knitted fabric. As you can see in this photo, the steering wheel of the DarkRebel is a highlight. According to the brand, it combines “ the geometries of the racing world and the interactivity of the video game world “. Visually, we imagine a grip seems very pleasant. What feel the power of the vehicle.
The Cupra DarkRebel concept. Photography: Cupra
The user experience at the heart of the project
For Jorge Diez, design director at Cupra, “ the DarkRebel is designed to enter a new dimension in which desire, emotion and the overcoming of limits are our obsession “. Technological performance is also there. Cupra has integrated a thermal camera into the roof to ” monitor the state of the cabin to adjust the temperature automatically.
The brand’s new concept offers three different experience possibilities to its drivers: Exponentiel Square, Exponentiel Cube and Exponentiel Infinite. Square mode deploys a digital cockpit with a 3D avatar to “ humanize the experience “. Cube mode offers an electrifying atmosphere inspired by racing cars and the world of video games.
Finally, the Inifinte mode is the one that highlights the vehicle’s connected mobility features. While charging, drivers will be able to venture onto Metahype, a metaverse created to interact with other members of the Tribu Cupra community. Three experiences accessible directly from the steering wheel of the DarkRebel.
