Cupra Tavascan
Cupra’s vision of reinvented sportiness in all-electric form took the top prize in the ‘Concept’ category of the international competition, which is judged by a panel of experts with backgrounds in media, design and communications, along with those from universities The Automotive Brand Contest win marks the third time the SEAT sub-brand has won the category after the Cupra e-Racer was named the winner in the same category in 2018, followed by the Cupra Formentor Concept in 2019.
SEAT performance offshoot, Cupra, continues its success in the Automotive Brand Contest, claiming first place in the international design competition’s ‘Concept’ category for the Cupra Tavascan Electric Concept.
Cupra has already achieved success in the competition with wins for the Cupra e-Racer Concept in 2018 and the Cupra Formentor Concept last year.
The Tavascan Concept’s design team says the vehicle provides a unique vision of high-performance; the Tavascan’s arresting design conceals an advanced all-electric powertrain that provides the thrill enthusiast drivers desire, matched with the quietness and efficiency that electric technology offers.
“Winning the top award in the ‘Concept’ category for the third time in a row highlights the tremendous work, dedication and effort the whole Cupra team put into crafting the Cupra Tavascan Electric Concept,” said Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Design Director at Cupra.
“With each vehicle that we work on, we aim to communicate the fundamental essence of Cupra, and this accolade is proof that we are achieving our goals.”
Mesonero-Romanos says the Tavascan Electric Concept marries sophisticated liquid metal paint that emphasises and accentuates its exterior design, with tone-on-tone carbon fibre and delicate copper detailing.
The vehicle’s exterior brings muscularity and dynamism to the crossover segment. The car’s frontal design emphasises its electric personality with a low sitting illuminated Cupra logo. Each vent delivers efficiency, allowing air to flow smoothly over the body, or internally to cool the battery pack. Its wide-stance wheel arches house 22” turbine alloy wheels, focused on shifting air cleanly in order to minimise resistance.
At the concept’s rear the diffuser provides functional aerodynamics, while also creating what the designers call “emotional performance”, heightened by the elegant, widescreen rear light that spans the width of the vehicle and incorporates the Cupra logo.
Inside, the cabin mixes material and technological concepts that create a space that provides the perfect balance between driver orientation and passenger comfort. Contrasting colours, structural carbon and dynamic approaches to technology and design provide a high-end, lightweight cabin.
Two motors – one integrated on the front axle, the second at the rear – provide a combined 225kW of power to all four wheels, delivering performance, allowing the CUPRA Tavascan Electric Concept to reach 100km/h in less than 6.5 seconds.
The vehicle is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform and because the battery pack is housed in the floor, its centre of gravity is low, making it a truly dynamic drive.