THE CUPRA TINDAYA SHOWCAR - WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DESIGNERS ARE GIVEN FREE REIN. LUCKILY.
CUPRA has pulled the wraps off its latest creation, the Tindaya Showcar, a concept designed not as a flight of fancy, but as an idea of where the future of styling and design. “The CUPRA Tindaya Showcar is not a dream, not even an ambition. This is our CUPRA statement, and it’s going to be a reality,” said Markus Haupt, Interim CEO of CUPRA. “While many move away from the driver, we double down on what matters most – the connection behind the wheel. Our focus will always be on the emotion of driving."
The name Tindaya comes from a volcanic mountain on the island of Fuerteventura, part of Spain’s Canary Islands. It’s a peak revered for its dramatic landscape and copper-toned rock - a natural palette that aligns perfectly with CUPRA’s signature bronze detailing and bold design language. Just like the volcanic rock represents strength and permanence, the Tindaya Showcar represents CUPRA’s unwavering commitment to driving passion in an increasingly digital, autonomous world.
To understand the Tindaya, you have to understand CUPRA. Originally the performance arm of SEAT, CUPRA (short for Cup Racing) built a reputation in the late ’90s and early 2000s by injecting SEAT models with a healthy dose of motorsport DNA. In 2018, CUPRA officially broke away to become its own standalone brand, carving out an identity that blends performance, design, and a rebellious spirit. Since then, models like the CUPRA Formentor and CUPRA Born have shown that this isn’t just another performance badge - it’s a brand with its own design language and mindset. CUPRA thrives on being unconventional, appealing to drivers who want something different from the mainstream.
At the heart of the Tindaya is a radical but simple idea: “No Drivers, No CUPRA.” In a world where brands are racing towards autonomy, CUPRA is choosing the opposite path, doubling down on driver involvement. The Tindaya Showcar embodies this philosophy with an interior and exterior designed to heighten emotion, sharpen focus, and remind us why we love being behind the wheel in the first place. Details remain under wraps for now, but CUPRA promises the Tindaya is not just a one-off showpiece - it’s a preview of the future design language that will filter into its production models. The blend of raw materials, bold surfaces, and driver-centric philosophy marks a clear signal: CUPRA is here to keep performance alive in the EV era.
CUPRA has never been shy about taking risks. By naming its new showcar after a volcanic mountain, it’s sending a clear message - this is about energy, eruption, and raw power, not quiet conformity. The Tindaya is less about being a car you simply drive, and more about being a car that drives your emotions. It’s a statement wrapped in copper and steel, aimed squarely at the heart of those who believe the joy of driving should never fade. We think something that looks this good should cross over from concept to production.
Take a look at the YouTube video from Auto Social UK as they give a decent report on the amazing-looking Tindaya Showcar. If this thing made it into production, it would definitely sell well, not in SA though cos CUPRA ain't here: CUPRA Tindaya | 496PS Concept with 1,000km Range?! Full Walkaround | Auto Social UK
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