CUPRA DarkRebel concept goes from virtual to reality

In April this year, CUPRA presented the DarkRebel, its first showcar to debut through Metahype, the brand’s space in the metaverse. It was a virtual sportscar that could be the basis of a future model.

In the months that followed, CUPRA invited the public to help finalise the shape of the DarkRebel which it was actually building to display in 3-dimensional form at the IAA Mobility 2023 event in Munich. More than 270,000 ideas were received through the online Hyper Configurator, some of which the designers injected into the fin

This week, the physical version of the DarkRebel showcar has made its debut and shows how the high-performance brand will shape its future fully electric 2-seat sportscar for a future generation of drivers.

The shooting brake architecture reflects the disruptive mindset of the CUPRA brand, as well as incorporating an enigmatic mercury-like exterior liquid body colour, the use of light as an almost tangible material, and a heightened attention to sustainability.

According to Wayne Griffiths, CEO of CUPRA, it is thanks to the passion and creativity of the CUPRA Tribe that the designers have been able to turn ‘one of our most powerful obsessions’ into a real showcar. “The CUPRA DarkRebel is the maximum provocation of CUPRA design. It is a rebel with a purpose: to prove that electric cars in the future can be sporty, sexy, and emotional,” he said.

Illumination is a key element in the design of the showcar, starting from the lighting of the logo. It highlights the dialogue between material and immaterial, showing how light can support colours and materials and transform the transparency of crystal-clear pieces into solid digitally coloured sculptures.

The fluid character of the dark violet tone evolves and changes depending on how ambient light touches the bodywork, setting the tone for the DarkRebel’s character.

The car’s radical sharp front look is focused by CUPRA’s iconic triangular light signature as it emerges from the body, bringing the car to life. The lighting concept is based on breaking down the CUPRA logo into three triangles, which are then applied as Daytime Running Lights.

The central spine, like a sailboat keel made of a crystal-clear transparent material, connects the front and the rear of the DarkRebel. Sensual surfaces with a strong combination of sharp lines create tension in the design, expressing a concentration of energy and purpose.

At ground level, the wheel design is influenced by the brand’s racing cars, with performance and efficiency being key attributes. The triangular shaped CUPRA logo is expanded parametrically through the whole wheel, from the structure to the aero covers and design copper parts.

The DarkRebel’ is low-slung, just 1.3 metres in height (2.2 metres when its doors are open), with a length of 4.5 metres and width of 2.2 metres. The proportions – 1/3 cabin in contrast to the 2/3 body – with strong shoulders follow the classic sportscar form.

The DarkRebel challenges the rules of design in its interior, too. Through the duality of muscle and skeleton, body and structure, a ground-breaking cockpit is created. Its use of parametric design and additive manufacturing delivers a more substantive approach to sustainability.

Entering the vehicle, the two occupants will find themselves in an embracing, radical, extreme environment delimited by an elegant canvas outlined with dynamic forms, from which raw, light structures emerge. Crowning the whole are the driving components, true gems of design, which provide precision with their shapes and cutting-edge technology.

The simplicity and purity of the cabin is complemented by the careful craftsmanship of certain key elements. The key element is the central spine with its asymmetrical shapes, lightness, and sculptural appearance. Produced using the latest 3D metal printing technology, it provides structural performance with maximum lightness, emerging from between the base of the seats and extends forward to embrace the driver.

Another key element in the interior is the Supersport bucket seats, with headrests covered with 3D knitting fabric and supported by a structure made from a crystal-clear transparent material and copper inserts. The seats are mounted low and extend beyond their limits with their lightweight shape, offering lateral support for the entire leg. In their contact zones, they adapt and embrace the occupants to offer maximum comfort and grip for sporty driving.

The steering wheel, a highlight in the cabin, combines geometries from the world of racing with the interactivity of the world of gaming. Then there is the shifter, which is in the central spine and made of a crystal-clear transparent material, that illuminates and invites touch.

CUPRA doesn’t say anything about the drivetrain though it would be advanced and powerful. Being part of the Volkswagen Group, the platform would be one that is used by other brands. But by the time the DarkRebel becomes a production model, the technology would also have evolved further, such is the pace of advancement in EV technologies.

Over 270,000 creations with CUPRA DarkRebel Hyper Configurator