Cupra has unveiled the UrbanRebel Concept, a bold racing-inspired machine that previews the firm's forthcoming entry-level electric crossover due in 2025.
The new machine has been shown for the first time publicly at the Munich motor show, giving the first glimpse of a model created for the Volkswagen Group's crucial new MEB Entry platform that will underpin a range of small cars. Also starring at the show was Volkswagen's ID Life concept, which will use the same platform but adopt a more SUV-inspired silhouette.
Cupra boss Wayne Griffiths said the UrbanRebel is "a radical interpretation of the company's urban electric car" that will be launched in 2025. The firm chose to showcase it as a motorsport concept to highlight that "racing is at the core of Cupra's DNA".
Griffiths added that the machine "gives an idea of the design language of the future street car and will inspire its creation."
The production version of the UrbanRebel will join the long-awaited Volkswagen ID 2 – which is also tipped to shortly be previewed in concept form – and models from Skoda and Audi that will also be built on the VW Group's MEB Entry platform for affordable entry-level cars. The firm is aiming for the most basic versions of those cars to be priced from £17,000.
It is significant that Cupra, a stand-alone Seat brand, is the firm chosen to preview a car based on the new platform, given the VW Group's aim to build MEB Entry models at the company's Martorell plant in Spain. The VW Group is currently negotiating with the Spanish government to secure backing for the project.
Griffiths said: "The urban electric car is a key strategic project not only for our company, but also for the Volkswagen Group, as our aim is to produce more than 500,000 urban electric cars per year in Martorell for different group brands."
Cupra says the UrbanRebel showcases a shift towards a more progressive aesthetic look for the brand, although it retains features seen on the Tavascan concept and Born electric hatch. Cupra design boss Jorge Diez said the exterior is intended to "inject a gamification look" to the firm's design language.
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I like it... but we all know it won't look anything remotely like that when it's launched. They'll reduce that wing (obviously) to a boot lip spoiler and the wheel sizes will drop by two inches at least.
Snappy name, that's all, gets folk interested,obviously in its concept looks it's totally impractical for the Road, remember the Nissan Juke with a GTR underneath the body?, well, this is in the same vein, I like it.