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Less than 24 hours after the Cupra DarkRebel was revealed at the 2023 Munich Motor Show, brand CEO Wayne Griffiths has hinted that a future production version is on the cards \u2013 possibly using battery, motor and platform tech from sports car sister-brand Porsche.<\/p>\n
Speaking from the Cupra stand at the IAA, Griffiths said Cupra \u201cwould have to\u201d lean on its Porsche and Audi siblings \u201cto make [DarkRebel] viable\u201d. However, he insisted that as it stands, the two-door shooting brake concept was a \u201cpure show car\u201d and that no technical decisions had been made.<\/p>\n
But Griffiths hastily followed this up by saying: \u201cIf you know us at Cupra, when we do concept cars and show cars, we normally end up doing them; we normally deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The DarkRebel was originally revealed in virtual form earlier this year but the Munich show was the first opportunity to see the forthcoming halo car in the metal. The DarkRebel has been designed with the help of 270,000 online configurations from fans and celebrity brand ambassadors. The DarkRebel is \u201can expression of where we want to take the brand, and what this brand can do\u201d, according to Griffiths.<\/p>\n
Despite its wild styling, the concept shares plenty of design details with Cupra production cars. The three-triangle headlight signature and the illuminated Cupra logo on the rear light bar are reminiscent of the Tavascan. Other signature Cupra traits, including heavily sculpted bodywork and plenty of copper accents.<\/p>\n
At 4.5 metres in length and 2.2 metres wide, the DarkRebel has plenty of presence with its long, sloping bonnet and stubby rear end. \u201cThe Cupra DarkRebel represents all of the brand\u2019s DNA and values. With wider shoulders, a long bonnet and lower cabin, it is \u201cfocused on the driver\u201d, according to Cupra Design Director Jorge Diez.<\/p>\n
Inside, the driver and passenger are separated by a central spine, much like in the Cupra Tavascan SUV. The DarkRebel also gets sporty bucket seats and a 'gamifying steering wheel\u2019, plus a driver\u2019s screen and a 3D customisable avatar on the top of the dash.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s likely that the J1 platform that underpins the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT will have been updated by the time DarkRebel becomes a production reality \u2013 probably towards the end of the decade. Likewise, battery and motor technology will advance, making it impossible to suggest how much range or power the sports car might get.<\/p>\n
Griffiths did say that Cupra\u2019s forthcoming halo model \u201cisn\u2019t going to be a volume thing. It's not a car to make money with, but it's a car to lift your brand up. If you want to become an iconic brand, you need icons.\u201d<\/p>\n