Cupra UrbanRebel BEV Concept Claiming Hyper-Car Performance

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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2nd September 2021

Cupra has claimed hyper-car performance capabilities from the powertrain fitted to its ‘racer’ BEV concept at the IAA Munich International Motor Show next week.

Its UrbanRebel Concept, which could go into series production will be launched in 2025, will employ an electric motor boasting 330bhp (250kW) of continuous power and up to 424bhp (320kW) at its peak. It claims a standing start sprint time to 62mph in just 3.2 secs.

Designed as a city-street bruiser, the car enjoys compact dimensions of a total length of 13.3ft, a width of 5.9ft and a height of 4.7ft, and envisions, the company says, “the proportions of the future urban electric car in a racing disguise”.

The UrbanRebel Concept builds on the design foundations of the 100% electric urban vehicle that will be launched in 2025. The road version will mix astonishing design with supreme dynamics and will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB short platform.

Visual highlights include, at the front, a ‘shark nose’ was created using a negative surface, triangular signature in the headlamps and a wrap-around window graphic to imitate the visual effect of a helmet previously employed in the Cupra Tavascan Concept. Naturally, a large spoiler at the back completes the racer image.

Wayne Griffiths, CEO of Cupra, said: “This racing concept gives an idea of the design language of the future street-car and will inspire its creation. 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. The urban electric car will democratize and make accessible electromobility to the masses.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_