We already knew
Seat’s newly-established Cupra performance brand planned to launch a dedicated
crossover. However, we didn’t expect to catch a glimpse of it so quickly.
Spain’s Autofacil has posted a photo said to originate from a VW Group document
that might give us our first look at Cupra’s new performance SUV. In the
snapshot, the unknown Cupra model sits alongside the track-focused Cupra
e-Racer prototype.
The mysterious
vehicle might be Cupra’s first standalone model that will add to the Cupra
Ateca, Cupra Ibiza and Cupra Arona in the performance brand’s lineup. As you
can see, it looks quite production-ready, even sporting a Spanish license
plate.
The as-yet-unnamed
model features a very aggressive front end that looks like nothing from Seat’s
current lineup. It boasts a hexagonal grille similar to the one seen on Tarraco
test prototypes, a sharp bumper with large air intakes, and sleek-looking LED
headlights assisted by round fog lights placed quite high.
Other distinctive
elements include the sculpted bonnet, muscular rear haunches, and large
two-tone alloy wheels. Quite possibly, this Cupra SUV might shape the brand’s
design language for all of the models to come after it.
The sloping
roofline suggests Cupra might market this model as an SUV-coupe, which would
fit the model’s dynamic characteristics. Speaking of dynamics, expect this hot
SUV to pack a high-performance engine, possibly as part of a hybrid system.
We have no reason
to believe Cupra’s first standalone model won’t use the MQB platform, but it
remains to be seen whether or not it will be all-wheel drive. Rumor has it
Cupra plans to launch it in 2020.
