Cupra plans production Tindaya as BMW iX3 rival

Tindaya will be more than a show car

Cupra revealed the Tindaya concept at the 2025 IAA Mobility show in Munich as a statement of its future design language and driver focused philosophy. The company built the car around the idea “No drivers, no Cupra”, while the name comes from the volcanic Tindaya mountain on the island of Fuerteventura.

Now Seat Cupra boss Markus Haupt told Autocar that the company is working on a production version of the Tindaya. He did not give an exact launch date, but said the car would reach the road in “a few years”.

The price pushes Cupra into premium territory

Tindaya is expected to become Cupra’s new flagship, positioned above both the Tavascan and Terramar. Prices could start at around £60,000, roughly €70,000. That would place it firmly in the premium crossover class.

For Cupra, this is a serious strategic move. Until now, the brand has not tried to play in the same price band as BMW, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Volvo, Genesis and Lexus. Tindaya would give Cupra a chance to sell not only sporty design, but also higher margin technology.

Electric car or range extender hybrid?

The technical details remain unsettled. The concept used a two motor electric drivetrain with a combined output of 489 bhp. It also featured a 1.5 litre petrol engine as a range extender, giving around 300 kilometres of electric range and up to 1,000 kilometres in total.

The production model would be built on the Volkswagen Group’s new SSP platform, but Cupra has not yet decided whether the final car will be fully electric or keep the range extender layout. Haupt stressed that the company wants to keep its options open for as long as possible, because the market is shifting quickly.

That is the most important nuance in the story for now. Tindaya is being discussed as a BMW iX3 rival, yet its powertrain may not end up as a pure electric setup. The platform gives Cupra room to make that decision later.

The US plan remains unclear

Cupra wants to sell Tindaya in both Europe and the United States. The brand does have a plan to expand into America, but that move was delayed and Tindaya has not yet been confirmed for the market.

Cupra looks for its place beside the Germans

Tindaya’s value does not rest only on its platform or powertrain. Cupra is trying to stand apart with sharper design and a more driver centred image at a time when many mid size electric SUVs are becoming visually cautious and technically familiar.

If the production car keeps even part of the concept’s edge, Cupra will have a stronger argument than simply offering another Volkswagen Group electric SUV. Even so, its success will depend on price, real world range, charging speed and how much of the concept car’s drama survives the trip to the showroom.