CUPRA has shown the design process and stages that were completed to create the brand’s first electric SUV, the CUPRA Terramar. The process begins with creating a sketch of the car, which is outlined, tweaked, and sculpted over and over again to create the perfect proportions.
"We draw the essence of the model, we transform it digitally to understand its volumes, but if we want to truly be able to feel the surfaces and verify that the proportions work, we need a full-scale model."
- Alberto Torrecillas, Exterior Designer
Inside a restricted access room at CUPRA's Technical Centre, exterior designer Alberto Torrecillas examines the full-scale CUPRA Terramar during one of its early design phases. On one side, the vehicle is vinyl-wrapped to mimic a painted finish, giving it the appearance of a lifelike model. On the other side, it’s an exposed, earth-toned mock-up crafted from over five thousand kilograms of clay. The clay is initially shaped using automated milling with precise parameters and then meticulously hand-polished, with every surface detail sculpted to millimetric accuracy.
During the design process, CUPRA uses the latest technologies and digital tools as key parts of the design process, but the making of full-scale clay models still remains an essential part of design. This design stage is important as it allows the design department to touch and feel each of the exterior surfaces.
“For us, every shape, every line, every contour has a meaning and conveys an intended effect. By simply touching the surfaces we can tell if they’re going to work in terms of design.”
- Alberto Torrecillas, Exterior Designer
Find out more about the CUPRA Terramar or contact Caffyns CUPRA today to book a test drive.