VW’s Sporty Spanish Brand Is Coming For The BMW iX3

Cupra’s Next Big Swing

A report from Autocar shows that Cupra, one of the brands under Volkswagen Group, is planning to enter the premium compact crossover segment with the Tindaya. That is the same space where models like the BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60 compete, a category that typically serves as a major volume driver for automakers.

Cupra has plans to enter the U.S. market, though that has reportedly been delayed. Even if the Tindaya itself is not confirmed for America, its expected use of Volkswagen Group’s new Scalable Systems Platform, or SSP, could still indirectly influence future Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche EVs built on the same architecture. It will be interesting to see Cupra’s take on the platform, especially since SSP has also been delayed as Volkswagen works to refine it to ensure its next-gen models are more competitive, though it may have contributed to the group falling behind in the EV race.

The Platform Meant To Power VW’s Next Era

Audi will be the first Volkswagen Group brand to use SSP, though the debut model remains unclear. Porsche is next in line, with Cupra eventually benefiting from the architecture. The Tindaya could use a fully electric powertrain instead of the 489-horsepower range-extender setup seen in the concept, though the platform has reportedly been engineered to accommodate powertrains with a combustion element as demand shifts.

If Cupra retained a range-extender setup, the Tindaya could be a good fit for the U.S. market, as this type of powertrain can help reduce anxiety during long interstate trips, where EV infrastructure may still be lacking. That could explain why brands like Ram and Ford are shifting some of their all-electric truck programs toward EREVs instead.

Flexibility Is The New Strategy

If there is one thing the EV market has taught automakers, it is that doubling down on an entirely new powertrain can be risky, with Porsche taking a $3.5 billion EV-related hit last year. As such, the report stated that Cupra wants to stay flexible, with Seat-Cupra CEO Markus Haupt saying:

“But which powertrains will we have in the end? It’s a decision we have not taken now, and we want to stay flexible as long as possible, because when the car hits the streets, we need to ensure that it has the right powertrains for our markets, for our customers.”

Despite targeting the BMW iX3 with the Tindaya, Cupra says it plans to retain its sporty ethos rather than go mainstream. That could make the Tindaya one of Volkswagen Group’s more aggressive-looking electrified crossovers yet, with the model forming part of the company’s push for a 3% global market share by 2030.

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