The Cupra Terramar might have revealed its exterior design last June, but the SUV is still in the early stages of development, prior to its market launch in 2024. Our spy photographers caught a mule of the model out in the open, while wearing the body of the mechanically-related Audi Q3.
The cleverly disguised Cupra Terramar was spied in the Alps, where VW Group tests its future models. While the body is clearly sourced from the Audi Q3, the prototype is retrofitted with a Cupra-specific front bumper featuring slimmer intakes and grille. Still, this is not the production-ready part as proven by a direct comparison with the official photo.
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The single shot of the production-ready Cupra Terramar reveals that the 4,500 mm (177 inches) long SUV will not share any body panels with the Audi Q3. The SUV introduced Cupra’s evolved design language with a grille-less face, sharper bumper intakes and the new triangular-shaped LED light signature for the headlights. This look will be applied to the entire Cupra range – including the Leon, the Formentor, and the Born – as part of the forthcoming facelifts.
Cupra has confirmed that the Terramar will share its architecture with the MQB-based Audi Q3. The SUV is expected to be available with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, as an ICE-powered alternative to the fully electric MEB-based Cupra Tavascan. It’s also expected to be the last Cupra with a combustion engine. The e-Hybrid (PHEV) is targeting an electric range of 62 miles (100 km). While the company hasn’t revealed more details about the powertrain, it could be built around the recently updated 1.5 TSI Evo2. VW has confirmed that the latter will produce as much as 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) when combined with electric motors in a PHEV setup.
The Cupra Terramar will be produced in Hungary together with the Audi Q3 and Q3 Sportback siblings. The market launch is scheduled for 2024, so we expect prototypes wearing the actual Cupra-designed body panels to appear in 2023.
Image credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops
