The design of the CUPRA: this is how the Formentor, the latest concept car from the Spanish brand, came to be

Design is one of the most important aspects when developing a car, since it is the fundamental basis of key components, such as its exterior appearance. CUPRA, one of the brands that has generated the most expectation and curiosity since its arrival, has wanted to reveal its main secrets in developing an independent model from SEAT, as the Formentor has been. It is true that this vehicle is still classed as a concept car, but everything points to us soon getting to know the production version, which will not differ much in many elements from this one.

However, the Spanish sports car brand has wanted to tell us about the entire process to bring to life a vehicle that starts from scratch. Although the steps to follow are set out in those already used to develop any other model, CUPRA has placed special emphasis on the details needed to give the Formentor, a car built from the ground up in both design and mechanics.

Alberto Torrecillas has been the designer in charge of shaping the Formentor’s exterior, a task he explains with great passion. One of the aspects Torrecillas highlights most is that, since it is a concept car, creativity and freedom are more present in its lines. With this premise, the designer seeks to offer an attractive ensemble that invites you to be touched and felt, an effect they have managed to apply to this latest offspring of CUPRA.

Many designers turn to the latest technology to give shape to their creations, but Alberto insists that he favours making a first sketch on paper, the old-fashioned way. However, once that process is finished, it is time to bring the Formentor to life, a stage where CAD (Computer Aided Design) specialists are called in, who turn the drawings into three dimensions.

Manel Garcés, head of the visualisation department, explains that thanks to this process it is possible to validate the Formentor 75% with the two-dimensional design, while with the three-dimensional design it can be done 100%. At the same time, this is the phase when it is checked that all the technical requirements needed to manufacture the vehicle are met.

Finally, and before moulding the first real model, a 1:1 scale representation is made using clay. Thanks to the 700 kilos of clay used, it is possible to shape the Formentor and, consequently, apply all the relevant changes thanks to the malleability it offers. This is how we arrive at the creation process of the Formentor, a vehicle that will soon leave its concept status behind to join CUPRA’s production line and perhaps in time SEAT’s too.

https://youtu.be/jq5JKEwCLNQ

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverCUPRA Formentor17 versions · from 39,062 €