Cupra's UrbanRebel concept takes its design influence from video games and Generation Z

Last week's IAA Mobility Show in Munich was the scene of many concept cars making their global debut, and among them was the striking Cupra UrbanRebel.

Based upon the yet-to-be-released Rebel EV, the UrbanRebel features design cues hinting at possible future vehicles from the company, such as its wrap-around windscreen, angular lines and the four corners stretched out to minimise overhang.

Cupra's design director Jorge Diez says the track-focused concept takes inspiration from concept cars in video games, where regulations are almost non-existent, as well as from the vibrancy and creativeness of Generation Z.

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"[In addition to racing] the design team was also inspired by Generation Z, a highly gamified generation," said Diez.

"If you’re planning a visionary project, you have to factor in the mindset of the people who are going to enjoy it. The design they outlined from the beginning was highly digital.

"In parallel to this transgressive design, the colour and trim team made a revolutionary change in the brand’s aesthetics influenced by video games.

"That’s why the colours are more vivid. After hundreds of tests, they incorporated violet and fluorescent yellows and graphics, which are totally reminiscent of the pixels in video games. We also took inspiration from the human side, looking to the future.

"One example is the side line, which is dynamically positioned and points forward. The car, for example, doesn’t have a rear window either – because in our design philosophy we're always forward-looking."

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Deiz also echoed the sentiments of Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths, who last week said the brand had adopted a "love it or leave it" attitude – designing its vehicles to invoke a passion for driving.

"The message is: electric cars can be highly emotional. Life is emotion and you must enjoy it every day. It's why we wanted to concentrate all the essence of Cupra in a compact format of just over four metres in length, with its essence and cornerstones united in a single object as a manifesto.

"This is the first time a compact model has been developed in such a sporty way, because we believe you have to have fun while driving in the city. At Cupra, we believe you can develop an emotional appeal even in four-metre proportions. The emotion which the vehicle transmits is what we like the most.

"We make cars which leave an impression on people; we want to be transgressive, even if it means not everyone likes it. We’ve attempted to crank up the volume of emotions as high as possible."

While the UrbanRebel likely won't ever make production in its current guise, its basic design will influence the Rebel – which will join the Born as Cupra's second EV hatchback.