2026 Cupra Tindaya concept firms as Formentor replacement 

The all-new 2025 Cupra Tindaya concept has been revealed to the world, debuting both Cupra’s future design direction and the capability of the VW Group’s range-extender hybrid technology; up to 365kW of power and up to 300km of electric range. 

Based on the same state-of-the-art Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) that will underpin the next-gen Mk9 Golf, the big news of the new Tindaya is that it features the Volkswagen Group’s all-new range-extender (REEV) powertrain. 

Designed to fit the SSP platform that supersedes both the MEB (VW ID.3, Cupra Born) and PPE (Porsche Macan, Audi Q6 e-tron) architectures, the new powertrain blends two e-motors, all-wheel drive and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. 

The total system output is 365kW, while an undisclosed battery provides around 300km of electric range, and contributes to a total fuel range of more than 1000km. 

Much larger than the current Formentor, the new Tindaya measures in at 4720mm long, suggesting there might even be a three-row version with less rakish rear styling. 

Even with all the extra weight of having to carry a big battery and a combustion engine, the Cupra Tindaya is quick: 0-100km/h in just 4.1 seconds – 0.1 seconds quicker than the flagship Cupra Formentor VZ5 offered in Europe. 

It’s thought the new range extender might have been developed alongside a similar powertrain being readied for the new North American Scout 4x4s. 

The Tindaya’s shape, meanwhile, is pure Cupra and to help achieve some of the concept’s striking curves, the brand used new lightweight ‘BComp’ composite panels that are said to be a more sustainable alternative to carbon-fibre. 

Inside, the full-length centre console, along with the rear-hinged doors will be dropped for the production car but are claimed to be all hints that Cupra won’t play it safe when it comes to the production version of the Tindaya’s cabin. 

A motorsport yoke-style steering wheel and large 24-inch digital display could both make it to future Cupra cabins. 

Helping select driving modes is a new jewel glass prism controller that also tweaks the ambient lighting and could operate a whole variety of other functions. 

Timing for the production Cupra Tindaya has yet to be announced, but since the Formentor was launched back in 2020, expect an arrival of around 2027 or 2028.  

As for the range-extender it's not known if the new plug-in VW powertrain will be offered outside of China, with the German car-making group, until now, preferring to offer its more conventional plug-in hybrid tech for both Europe and Australia. 

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