- CUPRA, as Global Partner, designs a sailing version of the CUPRA Terramar exclusively for the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup
- The CUPRA Terramar America’s Cup will lead the AC75’s towards the racecourse during the Louis Vuitton Cup finals
- The car’s dashboard has been readapted to be able to navigate as a boat without compromising the interior design
CUPRA has once again challenged the limits of the automotive world by breaking conventions and making the recently unveiled CUPRA Terramar America’s Cup capable of not only traveling on asphalt, but also navigating the sea, thereby taking the essence of its name to its fullest expression. This was possible thanks to a collaborative effort between engineers from CUPRA, Brava Boats and the vital cooperation of the Port of Barcelona and the Port Vell, who worked closely to ensure that the new hero of a new era can be seen sailing in Barcelona, on the occasion of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, where it will play a key role.
Unconventional. With specific actions like this one, CUPRA once again proves that it’s a brand that challenges the status quo and that seeks to stand out from the crowd, inspiring the world from Barcelona. The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup is the perfect backdrop for the company to showcase its rebellious side: “At CUPRA we always like to innovate beyond the automotive world, taking our disruptive attitude into unexpected areas. The CUPRA Terramar America’s Cup is a great example of this - a version of our new car that navigates the sea, bringing our brand to the heart of the competition” explained Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer at CUPRA. The CUPRA Terramar America’s Cup will lead the AC75’s towards the racecourse during the Louis Vuitton Cup finals. It will also be a hotspot for conducting interviews with key players in the event, as well as hosting popular streamers and influencers who will use the car to shoot their content. Grant Dalton, CEO of America's Cup Event, stressed that “this stunning initiative reinforces our partnership, proving once again why we are a perfect match.”
Built to surprise. Making the CUPRA Terramar America’s Cup seaworthy was quite the challenge. The nautical engineering experts at Brava Boats, with the collaboration of Vetus as a supplier of marine equipment, designed a bespoke trimaran-like base for the car, capable of supporting up to 2,500 kg on the waves of the Mediterranean. To ensure that the CUPRA Terramar America's Cup met the highest safety standards, rigorous buoyancy and stability tests were carried out, simulating different sailing conditions. CUPRA engineers were also involved throughout this process, assisting with weight distribution and helping to optimise the vehicle’s balance. But their primary role was in developing the car’s control systems: "The electronic manoeuvring and propulsion controls, specially designed for boats, have been integrated into the driver’s cockpit and are independent of the car” explained Enrique Madruga, responsible for the Special Cars team at the Prototypes and Pre-Series Centre. As a result of this, the dashboard was redesigned to integrate navigation modes and operate the platform without compromising the aesthetics of the CUPRA Terramar. “These modifications ensure a seamless transition between the car’s functions and the platform, enabling it to navigate across the water directly from inside the vehicle, while keeping the rest of the car’s functions intact” added Enrique. The culmination of these efforts exemplifies CUPRA’s commitment to innovation and the ongoing redefinition of what’s possible.
