The journey to creating a car often starts with something deceptively simple – a sketch. Picture this: Alberto Torrecillas, the exterior designer at CUPRA, armed with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil, begins sketching the very first lines of what would become the CUPRA Terramar, the brand’s first electrified SUV. But that initial sketch is just the beginning. Those lines are drawn, redrawn, digitally transformed, and, finally, sculpted into a life-size masterpiece before the design gets the all-important “freeze.”

“We sketch the essence of the car and use digital tools to bring it to life,” explains Alberto. “But to truly understand the surfaces and nail the proportions, we need a full-scale model.”

This is where the humble clay block steps into the spotlight.

Proportions: The Art of Getting It Right

Behind the scenes at CUPRA’s Technical Centre, in a top-secret, restricted-access room, the CUPRA Terramar stands tall in one of its early phases. From one side, it’s vinyl-wrapped, giving the appearance of a near-finished car. But swing around to the other side, and you’ll find a completely exposed, earth-toned sculpture crafted from over five tonnes of clay.

This isn’t your average Play-Doh project. The clay is first milled to precise digital specifications and then meticulously polished by hand, every millimetre sculpted to perfection. “Proportions are everything,” says Alberto. “We start with the sketches, but it’s the physical clay model that truly lets us see if it works.”

Take the CUPRA Terramar, for example. At 4.5 metres long, it’s an SUV with presence, but Alberto and his team wanted it to exude sportiness too. “By showcasing the body colour and sculpting athletic lines, we achieved a dynamic look,” he adds.

Where Craft Meets Tech

In an age of high-tech wizardry, you might think clay would have been retired by now. But it turns out, this traditional material is as essential as ever. “Clay allows us to explore the play of light and shadow across the car’s surface,” says Alberto. The tactile nature of the clay lets designers physically interact with the car’s contours – an experience that even the most advanced digital rendering can’t replicate.

“For us, every line and curve has a purpose,” Alberto explains. “By running our hands over the surfaces, we can feel if the design is hitting the mark.”

Speedy Adjustments

Another reason clay remains indispensable? Speed. It’s a designer’s dream material: malleable, easy to adjust, and capable of instant results. Alberto points to the prominent lines of the Terramar’s bonnet. “These lines frame the logo and are a key feature of the car’s front design. With the clay model, we could quickly tweak and perfect them, ensuring they hit just the right note.”

From Sketch to Showstopper

And so, through a blend of paper sketches, digital tools, and tonnes of clay, the CUPRA Terramar was born – a sporty SUV designed to shake up one of Europe’s fastest-growing car segments. It’s a testament to how old-school craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology can work together to create something truly special.

Whether you're carving up the countryside or cruising to your next camping adventure, the CUPRA Terramar is ready to lead the way – and now you know the story behind its sculpted beauty!