The CUPRA Tavascan has been deliberately designed to affect the driver’s mood. Its ambient interior lighting is far more than just illumination. This system acts as a powerful tool that actively supports the driver’s state of mind. It ultimately elevates the feel of every single journey you take. Drivers have a range of options to create an immersive, emotionally charged environment. This focus on interior atmosphere underscores the Tavascan’s progressive design philosophy.
Lighting Designed for Emotion
The CUPRA Tavascan offers five unique ambient lighting modes. These are named Liquid, Pulse, Electrified, Speed, and Boreal, plus a Custom setting. Each mode is meticulously tuned to adjust both tone and brightness. Consequently, the interior can set the perfect atmosphere for any journey. Drivers maintain full control to adjust these settings themselves. This allows for a truly personalised lighting setup inside the Tavascan. Customisation spans multiple interior zones. This includes the LED strip across the dashboard and door panels. It also illuminates the footwell and even the cupholders.
Architectural Light and Design
Lighting in the CUPRA Tavascan ambient lighting is a key design element. It is specifically intended to enhance the sculptural nature of the interior. Strategic placement surrounds the dashboard and the central spine of the car. This clever placement creates a ‘floating’ effect for the large LED screen. This unique design amplifies the sophisticated and futuristic look. It aligns perfectly with the aesthetic CUPRA is well known for.
The Psychology of In-Car Colour
Behavioural colour and design psychology expert Karen Haller explains the science. She details how mood is directly impacted by colour wavelengths. The interior lighting settings in the CUPRA Tavascan have a direct impact. They influence how a driver responds to the road and surrounding traffic. Colour has always played a powerful role in how we experience the world. Karen Haller noted, “When used with intention, it can help us feel calm.” She added, “Energised, focused, or at ease, those emotional states naturally influence how we behave.” This same principle applies specifically within the car’s interior.
Wavelengths and Driver Alertness
Interior lighting is designed around how different light wavelengths influence mood and alertness. These lighting effects work through the spectral composition of the light itself. This directly interacts with our visual and neurological systems. Different wavelengths of light influence how we feel and also how we behave. For instance, warmer light wavelengths like amber and soft orange promote relaxation. They help the driver to unwind and preserve night vision. They achieve this by causing less pupil constriction.
Focus, Balance, and Custom Control
Conversely, cooler, shorter-wavelength blue light suppresses melatonin. This light encourages alertness and focus for the driver. This is similar to the effect of natural daylight, which is rich in blue wavelengths. Mid-spectrum greens offer visual comfort and a sense of balance. They help steady the senses after a demanding day of work. By adjusting colour temperature and brightness, drivers create the perfect environment. This environment supports whether they want to feel relaxed, balanced, or simply energised. Allowing drivers to adjust the lighting gives them a sense of autonomy. More influence over their environment makes drivers feel more settled and secure behind the wheel.
CUPRA’s Emotional Core Design
Jorge Diez, Head of Design at CUPRA, confirms this emotional focus. He stated, “For us, the CUPRA Tavascan is a piece of art.” He explained that its design is fully built with emotion at its core. The ambient lighting setup is a key component of the design. It uses light specifically to affect the mood and emotion of the driver. CUPRA, at its heart, represents a feeling you get when you step in. It’s about switching on the car and becoming one with the road. The CUPRA Tavascan is indeed a true demonstration of this design ethos.
Performance Metrics of the Tavascan
The CUPRA Tavascan, as an all-electric SUV coupé, matches emotion with raw performance. The VZ version is the most powerful in the range. It delivers 250kW (340PS) via a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system. This power allows the Tavascan VZ to accelerate quickly. It sprints from 0 to 100 kph in a rapid 5.5 seconds. The base Endurance model provides 210kW (286PS) of power. It achieves 0 to 100 kph in 6.8 seconds. Both models are powered by a 77kWh net capacity battery. The VZ model has an electric range of up to 513 km. The Endurance model achieves up to 553 km on a single charge. The Tavascan offers a truly powerful and capable electric CUPRA Tavascan ambient lighting experience.
Summary: Driving with Intent
The CUPRA Tavascan is an electric SUV that transcends mere transportation. Its advanced ambient lighting system uses colour psychology to influence the driver’s mood. It provides five distinct modes for an immersive, tailored interior. The design elements, like the floating screen effect, reinforce a futuristic feel. This focus on emotional experience and personalisation is core to the Tavascan’s identity. The interior becomes a customised sanctuary that is fully supportive of the driver.
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Source: Cupra
