The automotive publication has recognised the most outstanding final projects of the final-year students of the Bachelor of Arts in Transport Design at IED Barcelona, developed in collaboration with CUPRA
Date
25 June 2026
On 11 June, CASA CUPRA Raval hosted the award ceremony for the first IED CarDesign.es Award for Best Transportation Design Thesis 2026. Presented by the specialised automotive publication, the award aims to recognise the creativity, innovative thinking and professional potential of IED Barcelona's emerging designers in the field of automotive design.
The award was presented following a showcase of a selection of projects developed this year by students in collaboration with CUPRA as part of the 2026 CUPRA DESIGN CHALLENGE – WORLD REBEL SERIES 2040.
The brief set a clear challenge: within the context of a hypothetical multi-stage interplanetary racing competition, students were asked to develop unique vehicle exterior design proposals that combined the brand's DNA with the technical and emotional requirements needed to create an authentic CUPRA. They were also required to integrate state-of-the-art artificial intelligence tools into their design workflow.
The winning project, "CUPRA Teide" by Maxym Boutoleau, presents an innovative vision of extreme mobility, combining the speed and performance of a hypercar with the adaptability of an off-road vehicle. The jury, made up of Álvaro Muro, Director of CarDesign.es, and Julio Lozano, Head of Exterior Design at SEAT & CUPRA, praised both the project's outstanding overall quality and its ability to convey an evocative and emotionally engaging narrative.
Given the exceptionally high standard of the submissions, the panel also awarded a special mention to "CUPRA Ateris" by Werner Hummel.
MEET THE PROJECTS
Winner: "CUPRA Teide", by Maxym Boutoleau
A vehicle that combines the extreme performance of a hypercar with the capabilities of an off-road vehicle.
The bodywork features a two-layer paint system, with a biodegradable outer layer that gradually peels away throughout the journey to reveal a hidden design beneath. The concept draws inspiration from the world's toughest endurance races, where scars, damage and wear become symbols of achievement and resilience.
With taut surfaces, converging volumes and a liquid-metal aesthetic, the vehicle combines bold proportions, oversized off-road tyres, a sharp lighting signature and aerodynamic detailing.
CUPRA Teide is powered by electric motors, a battery system and a hydrogen range extender, delivering high performance over long distances.
Special Mention: "CUPRA Ateris", by Werner Hummel
For this project, the student drew inspiration from the fluid movement and adaptability of snakes to equip the hypercar with an innovative terrain-sensing vibration management system.
This biomimetic approach translates into a highly responsive, dynamic suspension architecture capable of reading, absorbing and reacting in real time to the unpredictable desert landscapes for which it has been designed.
With a sophisticated aesthetic, the exterior surfaces have been meticulously sculpted to maximise aerodynamic efficiency, resulting in a holistic design proposal that successfully combines organic expressiveness with high-performance engineering.
Cover photo (from left to right): Julio Lozano, Head of Exterior Design at SEAT & CUPRA; Javier Fernández, Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) in Transportation Design at IED Barcelona; Raffaella Perrone, Director of IED Barcelona; award-winning students Werner Hummel and Maxym Boutoleau; and Álvaro Muro, Director of CarDesign.es.
"CUPRA Teide", by Maxym Boutoleau.
"CUPRA Ateris", by Werner Hummel.
You may be interested in:
