Sennheiser has been chosen by automotive challenger brand Cupra to deliver immersive sound for its first all-electric SUV coupe, the Cupra Tavascan – billed as ‘a game-changer in the world of electrification, breaking conventional rules and delivering for a new generation of car lovers’.
The Tavascan integrates advanced technology for an immersive driving experience. Based around a 15-inch infotainment system (the largest yet seen in a Cupra model) the system is complemented by a newly designed and developed Human Machine Interface (HMI), allowing interaction with the car’s various functions. In particular, the Tavascan is equipped with a 12-speaker audio system, with Sennheiser bringing its expertise and experience into the automotive space with Ambeo Concerto, the company’s latest software innovation for immersive audio.
‘Both brands share a deep passion for music as an integral part of their brand identity. Through this partnership, we aim to unlock the full potential of audio in-car entertainment,’ says Director of Sennheiser Mobility, Veronique Larcher. ‘Our approach is disruptive, rebellious, and unconventional, which is reflected in the unique sound experience we’ve created for the Cupra Tavascan.’
Instead of simply adding more loudspeakers, the immersive sound experience is achieved through proprietary software, tuned by Sennheiser’s expert sound engineers. To achieve the required level of audio quality, Ambeo Concerto software distils the components of a piece of music, including different instruments and room information, and redistributes them throughout the car. The Tavascan’s head unit allows users to customise the level of immersion and fine-tune the sound to their individual preferences.
‘This is all part of Cupra’s and Sennheiser’s commitment to delivering a premium audio experience that is truly personalised,’ Larcher says. ‘Together, we are setting a new standard for the automotive industry, providing an immersive and unique music experience.’
‘We are thrilled to have Sennheiser onboard, with their expertise in creating innovative audio solutions that have shaped the sound of modern entertainment and earned the company a distinguished reputation as the product of choice for music icons worldwide,’ says Dr Werner Tietz, Executive VP of R&D at Cupra. ‘Our vision in 2019 was to reinvent electrification. We wanted to show the world that electric cars could be fun and sexy, with a great design, while providing unique sportiness. It was a dream back then, but with the Cupra Tavascan, that dream is now a reality. Not only does our Tavascan look great, but it also sounds amazing, thanks to Sennheiser’s exceptional audio expertise.’
Designed and developed in Barcelona, the Cupra Tavascan will be produced at the Volkswagen Group’s Anhui factory in China.
