Cupra, still a young brand, has sold more than 300,000 cars in just five years. And it is the fastest growing brand in Europe. If in the 2021 edition the star of Automobile Barcelona was the Born, Cupra's first electric vehicle, in the 2023 edition the spotlight falls on the brand new Tavascan, the first 100% electric coupe-style SUV.
Presented at a massive press event in Berlin a few weeks ago, Automobile Barcelona is the contest chosen for its public presentation, a full-fledged debut in the living room. In Barcelona.
The Tavascan is an emotional driving-oriented SUV and, at the same time, an impetus for the creation of a new design language. "It's not just a car, it's an attitude towards the future." This is how Wayne Griffiths, president of Seat and Cupra, defines it.
After the Born, the Tavascan is the first 100% electric SUV from the Martorell brand and the second electric model. The name refers to the town of Lleida in the Pyrenees and represents a new step towards the total electrification of the sports brand.
Not in vain, also in the words of Griffiths during the presentation at Automobile, "Cupra is evolving towards a fully electrified brand in 2030. The market is seeing many rational electric vehicles arrive, and this is precisely what Cupra is not."
Derived from the prototype that was presented at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, it will go on sale in 2024 and Cupra is convinced of the emotional impact that this new SUV will create among customers, a new generation of car lovers.
A brand like Cupra, with little historical baggage, does not have to be subject to stylistic compromises of any kind. And that can be an advantage. Thus, showing determination and courage, the Tavascan is faithful to the prototype shown in Frankfurt.
It exudes freshness and modernity, with a design that does not leave you indifferent and that captivates from the first moment. It has dimensions that respond to a successful balance between sportiness and versatility for day-to-day use, with an exterior format that attracts and generates desire.
“It brings unconventional style to the SUV coupé segment with its forward-thinking and emotional approach,” in the words of Jorge Díez, Cupra Design Director. An icon for a new era. This is how those responsible for a brand that has been defiant from the beginning, with a strong personality, summarize it.
The front part stands out from its design, with innovative details. The most striking element is the lighting signature of three triangles in the headlamps. Some illuminated triangles that incorporate advanced functions such as Matrix LED technology, which allows driving with high beams without having to worry about dazzling drivers who are facing us.
And, as a great novelty, the Cupra logo is illuminated, presiding over the hood and creating an unprecedented technological image. Viewed from the side, it has very athletic proportions, with a wedge shape running from the model's nose to the tailgate.
Cupra also explains that the design has worked on what they call the "helmet" effect. That is to say, the A-pillar is in polished black and connects the windshield with the side windows, causing a vision similar to the visor of a pilot helmet.
At the rear, the central style element is the lighting, with the characteristic shape of the lights with three triangles and the Cupra logo also illuminated.
It is 4.64 meters long, 1.86 wide and 1.60 high. And the wheelbase is 2.77 meters in order to offer a spacious cabin. In addition, you can mount 19, 20 and 21-inch wheels with aerodynamic cut.
If it attracts attention on the outside, the Tavascan surprises equally on the inside. It incorporates an infotainment system with a 15-inch screen, the largest in Cupra for now. And Premium type details such as a powerful audio system with 12 speakers.
The cabin combines innovative materials with a space focused on the driver. A structural piece, which Cupra calls the “backbone”, helps to define and position the floating elements. This kind of backbone of the interior joins the body of the center console with the dashboard, as if it were an architectural resource that provides a perception of lightness. With a clear ecological vocation, the seats are upholstered with sustainable materials such as recycled polyester.
One of the great protagonists of Automobile Barcelona 2023 had to be, necessarily, an electric car. In this way, using the VW group's MEB platform as a base, the Tavascan will have the VZ version as the top of the range.
It will use two electric motors, one on each axis, with a power of 286 CV (rear) and 109 CV (front) and all-wheel drive. The sportiest Tavascan VZ will allow its driver to choose between Range, Comfort, Performance, Cupra, Individual and Traction (4x4) driving modes.
The Endurance version will use a single 286PS rear motor with an advanced liquid-cooled battery. This battery has a capacity of 77 kWh and will allow a range of 550 km. The autonomy of the VZ will be around 520 km with the same battery.
The brand explains that it will be able to recover 100 km of autonomy in just 7 minutes, and go from 10 to 80% charge in 30 minutes. Of course, at a charging point of at least 135 kW of power.
On the other hand, Cupra has announced in Automobile, as a surprise scoop, that its future new electric urban model will be called Raval, after the popular neighborhood of Barcelona. This car, which is scheduled to launch in 2025, was known until now as the UrbanRebel. This new 100% electric compact vehicle, whose name was announced by the singer Rosalía, will be manufactured in Martorell.
“El Raval is one of the most amazing parts of Barcelona. And today, we are proud that the brand's future urban electric car bears his name and represents his spirit. In the same way that we did with the Born, now we want to export the essence of the Raval and continue to inspire the world from Barcelona”, explained Wayne Griffiths, CEO of Seat and Cupra.
