New Cupra Tavascan officially unveiled
Not enamoured by an Enyaq? Indifferent to an ID 5? Maybe it's time to try a Tavascan...
They’ve been a busy bunch at Cupra. Only launched as a brand in 2018, back when people were being cheeky about the badge and it meant a Leon Cupra became a Cupra Leon with copper bits, it’s already sold 300,000 cars. Almost 50,000 of those (more than 46,500) have come in just the first quarter of 2023 - so many that some have questioned whether Seat will survive in its wake. And now it’s time for the second all-electric Cupra after the Born, a model previewed back in 2019 and described as ‘the brand’s dream come true’: this is the Cupra Tavascan.
It's an electric coupe SUV, of course (because we haven’t seen a new one of those since Tuesday). And while plenty of the important bits you easily could recite from elsewhere - MEB toolkit, 77kWh battery, 135kW charging - the new Cupra does have a few tricks up its sleeve. First is a maximum output of 340hp for the dual-motor version, putting it ahead of the 299hp Skoda vRS and VW GTX. A handily brisk 0-62mph scoot in 5.6 seconds is promised.
They’re talking the right talk when it comes to the chassis, too, with 49:51 weight distribution, completely switchable ESC and ‘intuitive feedback to steering inputs’, in addition to sports suspension, forged wheels and high-performance tyres for a ‘very sporty driving experience’. The all-wheel drive variant (assuming Google Translate has worked properly for us) won’t send more than 30 per cent of available torque forwards, which suggests a more rear-biased balance than comparable MEB cars. It says the rear axle will get a maximum torque of 401lb ft and the front just 99lb ft, which sounds like good news. Range is anything between 323 and 341 miles, with a 286hp version presumably offering the best return. Naturally, there are drive modes to make the best of your remaining charge: Range, Comfort, Performance, Cupra, Individual and Traction (for the dual motor one).
“The Cupra Tavascan brings unconventional style to the SUV coupe segment with its forward-thinking and emotional approach,” said Jorge Díez, Cupra Design Director. "It's a bold, organic new interpretation of electric performance, built on strong lines and a determined, athletic appearance." That feels a bit of a stretch given the obvious familial links to the Skoda and VW, but then it might also be said the Tavascan is the most stylish of the lot, those familiar Cupra cues - the giant rear light bar, narrow front lights and chunky copper wheels - sitting well enough on the SUV silhouette. The Tavascan inevitably lacks the drama of the concept (and looks a bit dumpy in profile, as is so often the case), but it’s far from a bad effort.
The interior looks a step on from the Born, too, the big centre stack lending some drama and the new screen hopefully bringing with it improved usability. There are still some causes for concern - haptic wheel buttons, slidey climate controls, tiny driver screen - but the main infotainment unit has been overhauled. It’s now larger (15-inch) with what’s said to be a more intuitive HMI - so let’s see. There’s jazzy LED lighting throughout, standard bucket seats (the Born chairs are actually very nice), plus the availability of Soul Black with Deep Plum for sections of the interior sounds, which sounds well worth having.
“Cupra is evolving towards a fully electrified brand in 2030. Right now, the market is seeing a lot of purely rational electric vehicles arrive, and this is precisely what Cupra is not”, said Wayne Griffiths, Cupra CEO. “In 2019 we had a vision to reinvent electrification: we wanted to show the world that the Tavascan is not a vehicle that responds to change, but creates it.” Big promises from the boss, then, especially given how uninspiring equivalent cars have been as performance flagships. We’ll know for certain when the Tavascan goes on sale later this year.
I really struggle to see why anyone would buy an ID3 over a Cupra Born; or an ID4 over a Skoda Enyaq.
ETA: Stupid name though. Nearly as bad as "MG Cyberster".
Cupra's marketing team obviously agree, which is presumably why they have taken all the photos of it in the dark.
I'm getting pretty bored of all this overstyling. Am hoping we fall out the other end at some point and rediscover some subtlety.
t pile.I don’t even understand how Seat leon cupra has tuned into Cupra.. (leon?) makes no sense to me. But then I’m never going to spend £50k on a modern turd so what do I care
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