Cupra unveils the Tavascan, a very promising 100% electric coupe SUV
Cupra took advantage of the Formula E Grand Prix in Berlin to unveil its second 100% electric car, the Cupra Tavascan. A coupe SUV that relies on the sportiness dear to the Spanish brand.
All lights are green for Cupra which brings success. The very young brand created by Seat five years ago has just announced a new record quarter with more than 46,500 units sold. And in the end, the 300,000 cars delivered since its launch allow it to become the manufacturer with the strongest growth in Europe. While waiting for the rest, Cupra having launched the marketing of its models in new markets such as Australia for example. Enough to stimulate the profitability of its parent company, which needed it.
Cupra therefore has no intention of stopping on such a good path and it is in this context that the brand is unveiling a new model with the Cupra Tavascan. Presented as part of a major event organized in Berlin, on the sidelines of the Formula E Grand Prix in which it is engaged, it is the second 100% electric model in its catalog after the Cupra Born.
Read also: electric cars, the 12 most anticipated models in 2023
A coupe SUV faithful to the concept car of 2019
Like the latter, which shares its MEB platform and many elements with the Volkswagen ID.3, the Cupra Tavascan is based on the same technical basis as the Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron and other Skoda Enyaq. However, the Spanish brand is still trying to differentiate itself by betting, as often, on a design that is more sporty. To do this, the coupe SUV looks almost like two drops of water to the Tavascan concept, which was unveiled in 2019 at the IAA show in Frankfurt and caused a sensation.
With dimensions of 4,644 mm long, 1,861 mm wide, 1,597 mm high and a wheelbase of 2,766 mm, the Cupra Tavascan inaugurates a new style roof which will be available on the brand’s future electrified cars. The front face is characterized by the triangle light signature, and an illuminated logo as is the current trend. Even more than the Cupra Formentor, the Tavascan displays a sculptural and sporty line. It will not go unnoticed with its fake Lamborghini Urus airs.
We also find the famous shark nose inaugurated on the Cupra Born, and the helmet visor concept which generates a panoramic effect at the level of the windshield and the polished black A-pillars. The latter had already been seen on the Cupra UrbanRebel Concept or on the Cupra Tavascan XE which is entered in the 100% electric Extreme E championship. The body line is relatively high and the lines taut.
In addition, the Cupra Tavascan is mounted on machined and forged alloy wheels of 19, 20 or 21 inches. Obviously for an electric car, it is also equipped with aerodynamic hubcaps to direct the flow of air and reduce turbulence in order to optimize efficiency.
At the rear, the diffuser and lighting of the SUV coupe help to reinforce the feeling of width, with once again the light signature with three triangles and the illuminated logo. Besides, Cupra plays the LED lighting card to the fullest, which can be found even in the door handles, and in abundance in the cabin.
The latter impresses. It retains the concept of the spine of the 2019 show car. This central structural part supports the floating elements while offering a design that Gaudi would not deny. Another original design element, the air vents are almost invisible thanks to their extreme thinness. The set stands out compared to the other SUVs of the Volkswagen Group which seem very wise, not to say boring in terms of interior design. Cupra obliges, there are various copper elements, while the dashboard is illuminated by LEDs which add a touch of elegance and modernity.
Sportiness requires, the Cupra Tavascan is equipped with bucket seats as standard. Fans can go even further with optional Cup Bucket seats. And who says electric car says sustainable development. The manufacturer announces that it has used materials such as textiles with up to 90% recycled polyester, or even up to 50% recycled microfiber. Finally, the passenger compartment is dressed in parametric 3D mesh fabric which enhances the perceived quality of the car.
On the infotainment system side, it will still be necessary to wait to have the same retractable side screens around the digital cockpit as those of the Cupra UrbanRebel Concept. The Cupra Tavascan will nevertheless be equipped with the largest floating screen ever integrated so far in a vehicle of the brand. With a diagonal of 15 inches, it offers enough space to display the new human-machine interface. It is intended to be more intuitive than that of the latest Seat and Cupra models, but we will have to wait to find out for sure. Anyway, this large screen will delight technophiles who eyed that of Tesla for example.
A second 5.3-inch screen is integrated behind the steering wheel for digital instrumentation. It is also possible to add a head-up display system with augmented reality if two screens are not enough for the customer. Of course CarPlay and Android Auto have not been forgotten, and a backlit Touch Bar has appeared. The latter offers direct access to the air conditioning controls rather than going through the main infotainment screen or by voice control which is also available on the Cupra Tavascan.
As far as practical aspects are concerned, the Cupra Tavascan is equipped with an electric tailgate which can be operated using the virtual pedal, and which gives access to a 540-litre trunk. Finally, rather than driving in silence, it will be possible to enjoy a strong audio system with 12 speakers designed in partnership with Sennheiser.
On the other hand, electric car obliges, the Cupra Tavascan is also connected thanks to the mobile application My CUPRA App. Conventionally, the latter makes it possible to control the air conditioning remotely, to manage the battery charge and to lock and unlock the car remotely.
Two engines to choose from for the Cupra Tavascan
The Cupra Tavascan will be available in two versions of 210 kW (286 hp) and 250 kW (340 hp). The latter, called VZ (Veloz in Spanish, meaning fast) has all-wheel drive thanks to its two motors: a 210 kW rear motor and an 80 kW front motor. Up to 30% of the power can be sent to the front wheels when the vehicle needs more traction. On the torque side, Cupra announces 545 Nm for the rear motor, and 134 Nm for the front motor. In terms of performance, this Cupra Tavascan VZ can go from 0 to 50 km/h in 2.4 seconds, and from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. Unsurprisingly, several driving modes are available: Range, which favors autonomy, Comfort, Performance, CUPRA, Individual and Traction, the latter being reserved for the all-wheel-drive version.
Speaking of energy, the Cupra Tavascan is equipped with a battery that has a net capacity of 77 kWh. The manufacturer thus announces a WLTP autonomy of around 550 km. The electric car will be able to recover 100 km of autonomy in 7 minutes on a direct current charging station, and go from 10% to 80% of capacity in less than half an hour with a power of at least 135 kW. In addition, the on-board charger accepts a power of 11 kW.
Finally, a word on the driving aids which are necessarily essential on such a vehicle. In addition to the usual predictive adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, Travel Assist for semi-autonomous driving with lane change assistance, traffic sign recognition and other Front Assist with avoidance assistance, the Cupra Tavascan inaugurates a new Car2x system. This allows vehicles to communicate with each other and share information (traffic, broken down vehicles, accidents, etc.), so that critical situations can be considered well in advance.
Good news for those allergic to tech-savvy slots. The Cupra Tavascan is equipped with the Assisted Parking function which allows you to carry out maneuvers remotely using your smartphone. In the same vein, Trained Parking can park the car on its own when it is 50 meters from a previously stored location.
The brand’s second electric model after the Cupra Born which was launched last year, the Cupra Tavascan will be marketed in early 2024 with a target of 70,000 units sold. It will be followed by the Cupra Terramar which should also arrive next year, and produced in the Volkswagen Group factory in Anhui, China.
