Cupra Tavascan here before end of 2024

CUPRA Australia has confirmed that it has fast-tracked the launch of its flagship electric crossover SUV, the Tavascan.

The new model – which shares underpinnings with larger electric SUVs from VW and Skoda, being built on the MEB platform – will arrive before the end of 2024, with the launch having been brought forward by about three months compared to the original dance card.

Cupra Australia managing director, Ben Wilks, said the Spanish brand is happy to announce that the production timing has been advanced for our market, with the model being sourced from China, despite the fact there is no Cupra presence in that country.

“The exciting thing for us is actually to be able to bring you news that we so very rarely say, which is that we are bringing forward the release of this car, and that’s thanks to the high-tech production hub in China, that we are able to source this car and also deliver it in almost the same time as our colleagues in Europe” he said.

“Deliveries are scheduled to start from December this year, and we’re very excited to be able to bring this car really early to our market.”

Cupra executive vice president of sales and marketing Sven Schuwirth was also at the soft-launch event for the Tavascan, and said the introduction of this model helps the brand’s portfolio become “fully fledged”, moving from the “limited” range of models currently available.

“Adding the Terramar, the Tavascan and the Raval, basically that means you have three entirely electric cars – the Raval entry car, the Born and the Tavascan; and three combustion engine cars with plug-in hybrid technology of a second-generation,” he stated.

Mr Schuwirth indicated that the fully-electric space has its challenges right now, and that plug-in hybrids, which in the new range will offer in excess of 100km of EV driving capability, will continue to be an important part of the brand’s mix.

“BEV transformation, to be honest, is not speeding up at the same level with each market. It’s a bit different from market to market,” he added.

Not only will it arrive earlier than expected, but the price might also be a surprise.

Cupra Australia execs have given the indication that it is hopeful of a starting price “close to $70,000”, with a slim chance that the brand will manage to sneak it under that mark, with a $69,990 (+ ORCs) starting price.

The full pricing and specifications for the new model are still yet to be confirmed, but the brand did confirm the Tavascan will be offered in two grades – the entry-level rear-wheel drive single-motor Endurance, and the all-wheel-drive dual-motor VZ, which is expected to add about 10 percent to the asking price.

The RWD Endurance variant has outputs of 210kW and 545Nm, and a claimed EV driving range from the 77kWh NMC lithium-ion battery pack of 534km – more than any Cupra EV to date.

Topping the range is the VZ, which adds the front-axle motor and ups the power to 250kW/545Nm, making it the most powerful Cupra yet. It has a performance claim of 0-100km/h in just 5.5 seconds (RWD Endurance is 6.8 seconds), but the VZ’s claimed EV range is a bit lower at 499km from an identical 77kWh battery pack.

Charging specs are decent for both models, with AC charging at a rate of 11kW (three-phase required), while the DC maximum rapid charging capacity is 135kW. The brand says that means 100km of range in seven minutes, or a 10-80 per cent charge in “less than 30 minutes”.

Buyers can expect full LED exterior lighting with illuminated badges front and rear, large alloy wheels (21-inch rims for VZ), while inside there is an abundance of colour-adjustable ambient lighting, a 15.0-inch touchscreen media system with sat nav and wireless smartphone mirroring, a wireless phone charger, digital radio, climate control, a power tailgate, and a Sennheiser sound system.

The Tavascan will become the second full-EV model in the Cupra range, positioned above the smaller Born hatch, which starts from $59,990 + ORCs.

The brand is also adding more affordable versions of the petrol-powered Ateca and has recently introduced Tribe Edition value-focused models to the Leon and Formentor ranges, too.

So far in Australia in the two years since launch, the Cupra brand has managed to sell 6000 cars – 1000 of which have been plug-in hybrid models, across the Leon and Formentor model lines.

However, in 2024 the brand’s sales have hit the skids, with just 1150 units sold in the first six months of the year, down 27.5 percent compared to the first half of 2023.