The Cupra Tavascan electrical SUV has been quick tracked to Australia because the Spanish model ramps up its EV choices.
Initially slated for a 2025 arrival, the fledgling Spanish model has pulled ahead the projected on-sale date to December 2024 – and the primary left-hand drive demo has simply landed within the nation.
The only instance at the moment on show at Sydney’s Cupra Storage is a left-hand drive mannequin sourced from the manufacturing unit in Spain, however right-hand drive Australian examples will come out of China, making the journey to buyer arms that little bit faster.
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The five-seat mid-sized SUV could have the Tesla Mannequin Y in its crosshairs however may also compete with a raft of newcomers, together with the Toyota bZ4X, Subaru Solterra, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and upcoming Kia EV5.
As a part of the model’s positioning straddling the status and mainstream markets the Tavascan may additionally compete with the BMW iX2 and Audi This fall e-tron.
The Tavascan marks the beginning of a brand new mannequin onslaught by Cupra aimed to construct on an already spectacular electrified car share.
Whereas gross sales within the first half of 2024 are down for Cupra, of the 1150 vehicles bought up to now (down 27 per cent) 54 per cent are both EVs or plug-in hybrids.
Greater than half of the model’s prime promoting mannequin – the Formentor – at the moment are partially powered by electrical energy.
All of which bodes effectively for the Tavascan, which shares its structure with numerous Volkswagen Group EVs, together with the ID.4 and ID.Buzz.
The Tavascan can be provided in two fashions: single motor Endurance and twin motor VZ.
Every will get a 77kWh battery, which within the Endurance (with 210kW of energy driving the rear wheels) makes for 534km of vary.
Within the VZ (with 250kW distributed throughout two motors driving all 4 wheels) that vary drops to a still-decent 499km.
Key to the Tavascan’s enchantment is its smooth styling, which has a coupe-inspired roof line and the most recent model DNA, together with triangular LED components built-in into the headlights and tail lights.
The trendy aesthetic continues into the cabin, which is brimming with trendy supplies and funky lighting, together with ambient lighting all through the doorways.
The Tavascan is the beginning of a electrified mannequin onslaught from Cupra that good points tempo in 2025.
Within the first half are updates to the Formentor and Leon, the latter additionally including a Sportstourer wagon physique type. Every could have a brand new PHEV system with as much as 100km of EV-only vary.
Then later within the 12 months is Cupra’s largest car up to now, the Terramar. The mid-sized five-seat SUV can be provided as a hybrid and PHEV and is the final newcomer from the model to be fitted with an inner combustion engine (late within the decade Cupra is planning to enter the North American market with an EV-only line-up).
Regardless of all of the fanfare, although, Cupra is strolling again from its plans to promote 7000 vehicles in Australia in 2025.
Visiting Cupra govt vice chairman gross sales, advertising and aftersales Sven Schuwirth recommended there can be decrease targets within the face of elevated competitors and difficult market dynamics.
“We’d alter it,” stated Schuwirth. “We have to stay versatile. It’s a core recipe of the success of Cupra.”