With VW’s announcement that its Cupra subsidiary might be hitting the U.S. by the top of this decade, we thought it was a great time to take somewhat take a look at the model that not many Individuals could also be conversant in. And whereas it does not have any historical past in America, as a standalone model Cupra’s historical past is fairly quick in Europe, too. It launched in 2018, and the model has its origins because the efficiency line of Spanish SEAT, which was one more VW subsidiary. However its concentrate on efficiency stays, at the same time as its personal model. Its lineup is a bit uncommon, although, because it has its personal Cupra fashions, but in addition nonetheless has high-performance variants of the SEAT line.
And that brings us neatly to the following query, which is: What precisely does Cupra promote? The present lineup has 5 most important fashions, two of that are variants of SEATs, and the remaining are distinctive to Cupra. Amongst these SEATs are the Leon (and the wagon model), in addition to the Ateca. The Leon is mainly SEAT’s and Cupra’s model of the VW Golf, whereas the Ateca is their VW Tiguan, with every utilizing the identical platform and powertrains because the VWs.
As for the Cupra-only fashions, the primary to launch was the Formentor. It is also on the identical form of MQB structure utilized by Tiguan, however has a lot curvier and aggressive styling that additional differentiates it from each the Ateca and the VW. Whereas additionally that includes inside combustion engines just like the Ateca, the Formentor (and the Leon for that matter) additionally has hybrid powertrains out there.
The subsequent Cupra-only automotive to launch was the Born. That is primarily based on, and even considerably resembles, the VW ID.3 EV. It is primarily distinguished by the sharp, scowl-y nostril, aspect skirts, a rear diffuser and considerably totally different inside. It does supply extra energy than the ID.3, that includes 223 horsepower from its rear-mounted motor to the ID.3’s 201.
Rounding out the lineup is the newest Cupra, which is one other EV, the Tavascan (proven at high and under). Bigger than the Born, it is a Cupra variant of the VW ID.4 and ID.5. It is extra akin to the ID.5 with its fastback roofline. However with far more aggressive curves, a extra distinguished rear spoiler, and flashy lights with triangular accents, it stands out far more from its VW cousins than the Born does. It is out there in two powertrain variants, the only rear-motor with 281 horsepower and the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive one with 335 horsepower. Meaning it makes the identical quantity of energy because the VWs.
So, will any of those make it to the U.S.? VW and Cupra mentioned that it will be coming into the U.S. market with a pair of electrical crossovers. That instantly guidelines out the SEAT-based fashions and the Formentor, no less than of their present iterations. That leaves the Born and the Tavascan. The Born appears fairly unlikely, since VW does not even promote the ID.3 in America, and there have been no indicators of that altering. The Tavascan, although, being primarily based on the ID.4, appears doable. Certifying it would not be tough, and there is likely to be even be the opportunity of constructing a few of them at VW’s ID.4 plant in Tennessee to be eligible for some tax credit. And whereas it is a fastback model, it’s a crossover of types, and would probably stand out essentially the most from VW’s many different U.S. choices.
That is just one mannequin, which suggests there can be one other slot to fill. We expect the most certainly selection for that is some Cupra mannequin that hasn’t launched but. We might see it being one thing bigger than the Tavascan, possibly with extra energy, too. We’ll merely have to attend for a number of years to search out out if our predictions are proper and what different particulars the model has to announce.