► Production-spec Tavascan at IAA 2023
► Concept has 280-mile range
► Production version will be second Cupra EV
You’re looking at the Cupra Tavascan, an all-new electric car from Seat’s (remember them?) younger, cooler, more dynamic offshoot. It was first shown in concept form in 2019, then at near-production spec last year. Now the proper production version is on show at the 2023 IAA Munich motor show.
This sporty electric SUV will hit the road in 2024. Forming part of Cupra’s growing line up, the Tavascan will be joined by the Terramar hybrid the same year, and the ID.2-based UrbanRebel supermini the year after.
It definitely looks like a Cupra…
In just five years, Cupra has built a unique design language and put an ocean between it and its Seat parent company. The Tavascan continues the good work, and riffs heavily on the ‘fishy’ looks of the Born hatchback – jacking them up to a more SUV-suitable height. The Tavascan also gets Cupra’s new triple-triangle headlight signature.
The Tavascan will be a similar size to the already released Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq and the Audi Q4-eTron – as it shares the same MEB platform. Our spy photographers captured ID.4 mules with Tavascan front-ends – such is the technical similarity underneath the Cupra’s more engaging styling.
However, that doesn’t mean the Tavascan will handle too much like its MEB siblings. If our extensive testing of the Cupra Born has taught as anything, it’s that calibration and chassis-tuning can make the MEB platform extremely versatile. Still, it’ll be built at the Volkswagen’s Group’s Anhui in China.
It’ll come in Tavascan Blue, White Silver, Mojave Beige, Urano Grey, Hypernova Red and Century Bronze Matte.
What about the interior?
The Tavascan’s interior hasn’t strayed too much from the concept, with a huge blade cutting across the width of the dashboard that then slices down to the centre console.
It also houses a massive 15-inch display – the biggest to be fitted to a Cupra model so far – and a redesign of the user interface of the infotainment system. That’s a good thing, as the current software is complicated to use, to say the least.
Cupra also says the new Tavascan can be had with a 12-speaker Sennheiser audio system.
Give us some specs
Cupra will offer the Tavascan in two trims for now; an entry-level model uses the VW Group’s new 282bhp rear-wheel drive motor, while a 335bhp, 402lb ft VZ version adds all-wheel drive.
0-62mph should be a competitive 5.6 seconds, though EV city-dwellers will be particularly interested in the 0-31mph launch, which takes just 2.4 seconds.
The power will be kept in check by a DCC Sport system. Cupra also promises progressive steering – which we believe, having driven the Born supermini.
Range-wise, Cupra is quoting a figure of around 341 miles (549km) for the base model, and both use a 77kWh (usable) battery. Range falls to an estimated 321miles for the more powerful model. 135kW charging means the SUV can be topped up from 10% to 80% in just under 30 minutes.