Cupra presents the Tavascan, its impressive electric SUV designed in Barcelona and which will arrive in 2024

“It’s not just a car, it’s an attitude towards the future.” This is how Wayne Griffiths, president of Seat and Cupra, explains what the new Tavascan represents. This declaration of intent by Griffiths comes a few days before the international presentation of the Tavascan in Berlin, in a media event that the Martorell brand has dubbed the “Cupra Exponential Impulse event”.

In this way, the Cupra Tavascan is the first 100% electric SUV of the Martorell brand and the second electric model, after the Born. The name refers to the town of Lleida in the Pyrenees and represents the impulse of Cupra’s new design language, which will be present in the brand’s upcoming launches.

“The brand’s journey towards electrification is its unstoppable drive – it is at the heart of everything we do. Cupra is evolving towards a fully electrified brand in 2030. The market is seeing a lot of streamlined electric vehicles arrive, and this is precisely what Cupra is not.” These words by Wayne Griffiths, once again, define Cupra’s situation very well, at a time in the evolution of the car that no longer has a reverse gear.

Derived from the prototype that was presented at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, it will go on sale in 2024 and Cupra is convinced of the emotional impact that this new SUV will create among potential customers, a new generation of car lovers.

True to the prototype shown in Frankfurt, the Tavascan exudes freshness and modernity. It is a design that does not leave you indifferent, that seduces from the first moment. With dimensions that respond to a successful balance between sportiness and day-to-day versatility, it is a format that powerfully attracts, that generates desire.

“It brings unconventional style to the SUV coupé segment with its forward-thinking and emotional approach,” in the words of Jorge Díez, Cupra Design Director. An icon for a new era. This is how those responsible for a brand that has been defiant from the beginning, with a strong personality, sum it up.

Of its design, the front part draws attention in the first place, full of innovative details. The most prominent element is the lighting signature of three triangles of the headlamps. Illuminated triangles that incorporate advanced features such as Matrix LED technology, which allows you to drive with high beams without worrying about dazzling oncoming drivers. The illuminated Cupra logo, which presides over the hood, giving an unprecedented technological image, also caught our attention as a great novelty.

Viewed from the side, it has very athletic proportions, with a wedge shape running from the model’s nose to the tailgate. Also worth mentioning is the “helmet” effect, with the polished black A-pillar connecting the windshield to the side windows, creating a vision similar to a pilot’s helmet visor.

And at the rear, the central style element is the lighting, with the characteristic shape of the lights with three triangles and the Cupra logo also illuminated.

With a length of 4.64 meters, 1.86 wide and 1.60 high, the wheelbase is 2.77 meters in order to offer a spacious and comfortable cabin. You can also mount 19, 20 and 21-inch aerodynamic cut wheels.

Cupra understands that digitization is a key element in today’s cars. To do this, the Tavascan incorporates an infotainment system with a 15-inch screen, the largest in Cupra. And Premium type details such as a high-performance audio system with 12 speakers.

On the other hand, the cabin combines innovative materials with a driver-oriented space. A structural piece, which Cupra calls the “backbone”, helps to define and position the floating elements. This kind of backbone of the interior joins the body of the center console with the dashboard, as if it were an architectural resource that provides a perception of lightness.

In addition, the seats are upholstered with sustainable materials, such as recycled polyester and the front ones are Bucket sports type.

With the Volkswagen group’s MEB platform as a base, the Tavascan will have the VZ version as the top of the range. It will mount two electric motors, one on each axis, with a power of 286 CV (rear) and 109 CV (front) and all-wheel drive. The most sporty Tavascan VZ will allow its driver to choose the Range, Comfort, Performance, Cupra, Individual and Traction (4×4) driving modes.

The Endurance version, in turn, will use a single 286 hp rear motor with an advanced liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. This battery has a capacity of 77 kWh and will allow a range of 550 km. The autonomy of the VZ is estimated at about 520 km with the same battery.

Regarding the charge, the brand explains that it will be able to recover 100 km of autonomy in just 7 minutes, and go from 10 to 80% charge in 30 minutes. All in a charging point of at least 135 kW of power.

In security and help systems, it is worth noting the new version of the connected travel assistant, which improves its operation through the data received from the Cloud, especially when driving on poorly marked roads.

The autonomous lane change assistant evolves to offer greater comfort on the highway. Finally, the Tavascan will offer advanced autonomous parking functions, such as Intelligent Park Assist with memory function or remote parking assistant from a smartphone application.