The CUPRA Tavascan: a powerful 340 hp electric SUV to complement the Formentor

CUPRA calls its new car, the CUPRA Tavascan , the first hero of a new era, which will go on sale in 2024 as the brand's second model, after the Formentor electric SUV . With a power of up to 340 HP, the Formentor has already introduced the new CUPRA design language, which will now be applied to all future models of the brand.

The CUPRA Tavascan is a crucial step in CUPRA's development as a stand-alone brand, with its own distinctive style and design, which is a key differentiator from other Volkswagen Group brands and competitors . We had the opportunity to discover this new car in detail and we share everything you need to know about it.

The look features three triangles and lots of high quality detailing

In 2019, CUPRA unveiled the Tavascan prototype at the Frankfurt Motor Show . After four years, the production model retains the main lines of the prototype, while making the necessary modifications to allow circulation on the roads.

The result is a strong and athletic Coupé SUV with a flat, straight roofline for improved roominess, particularly for rear passengers, which differs from traditional cars with this approach.

The front side of the car has an impressive appearance that arouses interest and enigma. This aesthetic is achieved by combining various elements, such as the Matrix LED technology headlights with three triangles, as well as a thin line that crosses the entire width of the front face where the CUPRA letters are integrated with soft ambient lighting.

The CUPRA logo on the bonnet is illuminated, making this car one of the first to feature this technology in its class. This logo is placed on a bonnet with very marked and sculptural shapes of large dimensions, which is unusual for an electric model.

Although the upper part of the front of the car features a closed false grille, the lower part of the front bumper has a design of the marked side air intakes starting from the central section. These air intakes direct air to the batteries to cool them, and combined with the muscular bonnet directed from the center to the sides, create an appearance that is both emotional and efficient.

The car sits on the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform , is 4.66 meters long, 1.86 meters wide and 1.59 meters high, and has a giant wheelbase of 2.76 meters.

The A-pillars are painted gloss black, which was designed to simulate the effect of a full-face helmet with a screen forming part of the glass surface, according to Alberto Torrecillas, exterior design manager for the concept and production model .

The side design is distinguished by the strength of its forms, with flush door handles with an interior light to optimize aerodynamic resistance, black moldings running along the entire profile of the wheel arches and the underbody of the car, as well as 19, 20 or 21 inch tires with an aerodynamic design to reduce turbulence and increase efficiency.

At the rear of the car, the light signature plays a prominent role, with lights uniting the two ends of the car and the CUPRA logo illuminated in the center, giving a clean and powerful rear end without simulated tailpipes or moldings. .

The CUPRA Tavascan will be offered in six body colors: Tavascan Blue , Silver White , Atacama Desert , Urano Grey , Hypernova Red and Century Bronze Matt .

After reviewing it in person at a CUPRA-hosted event to preview the model ahead of its launch in Berlin at the CUPRA Exponential Impulse , it's clear that this car has a presence and appeal that complements it perfectly. with the Formentor, which is a success in the electric car segment.

Illuminated CUPRA logos on the front and back mark your style

This car is sure to get noticed wherever it goes and, in my opinion, it will propel CUPRA to the next level of maturity."

An interior marked by the central back

Although the exterior design of the car is remarkable, it is also true that the interior is equally impressive. The main feature is a central spine that extends from the dashboard area to the space between the two front seats. This column is considered a sculptural and architectural resource that gives the interior a sense of lightness, creating a floating feeling in the dashboard area.

As for the rest, sports bucket seats will be included as standard, and in future versions even the CUP Bucket seen in the Formentor VZ5 will be available. The seats are made from sustainable materials, with a fabric area made from 90% recycled polyester and 50% recycled microfiber.

In the center, a 15-inch screen acts as the control center for all information sources and the infotainment system. They guarantee a more intuitive and fast experience compared to other models of the brand, given that it also groups all the air conditioning controls.

The FullLink system allows smartphone content to be displayed through Apple Car Play and Android Auto. As for other features, the car features Copper color details, quality materials and fine workmanship, making it very similar to Premium models.

When sitting behind the wheel, the feeling is very comfortable and pleasant. The rear seats offer enough headroom, even for a person 1.75 meters tall. In addition, the trunk offers a capacity of 540 liters and has an electric opening as standard.

The device's audio system has 12 speakers and was designed specifically by Sennheiser to ensure high-level sound quality.

As for the technology, it is equipped with an augmented reality head-up display that can project real-time information onto the windshield. In addition to the navigation functions, driving aids and speed are also displayed on this screen.

Two power levels: Tavascan VZ and Endurance

The new CUPRA Tavascan will initially offer two mechanical options, with a third planned later. The first option is called Endurance , which is a rear-mounted single-engine setup with 286bhp and 545Nm of torque. This version will therefore be rear-wheel drive, but performance figures are not yet available.

The current top-of-the-line version is the VZ , which combines a 286 hp rear engine with a 109 hp front engine, for a total output of 340 hp. This setup favors the rear axle for power distribution, but can send up to 30% to the front if needed for optimal performance. We know that this version reaches 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.

The vehicle will offer six different driving modes adapted to the different driving styles that we can select at any time: Autonomy, Comfort, Performance, CUPRA, Individual or Traction (reserved exclusively for the twin-engine version).

The lithium-ion battery is identical for both versions. It has a capacity of 77 kWh and is placed in the central part of the vehicle, with a weight distribution of 49:51. The prismatic cell modules are liquid-cooled and housed in an aluminum casing that forms an integral part of the car's structure, reinforcing its rigidity and lowering the center of gravity.

The Endurance version with rear-wheel drive could offer a range of 550 km, while the VZ is expected to have a range of around 520 km.

As is common in electric cars, the car is equipped with an energy regeneration system with two levels, D and B, which allow driving almost exclusively using the accelerator pedal and without touching the brake.

The paddle shifters on the steering wheel also allow you to choose from five levels of regeneration. As an option, a heat pump will be available to improve the efficiency of the air conditioning of the passenger compartment.

When it comes to performance in motion, the adaptive DCC Sport suspension stands out thanks to its ability to offer different levels of firmness. In combination with the sporty and progressive steering, it ensures that the drive is in line with your expectations as a CUPRA driver.

In addition, the ESC has a Sport setting option and also allows this assistance to be completely deactivated.

Battery charging

The CUPRA Tavascan can be charged quickly with a maximum power of 135 kW on a fast charger. This can recharge the battery from 10 to 80% in just 30 minutes, or add 100 km of range in 7 minutes. The car can be charged with both AC and DC.

In addition, the CUPRA Easy Charging app is available to facilitate charging by displaying all available charging points.

market launch

In 2024, the CUPRA Tavascan will be launched on the market, at the same time as the CUPRA Terramar and one year before the Urban Rebel . Moreover, its design will also be applied to the next versions of the CUPRA León , CUPRA Formentor and CUPRA Born .