CUPRA will double its automobile portfolio in 2025 whereas additionally aiming to broaden its Australian presence to enhance its gross sales and meet new market demand.
Product smart, there’s a rollout of a number of extra variants, in addition to all-new fashions that may broaden the footprint of the vary of automobiles that put on a Cupra badge – and that’s not together with the brand new Tavascan electrical crossover coupe, which was initially due subsequent 12 months however has been fast-forwarded for a late 2024 arrival.
The corporate has confirmed it’ll kick off 2025 with the launch of the Born VZ electrical sizzling hatch, a sportier variant of the rear-wheel drive EV hatch that may sit above the present Born mannequin, which continues to be priced from $59,990 plus on-road prices.
The Born VZ scores an uprated 250kW/545Nm rear-mounted e-motor – nicely above what’s presently supplied within the entry-grade (a rear e-motor with 170kW/310Nm). The VZ is predicted to host a 77kWh battery pack, as the present Born grade does.
The model may even launch a facelifted model of the Leon hatchback between April and June 2025, with new powertrain choices confirmed for our market comprising a mild-hybrid base mannequin, whereas on the high of the line-up there’ll be a revamped VZe with an improved plug-in hybrid system providing significantly extra EV vary.
Alongside will probably be an up to date and facelifted Formentor, which good points a brand new exterior design, revised inside components, and new powertrains together with plug-in hybrid with greater than 100km of EV vary (WLTP).
The third quarter of the 12 months may even see the much-anticipated arrival of the Leon SportsTourer wagon, which is predicted to be supplied with a Golf R-spec efficiency powertrain, and a plug-in hybrid choice, too.
That mannequin is seen as a technical and non secular successor to the axed VW Golf R wagon.
And eventually, in what may very well be the most important information for the model (actually), the all-new Cupra Terramar SUV will launch within the third quarter of the 12 months.
Will probably be Cupra’s largest SUV by way of practicality and boot house, and in contrast to the also-large Tavascan electrical crossover, the pragmatic Terramar might be supplied with inside combustion engines and a plug-in hybrid with greater than 100km of EV vary.
It’s going to possible compete with five-seat SUVs just like the Volkswagen Tiguan and is predicted to be positioned in direction of the higher finish of the mainstream midsize SUV phase. It’s going to strictly be a five-seater however may have a number of completely different derivatives out there.
Whereas the model is but to announce any formal pricing and specs for the brand new mannequin vary, Cupra Australia managing director Ben Wilks mentioned the enterprise’s huge portfolio enlargement should go along with a bodily enlargement of the model’s touchpoints throughout the nation.
Over the primary two years of operations with the model now operating 12 gross sales areas and 14 service centres, Cupra has bought 6000 items; and with elevated quantity deliberate and extra complexity to the vary, Mr Wilks admits Cupra must broaden its bodily presence.
“There’s a lot extra to return. We goal to just about double the community as on the finish of 2025, and we’re doing the identical with the product vary all through 2025 – so rather a lot nonetheless to return,” mentioned Mr Wilks.
“Why are we making an attempt to double the community? As a result of we need to double the mannequin vary as nicely.
“The Born VZ introduces into a good sportier phase with Born. Essentially the most thrilling factor I can say right here is 250kW and rear-wheel drive. I feel that sums up this automobile very nicely.
“After all, subsequent 12 months the up to date Leon and Formentor, the facelift fashions (are additionally due), and the automobile for which we hope to have numerous pleasure, the up to date Leon SportsTourer.
“It’s been an extended operating mission, and one thing that our passionate Cupra Tribe have undoubtedly pushed alongside, so will probably be nice to carry that automobile,” he mentioned of the sporty wagon, which for a lot of would be the preferrred substitute for the axed Volkswagen Golf R wagon.
“The subsequent new hero is the Cupra Terramar, and this takes us into a brand new phase with a 4.6-metre SUV. It’s a dimension phase we haven’t been in earlier than, and an excellent alternative for the Cupra model to continue to grow.
“I feel you may see why it’s that we have to enlarge our footprint as a result of now we have to help the chance for all these automobiles coming,” he added.
At earlier occasions Mr Wilks had recommended the enterprise was aiming to promote 7000 automobiles in 2025, however a sombre begin to 2024 might result in a revised goal for the market; to not point out an anticipated growth in competitors from Chinese language manufacturers.
By the primary six months of 2024, Cupra has moved simply 1150 items.
Cupra government vice chairman of gross sales and advertising and marketing Sven Schuwirth mentioned the market realities might imply that the quantity should be revised downwards.
“No, we’d alter that for positive,” he mentioned of the 7000-unit goal for subsequent 12 months.
“The general surroundings that’s presently taking place within the Australian market, it’s considerably struggling for the time being.
“And we have to stay versatile. It’s a core recipe of the success of Cupra. It’s a buzz phrase, however we’re fairly agile and versatile, so simply by way of the product presents – BEV, plug-in hybrid, mild-hybrid, ICE – now we have all the things proper now, but it surely’s additionally how we method the market.
“It’s not solely the Chinese language manufacturers and the competitors for us, however no matter occurs on the subsidies from the federal government, the tax laws. We live in a really unclear surroundings, which has additionally made us even stronger,” he continued.
“Consider, we launched this model in COVID, then we had semiconductor shortages, and in Europe now we have wars – one in Ukraine, one in Israel – so it’s a unique story.
“We’ve logistics points, now we have vitality points, and I feel that continues to be the identical, and that once more leads you again that we have to stay versatile as an organisation together with our largest nationwide gross sales corporations, however nonetheless have a goal in thoughts.”
Cupra hasn’t simply caught with what it’s got earlier than driving out an enormous 12 months of product introductions in 2025.
No, the model has added value-focused Tribe Version variations of the Leon hatch and the Formentor plug-in hybrid SUV, in addition to the brand new base mannequin Ateca V, which begins from $49,888 drive-away.
The Ateca V makes use of a well-recognized 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (140kW/320Nm) with a dual-clutch (DSG) auto and all-wheel drive, and comes comprehensively geared up, too.
Normal gear consists of 19-inch alloy wheels, sports activities bumpers with a hidden exhaust, LED headlight, puddle lights with the Cupra emblem, black leather-based inside, energy driver’s seat with reminiscence, heated entrance seats and steering wheel, a 9.2-inch navigation system with wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto, a ten.2-inch Digital Cockpit driver show, energy tailgate with arms free operation, keyless entry and push-button begin, ambient lighting, dual-zone local weather management, wi-fi telephone charging and illuminated sill plates.
It additionally has the anticipated security expertise however might be optioned with a Tech Pack ($2900) that provides a surround-view digital camera in addition to a Beats stereo with 9 audio system, and dynamic chassis management adaptive dampers. An electrical panoramic sunroof is on the market at $1850.
The model is thickening its mannequin vary within the $40,000 to $70,000 vary, and the addition of the brand new Tavascan electrical crossover SUV will possible push the marque to new heights for pricing.
The entry-level Tavascan Endurance is on the right track to begin at round $70,000 + ORCs, whereas the all-wheel drive VZ is more likely to value about 10 per cent extra.