CUPRA’s product technique in Australia continues to evolve, with the latest arrivals of the Terramar petrol/hybrid and Tavascan battery electrical SUVs to be adopted by a collection of new-generation fashions together with the Raval scorching hatch and a big SUV.
Scheduled for unveiling in late 2025, the Raval will enter manufacturing at Seat-Cupra’s Martorell manufacturing facility in Spain early subsequent 12 months with an Australian launch anticipated to happen in 2027.
Cupra Australia head of promoting Jeff Shafer confirmed to GoAuto that native efforts to safe the Raval for this market are well-progressed.
“Raval is one thing we’re working very arduous to carry to Australia as shortly as we will. There might be lots of information in the direction of the top of the 12 months, and early 2026, at a world degree and I can’t wait to see the ultimate reveal,” stated Mr Shafer.
The Raval, derived from the City Insurgent idea proven on the 2021 IAA motor present in Munich, is the lead automobile for the Volkswagen Group’s lower-cost MEB Entry battery electrical automobile (BEV) structure which may also spawn the Volkswagen ID.2 and Skoda Epiq.
Whereas the Volkswagen and Skoda will cater to a broad viewers, the Raval was given licence to lean into greater efficiency, reawakening the popularity of scorching Cupra variations of the Seat Ibiza whereas offering a BEV different to the likes of the Volkswagen Polo GTI.
Preliminary dimensions point out that the Raval will measure roughly 4036mm in size whereas driving on a 2600mm wheelbase, with proportions much like a Mini Cooper.
Two battery configurations (estimated to be 38kWh and 56kWh usable) might be out there in Europe, with the packs constructed alongside the Raval manufacturing facility in Catalonia. The bigger pack will provide as much as 450km vary, whereas the quickest trim of the solely front-drive Raval may have 166kW of energy.
Whereas Australian BEV clients have sometimes prioritised longer-range automobiles, Cupra believes a shift is likely to be underway by which patrons recognize that lower-range, urban-focussed BEVs is likely to be helpful as a second automobile.
“We wish to provide a alternative for patrons who’ve completely different wants of their commuting. There is likely to be a automobile (of their storage) that’s extra used as a main automobile, and subsequently it must be a bit extra of an all-rounder,” stated Mr Shafer.
“There are some automobiles that is likely to be extra centered on being the second automobile in a family, and they could be a bit extra urban-focused and about that compact dimension that works nicely within the metropolis. Raval positively has an area inside that framework.”
Work continues on a bigger electrical SUV designed to take a seat above the 4644mm-long Tavascan in Cupra’s world lineup. Initially, the massive SUV was envisioned as a key prong of Cupra’s much-hyped entry to the US market – a plan that was lately deferred.
The unnamed massive SUV is predicted to be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s next-generation SSP BEV chassis. SSP has been delayed a number of occasions, which may make a swap to the PPE platform that underpins the Porsche Macan, Audi Q6 E-Tron and Audi A6 E-Tron extra enticing.
“There are discussions a few bigger SUV, which might be directed on the US market however out there to different markets like Australia. I believe there’s room for a product like that in our vary,” Mr Shafer stated.
Cupra’s medium-term roadmap features a second technology of its best-selling nameplate, the Formentor. Whereas this automobile, presently supplied in petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) type regionally, was additionally meant to go BEV-only, that plan could possibly be revised given unsure BEV demand.
Past its disclosed new fashions, Cupra is searching for to develop the position of electrified powertrains regionally, with PHEVs earmarked for efficiency trims as Australia’s New Automobile Emissions Customary (NVES) will make the sale of high-CO2 petrol and diesel automobiles expensive within the coming years.
