Cupra reveals trio of new electrified models





James Batchelor

4 Oct 2022

Cupra is plugging into more electric models after revealing three brand new electrified cars. 

The Spanish performance brand – sister firm of SEAT – currently has two plug-in hybrids in its range – Leon and Formentor e-Hybrids – and a sole electric model called Born. Thanks to the three new cars, the model range will swell to six by 2025 as part of major expansion plans. 

Arriving in 2024 will be the Tavascan. It follows the original concept version revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019 and differs only slightly from that show-car.

The Tavascan all-electric coupe-SUV arrives in 2024

The Tavascan is an all-electric coupe-SUV, and by using the Volkswagen Group's MEB electric car platform, it's effectively Cupra's take on the Volkswagen ID.5. 

No technical details have been revealed but the original concept car used two motors packing a total of 302bhp – similar credentials to the VW ID.5 GTX. A 77kWh battery is the likely power source, thereby giving around 270-280 miles, and given Cupra's sporting positioning the addition of smaller, less powerful versions is unlikely but not impossible. 

Coming in 2025 will be Cupra's new entry-level electric car. Called the UrbanRebel, the new part-supermini–part-crossover is a more street-ready version of the UrbanRebel racing car concept revealed earlier this year.

Smaller UrbanRebel is due in 2025

The UrbanRebel will become Cupra's third electric car when it arrives in showrooms in 2025, and will spawn a whole range of smaller electric models from the Volkswagen Group which will replace the VW e-Up, Skoda Citigo-e and SEAT Mii Electric. Due to its sportier brand positioning, the Cupra version might feature more power than its forthcoming siblings, and will cost more – a starting price of around £20,000 is expected. 

The new car uses a smaller version of VW Group's MEB platform and features a 226bhp electric motor powering the front wheels. The predicted range is around 273 miles and 0-62mph comes up in 6.9 seconds, meaning it's both more powerful and faster than the larger Cupra Born. 

In contrast to the Born whose design is heavily related to the Volkswagen ID.3's, Cupra's designers have been able to have free will in the styling. It features an aerodynamic shark-nose, sharp creases and a wraparound LED rear light-bar. It also has three triangular-shaped LED day-running lights, which is a new Cupra design cue, and while it's an EV the UrbanRebel has large grilles and a rear diffuser to add a sportier touch, forgoing aerodynamics and drag.

The UrbanRebel's price could be as low as £20,000

Meanwhile, the UrbanRebel's interior has an interior featuring PlayStation-like buttons and controls for a more youthful feel, and plenty of recycled materials are used throughout the cabin.

Also arriving in 2024 will be the Terramar SUV. Along with a selection of petrol engines, the Terramar will be offered as a plug-in hybrid and will rival the likes of the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 PHEVs.

Thanks to new technology, the Terramar e-Hybrid will manage around 62 miles in EV mode – exceeding the PHEV systems already used in the Formentor and Leon e-Hybrids and beating most competitors.

At 4.5 metres in length, the Terramar sits between the SEAT Ateca and Tarraco in size and is fractionally longer than the Cupra Formentor. It'll be built alongside the next Audi Q3 at the German firm's factory in Hungary.

The three new models are part of major plans by Cupra to extend its brand into more car segments and markets around the world. Since being hived off from SEAT in 2018, the company has clocked up 200,000 sales and now targets global sales of half-a-million by 2025.

Terramar PHEV will join the two electric models

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