Cupra Tavascan: sexy alternative to Volkswagen ID.5

Cupra Tavascan

Cupra already showed a study model of the Tavascan in 2019. Remarkably, the design of that concept car is largely retained in the production model. The Tavascan – named after the Spanish town of the same name in Catalonia’s Lleida province – is the first to receive Cupra’s new design DNA. The “sharknose” front end is particularly striking, as is the illuminated Cupra emblem on the hood, by the way. We already know the platform from the ID.5 and Enyaq iV. So this Cupra Tavascan is also on the so-called MEB platform. This is fully scalable, so any manufacturer within the Volkswagen group – and even beyond – has the freedom to build their own models on it.

Dimensions Cupra Tavascan

After the Born, the Tavascan the second 100% electric sporty model from Cupra. The Tavascan is 4.64 meters long, 1.86 meters wide and 1.60 meters high, for a wheelbase of 2.77 meters. There is a choice of 19-, 20- or 21-inch wheels.

Two drive options

There are two drive options to choose from. The range starts with a 210 kW/286 hp electric motor paired with rear-wheel drive. The top model – the Cupra Tavascan VZ – has four-wheel drive thanks to separate electric motors on the front and rear axles. With a system output of 250 kW/340 hp and an abundance of torque (545 Nm rear, 134 Nm front), the VZ is extremely fast. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.6 seconds.

Riding modes

There are several driving modes to choose from. Options range from Range, Comfort, Performance, CUPRA, Individual and Traction (the latter is exclusive to this all-wheel-drive version). Cupra also cites a weight distribution of 49% front and 51% rear. The Tavascan further features McPherson front suspension and a multi-link rear axle. In sport mode, the stability system ESC is disengageable.

Battery pack Cupra Tavascan

Each Cupra Tavascan is equipped with a water-cooled 77 kWh battery pack. The rear-wheel drive version has a driving range of up to 550 kilometers. For the Tavascan VZ, that’s 520 km, obviously according to the WLTP test standard. Fast charging is of course possible. Seven minutes at a fast charger (135 kW) is sufficient for 100 kilometers of additional range, and in 35 minutes the 10-80% battery pack is filled. 

Spine

Have you seen the interior yet? In the Tavascan interior, the most striking feature is the unique center console, christened the “Spine” by Cupra. This unconventional eye-catcher forms the center of the car and creates the connection between the sleekly designed dashboard and the center console. It is an innovative design element that gives lightness and seems to carry the sporty bucket seats, so to speak. Another design highlight: the narrow, barely visible air vents. Copper-colored accents typical of Cupra are used in the door handles and air vents, among others.

15-inch infotainment screen

The central, floating 15-inch infotainment screen in the Tavascan is the largest ever used by Cupra. Thanks to the new “Human Machine Interface,” the infotainment system is even more intuitive and easier to operate. In the process, it is possible to configure the system entirely to your liking, for example, by arranging frequently used functions prominently and making them directly accessible. Of course, the Tavascan features the wireless Full Link system that provides access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In terms of audio, the Tavascan will be available with a choice of two audio systems, including a high-end Sennheiser sound system with 12 speakers.

Driver assistance systems

As Cupra’s “hero car,” the Tavascan gets the very latest high-tech assistance systems. The new Connected Travel Assist works together with adaptive cruise control as well as using data from the cloud. The Car2x system is also new for Cupra. When activated, the Tavascan can communicate with other vehicles. For example, to give the driver timely information about accidents, roadblocks and stationary vehicles on the route. The radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors, together with information from outside, build a complete picture of the Tavascan’s immediate environment.

Other driving assistance systems include Side and Exit Assist, Emergency Assist, fatigue recognition, road sign recognition, Rear View eSmart camera, Front Assist with swerve and turn assist and Emergency Assist. Assisted parking also allows the Tavascan to park via a smartphone without the driver being in the car. With the Trained Parking feature, the car can learn parking maneuvers; very useful in places where the car goes often, such as the driveway at home or the parking lot at the office. 

First half of 2024

The Barcelona-developed SUV will be produced at the Volkswagen Group plant in Anhui, China, and Cupra expects to sell about 70,000 units of it worldwide each year. The Cupra Tavascan will be orderable in late 2023, with deliveries starting in the first half of 2024. Pricing and exact specifications will be announced ahead of the market launch.