Richard Aucock, Contributor
Sat., April 22, 2023
- The new Cupra Tavascan is an electric SUV coupe alternative to the petrol Cupra Ateca
- It offers up to 340PS in dual motor form; The single-engine version has a range of up to 341 miles
- First Cupra showing off the brand’s new design language
- On sale in 2024, with prices likely to start from £45,000
The new Cupra Tavascan is the first electric SUV coupé from the Spanish sports brand. A bold alternative to the Volkswagen ID.4, it has been developed from the Cupra Tavascan concept car revealed in 2019 and is Cupra’s second electric car after the popular Cupra Born.
The new Cupra Tavascan is a family-friendly mid-size SUV, which will compete with other sporty alternatives such as the Skoda Enyaq iV vRS, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-e and of course the Tesla Model . Y.
The new Cupra Tavascan will also offer a pure electric alternative to the current Cupra Ateca. Bosses at SEAT’s sporting arm will be watching with interest as the two hot SUVs fare side by side…
2023 Cupra Tavascan Prices and Release Date
The new Cupra Tavascan, while being developed in Barcelona, will be built at Volkswagen Group’s Anhui factory in China. It is a factory specializing in electric cars. Interestingly, Cupra has announced annual volume targets of “over 50,000”. It will be split between China and Europe, with the UK an important market for the new Cupra Tavascan.
The new Cupra Tavascan will be a high-end coupe SUV, sitting above the petrol Cupra Ateca. That costs just under £43,000, indicating that the new Cupra Tavascan will likely cost more than £45,000. Prices for high-performance models will top £50,000, indicating how Cupra intends to increase the market with the new Tavascan.
2023 Cupra Tavascan style, interior and technology
The new Cupra Tavascan is a very athletic and muscular coupé SUV. Heads describe it as progressive, emotional and unconventional, with a “fierce and mysterious look” to the front. The illuminated signature of three triangle eyes in the headlights is the focal point. There is also an illuminated Cupra logo on the hood, one of the first illuminated logos in Europe.
The deep front end is marked by a shiny black structure. The air intakes are tuned to feed air precisely through the new Cupra Tavascan, improving its aerodynamic efficiency. The “shark nose” blends back into a wedge shape with the tailgate.
The new Cupra Tavascan has a ‘helmet’ concept on the side, where a polished black A-pillar connects the windscreen to the side glass, mimicking a racing driver’s visor. Moving back, the surfaces stretch to create a pronounced musculature, feeding into a lean back that cuts sharply at the back, adding more distinction.
At the rear, the new Curpa Tavascan has bold LED taillights with more triangular graphics, and another illuminated Cupra logo integrated into the full-width light bar. The design of the rear emphasizes the width of the new Cupra Tavascan and is a bold and decidedly sporty version of the five-door coupé SUV, ideal for families.
The new Curpa Tavascan is offered in distinctive colors such as Tavascan Blue, Mokave Beige, Hypernova Red and Matte Century Bronze. Even the smallest wheels are 19-inch, and 20- and 21-inch alloys are available, the latter lightweight forged items. All have aerodynamic covers to improve efficiency.
Before you step into a showroom, read our in-depth guide to all the new cars arriving in the next 12 months and beyond; some are worth the wait.
How fast is the new Cupra Tavascan?
The new Cupra Tavascan is a sporty-looking SUV with performance to match. With 340 PS, it will do 0-31 mph in 2.4 seconds and 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds.
What is the electric vehicle range of the new Cupra Tavascan?
The all new Cupra Tavascan will have a 77 kWh battery. With the most efficient aspect of a single motor, this offers an EV range of up to 341 miles.
Was there a Cupra Tavascan concept car?
The Cupra Tavascan concept car was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019. It was presented as “the brand’s dream”, and five years later it will become a showroom reality.
Ask HJ
Should I change all four tires on an all-wheel drive car?
I have owned my SEAT Leon Cupra ST 300 4Drive (Estate) since new. It is now three years old and has done 30,000 miles. It has the original tires on it. Front tires should be replaced due to tread depth, up to 2-3mm. The rear ones are still 5 mm. Should I change all four tires or just the front two? If I replace just the front two, they have to be the same as the rear two (I currently have Continental ContiSportContact 5 and was considering getting a SportContact 7). Can I actually put 2 SportContact 7 in the front, or is it better to have all four SportContact 7? I was also thinking of Continental All Season tires, but that would mean changing all four.
Our default answer is that replacing all four tires would be the ideal scenario, but replacing both tires on each axle at once is not a disaster. However, with all-wheel drive cars, there is a risk of mechanical damage because older, more worn tires have a lower circumference and will spin faster than new tires. This can lead to increased mechanical wear on items such as differentials in all-wheel drive cars. Considering yours is a high-powered car that needs all the grip it can get, we’d bite the bullet and get all four. The tire fitter may be willing to discount and sell the rear tires as partially worn.
Answered by Lawrence Allan
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