Cupra Tavascan electric SUV hitting Australia sooner than expected

Pricing and full details are still yet to be confirmed, but a starting price around the $70,000 mark is likely for the entry-level Endurance model, with a higher-grade VZ with dual-motor power expected to push the price closer to $80,000.

Full details and pricing are set to be announced in the coming months, but Cupra Australia has detailed some of the specification levels for the two-model range, as a way to whet the appetite.

The Endurance entry-level variant is a rear-drive, single-motor model with outputs of 210kW and 545Nm and a claimed driving range from the 77kWh lithium-ion battery pack of 534km. That's the most of any Cupra EV to date.

The VZ dual-motor gets a smidge more power with an extra electric motor on the front axle, packing 250kW and 545Nm.

It's the most powerful Cupra yet, and can dispatch the 100km/h sprint in just 5.5 seconds. The single-motor is a 6.8sec sprinter. The claimed range is a bit lower, at 499km from the identical 77kWh battery pack.

Both models will feature AC charging at a rate of 11kW, while the DC maximum rapid charging capacity is 135kW. According to Cupra that means a recharge of 100km of range in seven minutes, or a 10 to 80 per cent charge in "less than 30 mins".

In terms of standard items? Full details are still to come, but you can expect full LED exterior lighting, big alloy wheels up to 21 inches, and the brand's signature 'coast to coast' LED rear light with illuminated Cupra logo.

Inside there will likely be a couple of trim options, but all models will have a 15-inch touchscreen, wireless phone mirroring, a wireless phone charger, sat nav, digital radio, and climate control, not to mention the likely inclusion of heated seats and a heated steering wheel, a power tailgate, and a Sennheiser sound system. 

If you're thinking "hang on, I thought it wasn't due until 2025!" you'd be right.

The brand has pulled forward its planned launch for the new model by about three months, meaning it more closely aligns with the European debut of the biggest electric model.

The reason for that is down to the production source; the Tavascan will be built in China, despite the fact there is no Cupra brand presence in that market. 

"The exciting thing for us is actually to be able to bring you news that we so very rarely say, which is that we are bringing forward the release of this car, and that's thanks to the high-tech production hub in China, that we are able to source this car and also deliver it in almost the same time as our colleagues in Europe," said Ben Wilks, Cupra Australia managing director.

"Deliveries are scheduled to start from December this year, and we're very excited to be able to bring this car really early to our market," said Mr Wilks.

Sven Schuwirth, Cupra executive vice president of sales and marketing, said that the introduction of this model helps the brand's portfolio become "fully fledged", moving from the "limited" range of models currently available.

"Adding the Terramar, the Tavascan and the Raval, basically that means you have three entirely electric cars – the Raval entry car, the Born and the Tavascan; and three combustion engine cars with plug-in hybrid technology of a second-generation.

Mr Schuwirth said plug-in hybrids – which in the new range will offer in excess of 100km of EV driving capability – will play an important role in meeting the changing needs of the Australian consumer, and pointed out the challenges around EVs on a broader scale can't be underestimated.

"BEV transformation, to be honest, is not speeding up at the same level with each market. It's a bit different from market to market," he said. 

More details and info will be provided in the coming months in the lead-up to the Cupra Tavascan's local launch, and CarExpert will be joining Cupra in Europe in a few weeks time to drive the Tavascan.

Be sure to keep an eye out for our review coverage.

Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au