'The petrol-heads have spoken': Cupra to keep making petrol cars as long as the European Union lets it, as it prepares to launch 2026 Cupra Terramar family SUV

Cupra is clearly feeling a bit bullish, having delivered 9000 cars in Australia since the brand’s launch just three years ago.

And confidence is high that the 10,000th Cupra will be delivered here before the end of 2025.

Cupra execs recently revealed a bit of forward product information, and it's good news for petrol-heads.

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Cupra’s sales manager for international markets, Erdem Kizildere, told Carsguide: “We will continue to offer ICE for as long as the European Union allows it.”

“ICE is the driver’s friend,” he added, “We must offer ICE for as long as we can. The petrol-heads have spoken.”

Head of Cupra product in Australia, Jeff Shafer, confirmed that view, even admitting that plug-in hybrids might still be finding their way in this country.

“PHEV might be a bit of a slow burn. It’s becoming a better understood part of the Australian market. Sometimes the market needs to define itself,” he said.

2026 Cupra Terramar

That starts with the new Cupra Leon which will be on sale in October this year.

The range will start with the S model with 110kW which suggests the new-gen 1.5-litre turbo-motor with 250Nm of torque as well.

There’ll also be a VZX version of the Leon with 245kW of power for what should be epic performance and a Sports-tourer variant with a fairly conventional station-wagon layout (hooray) in VZE (a new trim level) boasting a plug-in hybrid driveline with 200kW at its disposal.

The first quarter of next year will also see a flood of new Cupra models, including an all-new Leon hatchback model in VE trim and a 150kW plug-in driveline.

2026 Cupra Terramar

The Born EV model is set to make a return to Aussie showrooms early next year, too.

This news comes at a time when Cupra – along with the rest of the car-making world – appears to be walking back the timeline for an all-electric future.

While rumours have been floating around that the new Terramar might just be the last conventionally powered Cupra, management now seems to be pouring cold water on those.