Cupra News

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Cupra's future growth plans hinge on large SUV for global markets, possibly including Australia.

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Volkswagen's house of brands to lean more into individual strengths, but will it be enough to change the group's fortunes in 2025?

Cupra has revealed its largest model yet, the Terramar mid-size SUV at the America’s Cup regatta in the brand’s home town of Barcelona.Expected to be the last Cupra model to be fitted with a combustion engine, the Terramar will share its MQB underpinnings with the Volkswagen Tiguan.It will also be available with a variety of powertrains including standard turbocharged petrol, mild-hybrid and the new-generation longer-range plug-in hybrid from the Volkswagen Group. Of those, the brand has confirmed at least one turbo petrol and a plug-in hybrid will be sold in Australia, with the possibility of additional variants.The Terramar will sit above the Tavascan electric SUV and the Formentor crossover in Cupra's Australian line-up. It sets itself apart from its Volkswagen Group relations with aggressive styling both inside and out, as well as standard sport suspension, a progressive steering tune, adaptive chassis control and sportier brake packages.The car leans into the current elements of the Cupra brand, including the new nose and three-triangle light LED clusters, the front design includes a functional lower ‘mouth’ in place of a traditional grille, as well as a bumper design which accentuates its width. Around the rear it adopts the same boot-length light cluster and illuminated logo as other recently updated Cupra products. The diffuser piece is deliberately contrasting to the bodywork to make it stand out.Inside, the Terramar is equipped with a large 12.9-inch multimedia screen and a digital dash cluster, and can also be equipped with a holographic head-up display. Like other Cupra models, it will also make use of extensive recycled materials on the inside. ‘Central areas’ are said to be made from 100 per cent recycled Seaqual yarn, and seats with synthetic suede with ‘at least 73 per cent recycled textile’. Leather materials use a plant-based tanning process.The Terramar was designed and developed in Barcelona, but it will be built in an Audi facility in Hungary. Further details as well as timing and specs for the Australian market are yet to be confirmed.The Terramar may not be the largest Cupra for long as global boss Wayne Griffiths confirmed the Spanish marque will debut in America by the end of the decade and introduce a large SUV model built in Mexico.The current range includes Leon hatchback and wagon, Ateca and Formentor small SUVs, as well as the Born electric hatchback and incoming Tavascan electric mid-size SUV.Its American debut will no doubt elevate the brand even further than its current rapid expansion, which has seen it move 700,000 units globally since its launch in 2018. Cupra has also had a comparatively meteoric rise in Australia, selling several thousand units by the end of 2023 after only launching in 2022. Its fortunes have faltered over the course of 2024, now down 27.5 per cent year-on-year thanks to thinning stock and a slew of upgraded products yet to launch.By 2025 Cupra showrooms will look very fresh thanks to heavily updated versions of the Leon and Formentor, as well as new faster trim levels of the Born hatchback and the introduction of the Tavascan and Terramar mid-sizers.

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Cupra has confirmed the arrival of its second electric car and it is likely to beat the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq electric cars to market. Sourced from China, the swoopy Tavascan has a seriously unique appearance next to VW or Skoda products despite using the same MEB electric-only underpinnings. Australian release is confirmed for the fourth quarter of this year and pricing is likely to kick off at $70,000 before on-road costs for the two-trim line-up. The electric SUV will come in a rear-wheel drive Endurance trim developing 210kW/545Nm and the VZ all-wheel drive brings grunt up to 250kW with no change to torque. Both will sit above the existing Formentor in the Cupra line-up and become the brand's second electric car after the Born's release.Although the Tavascan’s coupe-like silhouette isn’t groundbreaking next to the Volkswagen ID.5, Polestar 2 and Ford Capri, the details are where this Spanish car makes the difference. In images it’s difficult to tell, but in making room for the ‘bonnet bulge’, the panel has been dropped down with air flow coming through two nostrils next to the illuminated Cupra badges. Intricate LED lighting, naturally, makes an appearance. Cupra’s signature ‘helmet’ design motif with blacked-out A-pillars and a kicked up window line gives it a sporty character. Larger than a small SUV, the Tavascan measure 4644mm long, 1861mm wide, 1597mm tall and rides on a 2766mm wheelbase. Inside is Cupra’s new 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto sitting proud of the car’s ‘floating’ dashboard. It is totally different from a VW electric car inside with a unique central spine textured like reptile scales, beneath it you will find practical storage and a wireless charging pad. A 12-speaker 425-watt Sennheiser sound system is available.Power is drawn from a 77kWh battery for both trims with the AWD VZ’s driving range rated at 521km and the Endurance 568km (both WLTP combined).Fast-charging is capped at 135kW (DC) meaning you can bring the car from 10-80 per cent in under 30 minutes and add up to 100km of driving range in seven minutes. Cupra Australia is yet to confirm exact pricing and final specification for the Tavascan. Product and Marketing Boss Jeff Shafer told CarsGuide the new electric SUV will be priced above the existing Formentor range.The unique SUV costs $65,790, before on-road costs, in top-spec VZx AWD trim, meaning the Tavascan Endurance is likely to start at $70,000 or just below and the twin-motor VZ will likely be just above that mark. Expect various luxury and leather packs as well as an optional sunroof. Because the Tavascan is being sourced from China, the car is earmarked to reach Cupra garages by December this year, at around the same time as European deliveries to come. Cupra’s range will continue to expand in 2025. The Tavascan will be followed by the facelifted Leon – including Sportstourer wagon – and Formentor before the Terramar plug-in hybrid SUV arrives before the year’s end.