After unveiling the Cupra Formentor Concept earlier this year, the Spanish performance sub-brand of SEAT has revealed an electric performance concept, the Tavascan.
SEAT is well known in Europe and was previously called the “Spanish Fiat” before Volkswagen Group bought it in 1986. In New Zealand, it joins European Motor Distributors' VW Group brands, such as Audi, VW, Porsche, Bentley and Skoda.
SEAT is an acronym for Sociedad Espanola de Automoviles de Turismo; which translates as Society of Spanish Automobile Tourism.
Cupra is a portmanteau, derived from the words Cup and Racer, and was created thanks to the SEAT’s motorsport background.
Cupra has been the carmarker’s moniker for its hot hatches and performance vehicles, including the SEAT Leon Cupra. In 2018 SEAT created the Cupra brand as its independent high-performance branch with the Cupra Ateca SUV the first to get the new badging.
Now the performance brand is “linking its high-performance DNA with state-of-the-art powertrain technology and sophisticated, emotional, expressive design” it says.
The brand realises the electric market is forecasted to grow by 15 per cent year-upon-year year so created the all-electric coupe SUV, Cupra Tavascan concept.
The Tavascan would be the first Cupra to use a 100 per cent electric powertrain.
The Tavascan concept takes its name from a village located in the Pyrenees, Spain, which is unique due to its stunning landscape and surrounding nature.
“Besides the Cupra Formentor, which will be launched in 2020 alongside two other high-performance plug-in hybrid models, we have already proved our technological capabilities by developing the world’s first 100 per cent electric touring car, the CUPRA e-Racer,” said Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths.
“With the presentation of the all-electric Cupra Tavascan concept, we are translating this vision into the streets and proving that performance can be electrified.”
The vehicle has an advanced all-electric powertrain with two motors – one integrated on the front axle, the second at the rear – provide a combined 225kW of power to all four wheels, delivering performance. It has range of up to 450km, and a 0-100km/h figure of 6.5 seconds.
The vehicle is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform.
Cupra NZ’s Setti Mulari has seen images of the Tavascan and is impressed with not only the looks but what the technology can bring.
“It’s clearly a strong statement concept from Cupra and will really push the performance boundaries of the MEB platform to the next level,” he told Driven.
“Whilst a concept, it clearly solidifies Cupra’s role as an explorer of new paths within the group and I can’t wait to see how the concept evolves and hopefully becomes a production model in the coming years.”
