Cupra has unveiled its long-awaited Raval electric hot hatch, springboarding a new range of small Volkswagen Group EVs.
Arriving in the UK this summer, the Renault 5 rival will be priced from £23,785 and available in Origin, V1, V2, and VZ models, offering up to 280 miles of range.
Designed, developed and produced in Barcelona, the new low-cost hot hatch is built on the VW Group’s new MEB+ platform, which will also be used for its Volkswagen ID Cross, ID Polo and Škoda Epiq siblings due later this year.
The Cupra Raval will be positioned as the sportiest among the new arrivals and, according to the self-styled challenger car brand, will “challenge convention, push the boundaries and form an emotional connection with the driver”.
As the brand’s smallest and most affordable model, the Raval is the cornerstone of Cupra’s global expansion strategy.
Billed as its most striking car yet and “combining stylish design with exceptional performance”, the Raval will be offered in a base ‘Origin’ model, equipped with a 37kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor with 115hp.
The V1 and V2 trims will be available with a choice of powertrains, pairing the same 37kWh battery with a larger 135hp motor or a 52kWh battery and 210hp motor combo. The latter will deliver a range of around 280 miles and a charge time of 23 minutes (10%-80%).
The performance-focused, top-rung VZ model will only be available with the 52kWh battery and will have a range of around 250 miles and power output of 225hp. The VZ also comes with a suite of performance features including an electronic limited slip differential and Dynamic Chassis Control.
Across all models, the Raval gets a 10.25-digital digital cockpit and 12.9-digital infotainment system, plus a redesigned steering wheel, complete with physical buttons and satellite buttons for driving modes and regenerative braking ‘padels’.
Marcus Gossen, managing director of SEAT and Cupra UK, said: “The combination of striking design, electrifying performance and unconventional features, reimagines what an urban EV can be for a new generation of drivers. This is a fully electric car designed to redefine urban mobility with Cupra’s emotional and challenger DNA.”
