Cupra with the unprecedented Tavascan puts the ace on innovative design and high technology

It is the athletic human body, complete with muscles and bones, that is the inspiration behind the Tavascan, the second pure electric car after the Born and the first in a new segment for Cupra, that of the SUV-coupé, interpreted in a bold design as befits the brand. And it is precisely the original design language that has contributed to the affirmation of Cupra, which grew successfully just six years after its debut as an autonomous brand, going from being a simple label for high-performance versions of the Seat to an expression of a more evolved, youthful and person-focused sportiness.

Built on strong lines, the athletic and determined appearance of the Tavascan does not betray what was promised by the concept of the same name unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in 2019. Three luminous triangles connote the identity of the front and rear: the light clusters (the front ones employ matrix LEDs) and the central illuminated logo. The negative 'shark nose' front end, in which the lower air intakes are used to cool the batteries, is shaped to optimise aerodynamics (the Cx is 0.26) as is the wedge-shaped body with lateral musculature extending to the rear.

The spacious interior confirms that minimalism is not the aesthetic hallmark of Cupra, let alone this model. Everything is designed to impress, again starting with the 'muscles & bones' theme. The protagonist is the central spine, a structural element deliberately left exposed to connect the console to the floating-effect dashboard, where the 15-inch screen of the infotainment system is inserted. A sculptural and architectural ensemble that gives a sense of lightness, with the 'bucket' sports seats modelled around the occupant's body and with the back from which a spine seems to emerge. Remarkable care is dedicated to the materials, never taken for granted and with a successful use of parametric design, an evolutionary 3D graphic that enhances the shapes on which it is applied, whether they are hard surfaces or soft to the touch like the laser-perforated seat covers. There are numerous details with a 'copper' finish, the copper colour that also distinguishes Cupra cars on the outside, from the logo to the aerodynamic wheel rims.

There are two versions of the Tavascan offered at launch, Endurance and VZ, both with 77 kWh battery capacity, the former with rear-wheel drive and 210 kW (286 hp) power, while the top-of-the-range VZ, with twin engines and all-wheel drive, delivers a combined 250 kW (340 hp) and claims a range of 522 km, inevitably a little less than the 568 km the Endurance promises.

We tested the Tavascan on the roads around Barcelona, where it was designed and developed on Volkswagen's MEB platform (production will take place in China's Anhui plant, owned by the German group). Swift and agile, it offers a pleasant and enjoyable drive, especially on curvy roads where you appreciate the generative braking that can be modulated via paddles on the steering wheel. Also from the steering wheel, Range, Comfort, Performance, Cupra, Individual and Traction driving modes, the latter reserved for the 4x4 version, are also quickly selected with a touch of the thumb.