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Future models - Cupra - RavalCupra Raval coming to Australia, big SUV nextCupra prepares to add smallest and biggest models in succession, both electric-only5 Aug 2025 By TOM BAKER CUPRA’s product strategy in Australia continues to evolve, with the recent arrivals of the Terramar petrol/hybrid and Tavascan battery electric SUVs to be followed by a series of new-generation models including the Raval hot hatch and a large SUV.
Scheduled for unveiling in late 2025, the Raval will enter production at Seat-Cupra's Martorell factory in Spain early next year with an Australian launch expected to occur in 2027.
Cupra Australia head of marketing Jeff Shafer confirmed to GoAuto that local efforts to secure the Raval for this market are well-progressed.
"Raval is something we are working very hard to bring to Australia as quickly as we can. There will be a lot of news towards the end of the year, and early 2026, at a global level and I can’t wait to see the final reveal," said Mr Shafer.
The Raval, derived from the Urban Rebel concept shown at the 2021 IAA motor show in Munich, is the lead vehicle for the Volkswagen Group’s lower-cost MEB Entry battery electric vehicle (BEV) architecture which will also spawn the Volkswagen ID.2 and Skoda Epiq.
While the Volkswagen and Skoda will cater to a broad audience, the Raval was given licence to lean into higher performance, reawakening the reputation of hot Cupra versions of the Seat Ibiza while providing a BEV alternative to the likes of the Volkswagen Polo GTI.
Preliminary dimensions indicate that the Raval will measure approximately 4036mm in length while riding on a 2600mm wheelbase, with proportions similar to a Mini Cooper.
Two battery configurations (estimated to be 38kWh and 56kWh usable) will be available in Europe, with the packs built alongside the Raval factory in Catalonia. The larger pack will offer up to 450km range, while the fastest trim of the exclusively front-drive Raval will have 166kW of power.
While Australian BEV customers have typically prioritised longer-range vehicles, Cupra believes a shift might be underway in which buyers appreciate that lower-range, urban-focussed BEVs might be useful as a second car.
"We want to offer a choice for customers who have different needs in their commuting. There might be a car (in their garage) that is more used as a primary vehicle, and therefore it needs to be a bit more of an all-rounder," said Mr Shafer.
"There are some cars that might be more focused on being the second car in a household, and they can be a bit more urban-focused and about that compact size that works well in the city. Raval definitely has a space within that framework."
Work continues on a larger electric SUV designed to sit above the 4644mm-long Tavascan in Cupra’s global lineup. Initially, the big SUV was envisioned as a key prong of Cupra’s much-hyped entry to the US market – a plan that was recently deferred.
The unnamed large SUV is expected to be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s next-generation SSP BEV chassis. SSP has been delayed multiple times, which could make a swap to the PPE platform that underpins the Porsche Macan, Audi Q6 E-Tron and Audi A6 E-Tron more attractive.
"There are discussions about a larger SUV, which would be directed at the US market but available to other markets like Australia. I think there is room for a product like that in our range,” Mr Shafer said.
Cupra’s medium-term roadmap includes a second generation of its best-selling nameplate, the Formentor. While this vehicle, currently offered in petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) form locally, was also intended to go BEV-only, that plan could be revised given uncertain BEV demand.
Beyond its disclosed new models, Cupra is seeking to expand the role of electrified powertrains locally, with PHEVs earmarked for performance trims as Australia’s New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) will make the sale of high-CO2 petrol and diesel cars costly in the coming years.  Read moreAll future models Alfa Romeo Abarth Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chrysler Chevrolet Dodge Citroen Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton Haval Great Wall Honda Holden Hyundai HSV Isuzu Infiniti Jaguar Iveco Kia Jeep Land Rover Lamborghini Maserati Lexus McLaren Mazda MG Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Mini Opel Nissan Porsche Peugeot Ram Proton Rolls-Royce Renault Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo VolkswagenMotor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
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