On the side, the shape of the roof stands out, with that gentle drop to end in a slight spoiler at mid-height and giving it the silhouette of an SUV coupé. In addition, the pillars are thin and the door handles are flush, although they are not completely retractable, and we open the door by touching an interior button.
There are some huge tires missing. Those of this unit are 21 inches, but there will also be 19 and 20 inches. Of course, with a design studied to improve aerodynamics. In the same way, and as it seems almost mandatory in any SUV or crossover, the wheel arches and the skirts go in a darker tone to generate contrast.
If the front part attracts attention, especially for its lighting, in the rear area it follows the same line. We find ourselves again with triangles on the pilots and a horizontal strip that surrounds the logo of the brand, also illuminated in red. In addition, we have the Cupra inscription in a copper tone and a bumper with an aggressive diffuser. Without a doubt, it will be a very recognizable car no matter where you look at it.
The trunk is very spacious
The trunk of the CupraTavascan is large. It covers 540 liters, which is similar to the volume of the other three Volkswagen Group models with which it shares architecture, which are the Audi Q4, the Skoda Enyaq, and the Volkswagen ID.5.
The shapes are quite square so it is a very usable space. The floor can be placed at two heights and has a ski-holder hatch. By the way, the trunk upholstery is more than correct, and, for greater comfort, we have an automatic door with a virtual pedal function.
The CupraTavascan is pure originality
This new Tavascan never ceases to amaze us at the design level. Inside, two things stand out above all else. The first is what the designers of the brand have called the “backbone”.
Undoubtedly, a very original solution that includes both the driver and the passenger. It reminds me of the halo of a Formula 1 car. By the way, here we have the button for the emergency lights and, under it, we have a compartment with a wireless charging surface for the mobile phone and two USB sockets.
The second key point is the main screen. It's huge, at no less than 15 inches. The display quality is very high, the icons are very well achieved and defined and the touch conveys a great sensation of quality. It is also true that you will have to spend some time with the car to learn to use all the functions and to locate the different menus.
What I don't like so much is that Cupra continues to integrate the air conditioning controls on the screen itself, that is, in a tactile way. It is true that they have learned from some mistakes and now the temperature control is illuminated, so it will be somewhat easier to manipulate when driving at night, but I still think that the thumbwheels and buttons are much more sensible.
Continuing with the screens, behind the wheel we have the instrument panel. It is digital and, to my taste, too small. It is true that we will have a very complete Head-Up Display, but, personally, I think that this box could be a little bigger.
Combination of textures, lights, and colors
The doors will also focus our attention. We have different materials and textures, they are mostly hard materials, but in this area of the panel, the illuminated triangles return. A solution that does not provide any practicality, but does give it a lot of originality.
The steering wheel is very sporty, very Cupra-style with specific controls for the mode selector, but unfortunately, at least in my opinion, with tactile buttons for a multitude of functions. Again, I would prefer physical buttons and little thumbwheels.
Finally, before going to the rear seats, the dashboard combines materials with different touches. Hard plastic is preferred, but the textures are very pleasant in all the components, also conveying a feeling of solidity. To top it off, it introduces bucket seats with integrated headrests, electrical adjustments, and a commendable design.
The rear seats are not perfect due to height, but they are very correct for adults
In the rear seats of the Cupra Tavascan, we continue to find design curiosities, replicating the lighting of the door trims and using certain moldings in the Copper tone.
As far as space is concerned, the best dimension is longitudinal, that is, the space for the knees. A person who is just over 1.80 meters tall can ride behind another person at a similar height without problems. There is less room for the head, although this does not mean that we are tight. With my 1.76 height, I don't get to touch the ceiling but I do feel something close. On the other hand, the central square can be used for relatively short journeys, noting that the transmission tunnel is not very bulky.
There is no lack of a central armrest with two holes for bottles with a hatch to the trunk, four-zone climate control, heated side seats, grab handles and hooks to place hangers.
Available engines: Endurance or VZ, you choose
The CupraTavascan will offer two different versions, which are called Endurance and VZ. Both will share a 77 kWh net capacity battery and liquid cooling, of course, housed in the center of the vehicle and in an aluminum casing. This battery can be recharged to a power of 135 kW, being possible to go from 10 to 80% of the charge in just 30 minutes.
The Endurance version has a single engine, which goes on the rear axle. Therefore, it is rear-wheel drive. Its engine offers 286 hp and 545 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, autonomy stands at 550 kilometers.
For those who want more benefits, there is the VZ variant. In this case, it uses two motors, one on each axis. Yes, it is all-wheel drive. The front axle is activated in intense acceleration or when loss of traction is detected. Together, we are talking about 340 hp and 545 Nm of torque, which allows you to do 0 to 100 in just 5.6 seconds. The loss of autonomy of the VZ with respect to Endurance is minimal since it is expected that with a charge it can travel about 520 kilometers
When will the CupraTavascan arrive at dealerships?
There are still a few months left before we know the prices of each version so that we can drive it, which is what has given us the most anger about this static presentation. Of course, we already know that its production will begin at the end of 2023. It will not be manufactured in Spain and neither in Europe. Although it has been designed in our country, it will be manufactured in China. The first units will hit the market in the summer of 2024.
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