Cupra Raval VZ: A New Electric Hot Hatch
- The Cupra Raval is a new £25,000 electric hot hatch
- It will feature sports suspension, different steering, and special software response settings
- A VZ performance range-topper will be available, although the exact timing of its release has not been confirmed
- The Raval will be built by Cupra in Spain from 2026, alongside the new VW ID.2
- It will be unveiled at the IAA show in Munich in September
- Cupra is considering a return to the US market, although the exact timing of this move has not been confirmed
Introduction to the Cupra Raval
The Cupra Raval is a new electric hot hatch that is set to join the market, with a price tag of £25,000. According to Cupra head of research and development Werner Tietz, the Raval will be the most sporty version in its range, with a focus on providing a driving experience that is both exciting and engaging.
The Raval will feature sports suspension across the range, as well as different steering and special software response settings. These features will be designed to give the car a unique character that sets it apart from other models in the VW Group family.
VZ Performance Range-Topper
Cupra has also confirmed that a VZ performance range-topper will be available for the Raval, although the exact timing of its release has not been confirmed. The VZ model will follow on from the larger Born hatchback's hot 321bhp VZ model, which was launched last year.
Tietz stated that Cupra wants to have a VZ in every model, and the Raval is no exception. However, the company is taking a cautious approach to the release of the VZ model, with Tietz suggesting that it may be some time before it is available.
Production and Release
The Raval will be built by Cupra in Spain from 2026, alongside the new VW ID.2. It will be unveiled at the IAA show in Munich in September, as part of the VW Group's assault on the £25,000 electric supermini market.
The Raval is just one of several new models that Cupra is planning to release in the coming years. The company is also working on a baby crossover, the VW ID.2 X, and a new Skoda model, the Epiq.
Future Plans
Cupra is also considering a return to the US market, although the exact timing of this move has not been confirmed. The company is taking a cautious approach to the US market, given the slow take-up of electric vehicles in the country.
According to Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths, the company is open to all alternatives, including combustion models. However, Griffiths also stated that any models built for the US market would need to have European appeal, with a flagship electric SUV top of the list.