The long-awaited CUPRA Raval has received its world premiere as it prepares to become the latest entry into the fiercely contested small electric car sector.
Set to rival the Renault 5 and new Kia EV2, the Raval is being pitched as a trendier alternative in the fast-growing small electric car class, one that leans into CUPRA’s image as a sporty, youth-oriented brand.
A thoroughly new car from the ground-up, the Raval becomes the new entry-point into the CUPRA range, slotting beneath the Born hatchback, while it also bolsters the Spanish marque’s all-electric offerings.
Retaining many of the styling cues that debuted on the CUPRA Urban Rebel concept, the Raval distils many of the marque’s signature styling cues – such as triangular Matrix LED headlights, copper-detailing, sharp creases and a ‘shark nose’ front end- into a compact, sporty profile.
Other highlights include flush doorhandles, an illuminated CUPRA badge on the rear-end, stylised alloy wheels and diffuser-style rear air-intakes.
Inside, the Raval shares many interior traits with that of CUPRA’s premium models – such as the CUPRA Formentor – namely the blend of copper and green detailing and figure-hugging bucket seats.
Encouragingly, style hasn’t come at the expense of substance, with the Raval getting a sizeable 430-litre boot, which is larger than what is found in the CUPRA Born from the class above.
Two battery sizes – 37kWh and 52kWh – are available, with different power and range outputs available so you can tailor the Raval to your specific needs.
The base CUPRA Raval Origin, which is pitched at those who complete urban mileage, comes with a 37kWh battery generating 113bhp and will deliver range of around 186-miles (WLTP). V1 or V2 trims get the same size battery but generate a more potent 134bhp for similar range returns.
Upgrade to the 52kWh battery – available in V1 and V2 trim as well – and the Raval gains a notable increase in both range (279-miles) and power (209bhp). This compares well against the Renault 5, which tops out at 252-miles of range.
The flagship CUPRA Raval VZ uses the same 52kWh battery but has an electric motor capable of a hot hatch-rivalling 222bhp.
Charging from 10 to 80% for the 52kWh battery can be achieved in 23-minutes using a 130kW DC fast charger, while the 37kwh battery covers the same increment in 27-minutes using a 90kW fast charge.
The Significance of the New CUPRA Raval
The Raval arrives as a significant new launch for a brand that has been on a sharp rise in recent years.
Originally conceived as a sport-oriented flagship trim by SEAT, CUPRA (which is a portmanteau of Cup and Racing) was spun-off into its own brand in 2018 to showcase more premium offerings from the Spanish marque.
Since then, CUPRA has rapidly established itself as Europe’s fastest-growing automotive company, taking just seven years to notch up over a million global sales.
As a show of confidence for CUPRA, parent company – the VW Group – have entrusted the marque to lead the way for the launch of its new MEB Entry+ platform with the Raval.
It’s architecture that Volkswagen and Skoda will come to utilise in the coming months with their respective ID. Polo and Epiq models.
While the Raval will fulfil the brief for a sporty, trendy small electric car, the Volkswagen ID. Polo will be the more mainstream option that draws upon its famous namesake in its design and positioning.
The Skoda Epiq, meanwhile, will adopt more SUV-inspired styling as it slots in as the fourth electric model in the Czechia firm’s range beneath the Elroq, Enyaq and forthcoming Peaq.
The Cupra Raval is set to go on sale in the UK from 1 July and while prices will be confirmed nearer the time, the range is expected to start below £23,000.
.
- Cupra