Cupra confirms Raval name for 2025 UrbanRebel electric hot hatch

Cupra will launch the Raval urban EV in 2025 as the production version of 2022’s UrbanRebel show car.

Production of the Raval will begin in 2025 at the marque’s Martorell facility in Spain, with an Australian arrival on the cards. It will be an affordable EV (relatively speaking), with overseas pricing suggesting a local list around – or even below – the $40K mark.

The new 4030mm long Raval will slot beneath the Born electric car that launched last month, and sit on the VW Group’s new front-wheel drive MEB Small architecture. The brand initially promised 166kW from a single electric motor, with no further details yet.

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“The CUPRA Raval is not just another car. It is an invitation to a new generation, which expects something better. An urban, rebellious and 100% electric car, with its own character and linked to 'Gen Z’. Something that’s more emotional,” said Wayne Griffiths, Cupra CEO.

Where does the Raval name come from?

Cupra’s new EV follows the naming convention set by the Born, with Raval being a particularly happening neighborhood in Barcelona.

The Raval is one of the most surprising parts of Barcelona. And today, we are proud that the brand’s future urban electric car will have its name and represent its spirit

“Just as we did with the CUPRA Born, we now want to express the essence of the Raval and continue to inspire the world from Barcelona,” Griffiths said

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Cupra Raval details

Cupra hasn’t confirmed any further details of the Raval, that will follow the Tavascan and Terramar SUVs to market, so we’re left with the UrbanRebel show car’s details to discuss.

In the broader Volkswagen Group, Seat/Cupra have been designated as lead developers for small, affordable EVs – meaning the Raval will likely come to market before the highly-anticipated Volkswagen ID.2.

“The CUPRA UrbanRebel will be the biggest project for our company in the upcoming years, since it is key for our transformation as a fully electric brand,” said Werner Tietz, Vice-President for Research & Development at CUPRA.

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“We are leading the cluster development, the family of vehicles that will democratize sustainable urban mobility, for different brands within the Volkswagen Group”, Tietz added.

So far, we know the Raval will sit on the new front-drive MEB small architecture, and likely in top trim develop 166kW, with a targeted 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds, according to Cupra. That would make it quicker than the existing Born, so outputs may change in time.

Alternatively, the Raval could end up being a more hardcore hot hatch than the Born, as a rival for Alpine's forthcoming A290. Only time will tell.

Measuring 4030mm long, the Raval’s compact size will equate to a lightweight EV – probably 1500-1600kg – likely fitted with a modest 55-60kWh battery for a targeted 440km WLTP driving range.

Along with the confirmation of the name, Cupra’s introduction drove Seat’s best first quarter ever, posting a €EU144 million operating profit. The soon-to-be-all-electric brand Cupra is aiming to sell 500,000 cars annually.