New Cupra models coming: Tavascan, Terramar and updates for Born, Leon and Formentor

What’s coming down the line from the VW Group's so-called ‘unconventional challenger brand’?

Cupra is off to a fast start in Australia with the Barcelona-based brand offering stylish compact cars and SUVs that stand out from their related VW counterparts.

But Cupra is a young brand that's moving fast. That means there are updates coming to unify the range stylistically, as well as some all-new models that will offer intriguing alternatives to VW, Skoda and Audi counterparts.

Let’s check out what’s coming next from Cupra.

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JUMP AHEAD

• Born update
• Leon update - with Sportstourer wagon?
• Formentor update
• Tavascan EV
• Terramar SUV
• Raval small EV

Cupra Born update

The eye-catching twin to the VW ID.3 electric hatch will make its debut in late 2024, likely bringing interior changes such as tweaks to the infotainment system.

Cupra has shown new multimedia technology in the form of a 15-inch touchscreen with revised controls, a new menu structure with a permanent climate control ‘bar’ along the bottom of the screen, and faster processors.

That might make it to the Born, but even if it doesn’t it is expected there will be changes to the current 12-inch unit, not to mention some revisions to the interior plastics, finishes, and touch capacitive buttons.

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You will also see changes to the Born's front-end styling, with fresh headlights bearing the brand’s new signature triangular inlay look. Some tweaks to the rear lighting may also show up.

Nothing is confirmed as yet for the powertrain or battery capacity, but the rear-mounted electric motor could possibly be switched out for a higher output unit. The VW Group has, for instance, shown off a new 210kW/545Nm rear motor, which will be seen in some models from 2024 onwards.

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Cupra Leon update - with Sportstourer wagon?

Another model due for some changes is the Leon hatchback, and the smaller five-door model is likely to be joined by a long-roof Sportstourer locally in 2024.

At the time of publishing, Cupra’s Australian arm has indicated a pair of high-spec models – the VZe plug-in hybrid, and the 228kW 228kW VZx. The VZx Sportstourer is also all-wheel drive, unlike the FWD VZx hatch.

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In other words, it’d be the ideal replacement for the axed VW Golf R wagon, while the PHEV model would stand out as the only vehicle of that type to be offered under the VW Group umbrella.

The timing for the launch of the Leon Sportstourer, if it gets signed off, is expected to align with a facelift for the entire model line, with a new-look front end to bring the Leon more into line with the standalone Cupra models. You’ll see new lights with a triangular inlay theme, and you might also find some small changes to the interior and the media systems on offer.

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Cupra Formentor update

The popular Formentor midsize SUV is going to fall into line with the rest of the range with a new-look front end. You can expect it to arrive in Australia late in 2024.

Formentor was the first standalone Cupra creation, having launched in Europe in 2020. As such, the update for it is a big moment for the brand, and as with the other models seeing styling changes for 2024 and beyond, you will see a new nose treatment with

The changes for the new-look Formentor will also run inside the cabin, with adjustments expected for the multimedia interface.

Don’t expect big changes to the powertrains on offer, with the company stating that it is currently happy with the mix of models sold in Australia.

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Cupra Tavascan EV

The all-new Tavascan electric coupe-style SUV crossover model is due to go on sale in Australia in 2025.

If you squint you might recognise some lines from the related VW ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq Coupe models, but it is very much its own car in terms of styling and design.

One other interesting thing to note about Tavascan is that it confirms the brand’s future colour choice intentions. There are six hues available, all of them darker shades including blues and greys designed to accentuate Cupra's trademark copper highlights.

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There's no white or red paint in the Tavascan's palette, though there has been in past Cupra. Expect the muted colours to stick around.

It's likely that Australia will receive more than one variant of the Tavascan, meaning possibly a single-motor RWD version (210kW/545Nm) and a dual-motor AWD model (with 250kW).

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Cupra Terramar SUV

This will be Cupra's final foray into internal combustion power, with the midsize SUV offering a more conventional take than the Tavascan.

The circa-4.5 metre long Terramar could be on sale in Australia in 2025, though it is not expected to arrive on our shores until late that year or early 2026.

Buyers can expect a roomy cabin and bigger boot than the Tavascan with Tiguan-like practicality inside. You won’t see an Allspace three-row model though, with Cupra boss Wayne Griffiths indicating that seven-seaters aren’t cool enough to be Cupras.

There will likely also be some Tiguan-derived powertrain choices; a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder is almost certain, while a plug-in hybrid version with up to 100 kilometres of EV driving range may also be offered.

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Cupra Raval small EV

Cupra is leading the development of the small front-wheel drive electric car platform (MEB Small) that underpins a production version of the Raval, as well as the ID.2, ID.2 X, and Skoda’s take on the tiny EV.

It's essentially the VW Up all over again, but this time electric – that program spun off the Seat Mii, Skoda Citigo and multiple takes on the VW model itself including a GTI.

Each brand will have its own take on the platform, with the Raval’s distinctive styling and high outputs likely to set it out as the most assertive and edgy of the four models to be spun off the line.

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In fact, Sven Schuwirth, chief operating officer of Cupra, told Whichcar that the Raval concept at the 2023 IAA motor show was “more than 90 per cent” representative of what the production car would look like.

It is understood that the brand is assessing the merits of a small EV in Australia. The local market is moving fast in the ‘affordable electric’ space following the launch of value-focused cars like the MG4, BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora hatchbacks.

Could it be a very literal case of too little, too late? Time will tell.

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