Cupra makes some of the best cars in the entire VW Group lineup, cars that are often more luxurious, faster, and more interesting to look at than their VW-badged cousins. And the little Cupra Raval EV, seen here in prototype form for the first time, wants to continue that trend. The Raval is based on the same MEB Short platform VW will use for its ID.2, and Skoda will also slide under its own small EV. However, it’s Cupra that gets first dibs on the latest tech, with the Raval scheduled for a 2025 market launch, a few months ahead of the VW-badged ID.2, putting it slightly ahead of the curve in the EV race. Even with this prototype’s busy disguise in place, it’s still possible to make out the arresting shapes we were first introduced to on the motorsport-influenced UrbanRebel concept in 2021. The design was later refined for a more production-ready concept of the same name in 2022, later renamed Raval.
The triangular headlights and
similarly-shaped air intakes below them, the large lower grille, and the almost
sports car-like slope to the hood are visible here, as is the concave panel on
the hatch below the rear window and a small diffuser panel. Not so clear from
these pictures, but seen previously in official images, is the way the bodywork
twists between the front and rear wheels, giving a pinched-waist effect and
making the Raval look far more dynamic than the ID.2.
Unlike current MEB-based VW products like
the ID.3 and ID.4 whose single-motor variants place their powertrain at the
back, the MEB Short cars have a more traditional front-engine, front-wheel
drive layout. Cupra talks about a base model having the same 223 hp as VW’s ID.2 concept and being able to rip to 100 km/h in 6.9
seconds. We understand Cupra will serve up 38 and 56 kWh battery options, the
bigger one sufficient for a 440 km range.
Cupra is also reportedly working on a
hotter, performance-focused version of the Raval, which will likely share its
powertrain components with the upcoming VW ID GTI, expected in 2026. In concept
form, the GTI showcased a dual-motor setup capable of 340 horsepower,
with an overboost function pushing it to a wild 435 hp, though it’s
unlikely the production models will retain such extreme figures. Instead, the
performance Raval could see power hover close to the 300 hp mark, potentially
allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in closer to 5 seconds.
Additionally, this sportier version could come equipped with enhanced
suspension tuning and larger brakes, providing the handling and stopping power
needed to match its increased performance. This would make the performance
Raval not just a stylish urban EV, but also a legitimate competitor among hot
hatches in its class.
Expected to be priced at around € 25,000
(US$ 28k), the Raval will be manufactured in Spain and marketed primarily in
Europe, along with select other regions. However, it won’t be part of Cupra’s
expansion into the U.S., as the brand plans to focus on SUVs and crossovers for
its American lineup.
