Cupra is switching to electromobility faster than its sister brand Seat. The Spaniards, who rely on sporty cars, are currently working on three vehicles, including two fully electric ones: a small car and a medium-sized SUV. In addition to the new e-cars and the compact Born electric car that is already available, large full-electric vehicles could also be included in the range.
Cupra is not only aiming for electrification but also for global expansion. The sporty brand of Volkswagen Group is planning a series of larger vehicles aimed at the North American market, Autocar reports. The company wants to use them to enter the lucrative US market by 2030. CEO Wayne Griffiths confirmed that these vehicles would be based on the forthcoming Volkswagen Group platform SSP (Scalable Systems Platform). They are scheduled to start towards the end of the decade.
"We are currently testing the brand there. We think Americans will love Cupra's design and performance," Griffiths said. However, he added that the investment to make cars fit for America is significant and that Cupra needs to be stronger in Europe first and make sure it has done its homework.
Cupra does not want to bring the Born, its first fully electric model, to America because the brand sees interest in larger electric cars in particular. The company boss said this can be implemented with the SSP, which is still a few years away. The SSP will be a unified platform for all Volkswagen Group brands and will support both combustion and electric powertrains.
The Born, which is based on the MEB platform and shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen ID.3, is a compact hatchback that offers up to 335 miles (540 km) of range and up to 231 hp of power. It is expected to go on sale in Europe later this year, starting from around 37,000 euros.
In addition to the Born, Cupra is working on two other electric models: a small car and a medium-sized SUV. The small car will be based on the MEB Entry platform and will share its design with the Cupra UrbanRebel concept that was unveiled at the Munich Motor Show earlier this month. It will be built at Seat's Martorell plant near Barcelona, together with a similar model for the VW brand.
The medium-sized SUV will be based on the MEB platform and will share its design with the Cupra Tavascan concept that was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019. It will be built at Volkswagen's Zwickau plant in Germany, together with a similar model for Audi.
Both models are expected to launch in 2024 and will expand Cupra's electric portfolio. The brand aims to become an all-electric brand by 2030 and to sell more than 500,000 cars a year globally.
Cupra was launched as a standalone brand in 2018 and has since grown rapidly in Europe and other markets such as Mexico and Israel. The brand offers sporty versions of Seat models such as the Leon, Ateca, and Cupra Formentor, as well as its own models such as the Cupra Born and the upcoming electric cars.
Cupra's electric ambition reflects Volkswagen Group's overall strategy of becoming the global market leader in e-mobility by 2025 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The group expects to sell more than 1 million fully electric vehicles this year and to increase its EV share to over 50% by 2030.
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