EV destined for China has been restyled with a brand new nostril and tail and shall be bought as a VW, not a Cupra
https://www.carscoops.com/writer/chris-chilton-cc/
by Chris Chilton
4 hours in the past
The comparatively new Cupra model is a rising star in VW’s empire, posting massive gross sales leaps in Europe, sidelining the Seat model that spawned it and even being thought-about for launch in North America. One place it received’t be heading that would have actually remodeled its gross sales numbers is China, however simply because the Cupra identify isn’t sure for China, doesn’t imply its fashions aren’t.
Earlier this yr we reported that VW plans to promote the Cupra Tavascan SUV coupe in China underneath a brand new VW sub-brand, and we’ve simply noticed the Spanish EV testing in Germany earlier than it makes its approach to China. In typical VW prototype model, this one has loads of black tape utilized to its bodywork, however not sufficient to stop us confirming that it’s a Tavascan, or the styling tweaks the design staff has added to arrange it for its Asian journey.
Beginning on the entrance, there’s extra body-color paint on the bumper than on the Cupra-badged Tavascan, whose face is nearly utterly black. And talking of badges, as an alternative of the triangular-shaped Cupra emblem, this automobile has spherical badges, and it seems like we are able to nearly make out the VW emblem on the one on the entrance. The China-bound EV additionally has completely different headlights to the Cupra that appear like they may be related by a lightweight bar beneath the hood.
commercial scroll to proceed
Associated: Cupra’s Electrical 2024 Tavascan Debuts As An ID.5 With Spanish Aptitude
The decrease bumper consumption is new, and the splitter rises upwards within the heart, the wheels are completely different and there are additionally new lights and bumpers on the again. Sadly this set of photographs doesn’t give us a glance inside, however hopefully the putting dashboard with its Y-shaped console construction and 15-inch touchscreen hasn’t been toned down an excessive amount of.
Beneath the pores and skin the European-market Tavascan shares the identical MEB platform and fundamental motor and battery setup as its VW ID cousins, which suggests a 77 kWh battery and a selection of 1 motor with 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS) or two, offering all-wheel drive and 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS).
We’ll have to attend to see precisely which powertrain choices VW makes accessible to Chinese language consumers when the automobile goes on sale subsequent yr, however we’re much more fascinated to understand how VW will market the Tavascan there with a VW badge when it already sells the ID.5.
