The all-electric Tavascan VZ sets the stage for a new tribe of Cupra models
The Cupra is the “rebel” in the VW Group, and this is not just in name, but also by nature, especially if the Tavascan VZ is any indication.
It is always admirable for the individual brands under the group’s umbrella to imbue their cars with a distinct personality, and the Cupra is no exception.
As the brand’s first electric crossover-coupe, the 340hp Tavascan VZ — “VZ” is the brand’s designation for the dual-motor, all-wheel driven variant — heralds a new era for the Cupra, because it will form the basis for coming models from the Barcelona-based brand.
Designed and engineered in Spain, the Cupra has injected plenty of emotion into its electrification efforts with the Tavascan.
For starters, this natural disruptor wears a striking design language that stays true to the 2019 concept car, with suitably sporty proportions and aesthetic nuances that underscore the Tavascan’s performance credentials.
The eyes are the windows to the soul and there is no mistaking the Tavascan’s matrix LED and signature three-triangle headlights for anything else. The rear features a continuation of this Cupra lighting concept, which echoes the same three-triangle aesthetics as the front.
Thanks to the tasteful fusion of ambient lighting, materials, shapes and decorative copper accents, the cabin is every bit as dramatic as its exterior, with a floating centre spine that serves as an elegant focal point for one’s admiring gaze. Lovely details abound, thanks to the eclectic use of different textured elements, such as a 3D parametric mesh and various sustainable materials.
The cabin never feels overly digital, as it boasts a compelling mix of tactile and haptic. Many of the Tavascan’s main features and infotainment are controlled via the 15-inch central touchscreen, but operation is intuitive and frazzle-free.
The fireworks start to fly when you are on the move, and the VZ can be hustled with a brisk turn of pace, as the all-wheel drivetrain works to deliver maximum grip in all conditions. The chassis is engineered to remain composed regardless of whether one is cruising or crushing it, with the added versatility of adjusting the damping via the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) function should the need arise.
With a raft of internal combustion engine models inbound to Singapore by the time you read this, the brand is set to offer a diverse range of powertrain solutions to ensure there are many paths through which one can be inducted into the Cupra tribe.
