Driving a great car can transform an ordinary working day into something altogether more, well, extraordinary. Whether the priority is to have something high-tech, high-performance or high-quality, being behind the wheel of a stylish, innovative car makes work journeys so much more interesting and rewarding. And, as any fleet decision-maker will attest, the car must be appealing to drive, along with its capability.
CUPRA’s Tavascan – named after a village in the Catalan Pyrenees – is a case in point. The Spanish manufacturer has never been known for following the herd, preferring to plot its own path through the evolving automotive landscape. This approach is reflected in this new model – its first fully electric SUV coupe, which launches in the UK this month, and is part of the brand’s expanded electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (EV/PHEV) range.
Feelgood factor
If you drive regularly for work, your car matters. In addition to being an extension of our professional image, what we drive can also affect how we feel, whether that’s confident, composed and ready for that meeting following a straightforward journey, or fraught and frazzled after a troubled trip.
In terms of looks, the Tavascan immediately stands out. Sharp and stylish, its disruptive design – with distinctive headlights that incorporate CUPRA’s arresting new three-triangle eye signature – blends the traditional qualities of an SUV with the classic contours of a coupe.
“The Tavascan is the embodiment of the CUPRA DNA, with its sporty performance and premium design,” says Ben Smith, product manager for the company’s newest electric model. “It has a really strong road presence, from its distinctive ‘shark nose’ front end and illuminated logo to its 3D-effect brake lights.”
The interior environment is similarly reflective of the car’s strong personality, with an unconventional central spine extending to the driver-centric display, which itself has been carefully angled for a more enveloping experience. Plant-based materials, including hemp and flax, are used to construct components that contribute towards a lighter vehicle, and yarn made from recycled marine plastic is used in bucket seats.
A smoother commute
When drivers are regularly on the go, advanced technology features designed to make journeys that bit easier can make a big difference. And the Tavascan – available in either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive spec and with a choice of four different trim levels – does not disappoint. The intuitive Trained Park Assist, for example, memorises trajectories to help with tricky manoeuvres, while Remote Park Assist enables mobile-controlled parking in tight spots.
CUPRA has similarly integrated its next-generation technology in its safety features. Worth noting is the semi-autonomous Travel Assist – a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane assist fed by cloud-based data – emergency braking, the manufacturer’s Matrix LED lighting system and an augmented reality head-up display that projects information and notifications on to the windscreen in real time.
Factor in functions such as voice recognition and smartphone integration, and all the ingredients are firmly in place for a seamless commute.
“The Tavascan is a very driver-oriented car, with its central spine, ambient lighting and sporty touches creating an immersive driving experience. It also comes with a suite of assistance technologies as standard – from remote charging and heating to connected parking aids – contributing to a hassle-free commute,” says Smith.
Putting the driver first
Comfort is non-negotiable for those often on the road, and the Tavascan has premium touches throughout its cabin. Customisable ambient lighting, for example, can help you to gear up for the day ahead or wind down on the journey back home, while the 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system creates an immersive music experience.
Performance, obviously, is also all-important. Befitting of a brand whose road cars have been honed by success on the racetrack, when you climb into the Tavascan, you know you are settling in for a spirited driving experience. As its sporty exterior might suggest, this car doesn’t hang about. With its electric twin motors generating a combined 250 kW (340PS), 62 mph is reached in a fraction more than five seconds in all-wheel-drive “VZ” spec.
The Dynamic Chassis Control system and progressive steering, meanwhile, enable the driver to select their own driving style in keeping with their mood, route and road conditions, whether that’s motorway Monday, traffic-heavy Tuesday or early-finish Friday.
Oh, and 540 litres of boot space reminds you that while this is a sporty SUV, practicality hasn’t been overlooked.
Impressive range for CUPRA’s range-topper
Speaking of practicality, a major consideration – for drivers and fleet decision-makers – is electric range. In keeping with its status as CUPRA’s new range-topper, the Tavascan offers up to 352 miles1 on a single charge, while recharging from 10-80% is possible in as little as 28 minutes with a 135kW charger². That leaves more time to enjoy the car’s many attributes. Like driving it.
And if you want to find out for yourself, business and fleet managers can take advantage of an extended test drive of up to five days – after which, CUPRA reckons, you’ll be sold.
Discover how the CUPRA Tavascan can help your business and its drivers embrace an electric future
1 Official test (WLTP) electric range for Tavascan V1. Test data obtained under standardised conditions after the battery had been fully charged (to 100%). The Tavascan V1 is a battery electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. Figures shown are for comparability purposes. Only compare electric range figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles, route conditions, speed, vehicle and battery age and vehicle load. Data correct at November 2024.
2 Charging times will depend on various factors, including temperature, state of the battery, state of and capabilities of the charging unit and power supply. Actual charging time will vary depending on the level of charge in the battery, as well as environmental conditions. Charging times will also be affected by the charging curve for example once charging passes 80%, charging will slow to protect the battery’s longevity. The availability of the maximum electrical output could be limited. The amount of power available in individual driving situations depends on various factors, such as ambient temperature and the charge status, temperature and condition or physical age of the high-voltage battery. The availability of [150kWh and 350kWh] chargers is currently limited in the UK. They are mainly located on selected motorways and major arterial routes. These chargers are not currently available in Northern Ireland and numbers are low in Scotland, Wales and rural parts of England. Please see https://www.zap-map.com/live/ for further details.
