Cupra expansion plans in Australia to hit top gear next year

The Spanish offshoot of German car giant Volkswagen will double the number of models it offers in Australia from next year – and double the number of showrooms – as the company doubles-down on its commitment to the local market.

The next all-new model to arrive is the Cupra Tavascan electric SUV – a Tesla Model Y rival – which has been brought forward to December this year.

That means it will be here about the same time it is due on sale in Europe, in large part because the vehicle is being sourced from China, which makes shipping times shorter.

Pricing is yet to be announced but early estimates peg a starting price somewhere between $60,000 and $80,000.

The roster of additional or new models to be added to the Cupra line-up in Australia include:

• Cupra Ateca V (entry level small SUV)
• Cupra Born VZ (250kW RWD hot hatch)
• Updated Cupra Leon hatch
• Update Cupra Formentor SUV
• Addition of Cupra Leon Sportstourer (wagon)
• All-new Cupra Terramar large SUV

The Cupra Tavascan (pictured throughout this story) will initially be available in two model grades in Australia:

• VZ grade (AWD)
• 250kW/545Nm
• 0-100kmh 5.5 seconds
• 77kWh battery pack
• 499km driving range

• Endurance grade (RWD)
• 210kW/545Nm
• 0-100kmh 6.8 seconds
• 77kWh battery pack
• 534km driving range

Key feature highlights include:

• First car with Cupra’s new design signature three triangles in headlights
• New triangular tail-light design
• Illuminated tail-light logo
• Supercar-style interior with premium materials and ‘floating spine’ centre console
• Sennheiser premium audio (12 speaker, 425W amplifier)

Cupra Australia has already opened an “expressions of interest” page on its website, however order books won’t open until close to the on-sale date.

Celebrating its two-year anniversary in Australia, Cupra has delivered more than 6000 vehicles since it opened its doors locally and currently has 12 points of sale and 14 service centres.

But the company plans to have at least 20 showrooms by the end of 2025 and aims to deliver as many cars in Australia next year as it has done over the past two years.

Included in its tally of 6000 sales so far, Cupra Australia has also delivered 1000 plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Even though Australian tax incentives for plug-in hybrid cars will be phased out from April next year, Cupra says it has no plans to scale back its PHEV offerings locally.