New Cupra Raval Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

VW is the master of scaling platforms and technology across its many and various brands, Cupra’s new twist on the ID.Cross Concept and Skoda Epiq yet again proving the Spanish brand’s knack for making more stylish use of shared bits. Built on VW’s new and more affordable MEB+ foundations, the Raval combines a punchy starting price with smart looks and a range of battery and performance combinations to suit any taste and budget.
• The Raval will be Cupra’s entry-level electric car but has all the style of its bigger siblings • Built on VW’s new front-driven MEB+ platform, the Raval benefits from shared technology with the VW ID.Cross Concept and Skoda Epiq • Two battery options will be available across the four-model line-up, power increasing as you work your way up • Best-case range is claimed as 280 miles for the bigger of the battery options • The Raval goes on sale this summer • A starting price of just under £24,000 for the base Origin trim level looks competitive

Volkswagen has always used the economies of scale through sharing its technology across the various brands in its stable, the all-electric MEB platform introduced on the VW ID.3 now featuring across Cupra, Skoda and Audi in many and various forms. This new MEB+ platform puts the power to the front wheels and underpins a new and more affordable family of electric cars like the Raval and its VW ID.Cross Concept and Skoda Epiq equivalents. In typical Cupra style the Raval has a sportier, more dynamic style with its slash-cut bodywork and bucket seats standing out against its relatives. The model range starts at under £24,000 with the Origin, progressing through V1 and V2 and to the top-of-the-line VZ.

In the modern style screens dominate your interface with the car, the Raval combining a digital instrument cluster with large central display. Thankfully Cupra’s VW masters have been listening to criticism of the previous ‘haptic’ controls and the buttons on the steering wheel are once again physical rather than touch-operated, additional ‘satellite’ buttons familiar from others in the range offering shortcuts to driving modes and adjustable regenerative braking. Funky looking sports seats meanwhile match the sharp exterior looks.

Apologies for the number crunching but there’s a bit to get your head around, given the choice of 37kWh or 52kWh battery packs with different power outputs according to trim level. Base Origin spec is restricted to the smaller battery, V1 and V2 offer the choice of both according to need with up to 210 horsepower while the VZ gets the bigger battery only, in this case with 225 horsepower. Best for range are the V1 or V2 with the bigger battery, this claiming 280 miles by official figures.

Bottom-line price is less relevant these days given most people pay monthly on a finance or lease deal but it still matters as a direct comparison between different brands. As such the sub-£24,000 starting price for the base-spec Origin Raval is a good start, and joins its cousins from VW and Skoda in making electric cars more accessible than ever.

Cupra’s OG electric model the Born gets an update soon but the Raval will be the real focus for its affordability.

The Raval and related VW ID.Cross Concept and Skoda Epiq may come from the same overall master brand but will compete keenly on price and spec, joining similar new affordable electric models like the Kia EV2 and more like them. All of which is good news if you were thinking of going electric but put off by the previously high cost of entry.