Cupra considering large SUV, dedicated sports car with electric power

Volkswagen-owned Spanish car maker Cupra is considering plans for a large SUV and a dedicated sports car, with the view of expanding into the US market and growing its global sales.

The Cupra range currently consists of various small hatchbacks and SUVs, however company boss Wayne Griffiths told Australian media a larger electric SUV aimed at the US market and an electric sports car are under consideration for global sale.

Timing has not been given for the arrival of these models — and they are yet to be green-lit for showrooms — however they are not expected until at least five years from now, or no earlier than 2028.

This is just four years after its final new model with petrol power launches – and two years before Cupra plans to go electric-only globally.

The executive also confirm next generations of the Leon hatchback and Formentor coupe-style SUV will be electric, when they arrive in the second half of the decade.

Cupra has identified the US as one of its next stops for international expansion – after launching in Australia last year – but Mr Griffiths has warned a US launch is yet to be green-lit, and it is still conducting market research.

The executive said the company would need a range of models to sell in the US – not just one car – tailored for US tastes, and it would use a similar fixed-price sales model to Australia.

"If we're looking to go to the US, we need cars that can work in the US. I think it would be a mistake, and a lot of manufacturers have made that mistake, going with European-design cars and trying to make them work in the US, because the US has specific requirements," said Mr Griffiths.

"So you're right that we would need a bigger car. And the bigger car, it would also have to be an SUV, I think, because that's what the US customers want.

"We've just been doing some research with customers in the US to see how they react to our brand and design and we haven't finished the report yet, but the first results are positive. ... If we go there, we're going to be a niche, a very focused brand, very focused on certain cities and regions."

Meanwhile, it is unclear how the Cupra sports car – if it is green-lit – would be positioned, however Mr Griffiths told media Cupra does not want to be seen as a "luxury" brand, saying "we have plenty of brands in the Volkswagen Group that do luxury and premium cars."

This suggests the vehicle would be a closer rival for a Mazda MX-5, Toyota GR86 or upcoming MG Cyberster electric roadster, rather than a challenger for Porsche, Alpine, Lotus or Maserati.

"If we were to do different cars, it would be cars that are in line with our brand and our brand DNA. And therefore [if] we're talking additional cars or new models, I would bet on a sports car, for instance," Mr Griffiths told Australian media.

"Which you like in Australia as well, by the way. I know you like sports cars as well. So, sorry I can't do a ute, but there may be at some point in the future, a chance of a nice sports car from Cupra."

"I really have thrown the tape out... No thank you, no [more] sports car questions. You'll get me in a lot of trouble!"

The larger SUV and sports car would be battery-electric, as Cupra's last new petrol-powered car is due to launch in Europe next year, or in Australia in 2025, the Terramar SUV.

Mr Griffiths indicated the new sports car and large SUV would be global vehicles, built in right-hand drive for markets such as Australia.

"If we do a [large car], an additional model in that direction, then it would be a car that we would want to sell globally and not just in the US market," the Cupra executive told media.

Despite the focus on the US market – where pick-ups (utes) are the best-selling vehicles in the country, like Australia – Mr Griffiths confirmed there are no plans for a Cupra ute.

"We wouldn't be looking at a pick-up ... because the Volkswagen Group has just made announcements on huge investments in a new electric brand in the US for pick-ups, Scout," he said.

The executive said the SUV would be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group's next-generation electric-car platform known as SSP, which is due mid-decade beneath a range of future Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche models.

"[The larger US-centric vehicle] would be on the base of the next generation of electric cars, the SSP platform," said Mr Griffiths.

"Because we are on our own in the US, it's going to be really difficult to be viable, so we would be looking to use group synergies in terms of platforms and ... in terms of manufacturing – particularly with the Inflation Act in the US now, if you want to be competitive.

"But the car that we would do for the US would also be a great car for you guys in Australia, I think."

It would sit at the top of a Cupra electric-car line-up which by the middle of this decade will expand to include the Born small hatchback, UrbanRebel (or Raval) city hatchback and the Tavascan mid-size SUV.

The Born and Tavascan are based on the Volkswagen Group's ubiquitous MEB electric platform with rear- or all-wheel drive while the UrbanRebel/Raval is slated to use a cheaper version of MEB dubbed MEB Entry, with front-wheel drive and a targeted starting price of €25,000 ($AU40,000).

Speaking further on the US plans, Mr Griffiths said: "At the moment, it's still very early days. And I have to be careful on the US because I'm going to have everybody in Volkswagen all over me ... We haven't decided anything yet. We are pushing for it, as you can see.

"But at the end of the day, we have to get the support of the Volkswagen Group and they have to prioritise this. Because going to the US with the brand is a big decision in terms of developing cars, getting the cars ready for US ... but also in terms of the investment you have to make to go into that market."