CUPRA Raval Revealed: Electrifying Urban Spirit Meets Bold Design
CUPRA Raval Revealed: Electrifying Urban Spirit Meets Bold Design
By Tom Martinez — SEAT CUPRA Guide
Published: September 2025
CUPRA has taken center stage at the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich with the unveiling of the CUPRA Raval, its upcoming all-electric urban car. Presented during the Volkswagen Group’s pre-show event on September 7th, the camouflaged production model gave audiences a first glimpse of what promises to become one of the most dynamic and accessible electric cars in Europe.
“The CUPRA Raval is now shaping our future. Because with it, we’ve brought together everything CUPRA stands for: emotion, striking design, electrifying performance and, as always, driver focus,” said Markus Haupt, Interim CEO of CUPRA.
A New Era of Urban Electrification
The CUPRA Raval will make its world premiere and market launch in 2026, marking the beginning of CUPRA’s journey into the Electric Urban Car family — a key initiative led from Spain within the Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Core.
This family of four vehicles, starting with the CUPRA Raval and followed by the Volkswagen ID.Polo, will be built at Martorell and is designed to democratize electric mobility, making it accessible to millions across Europe.
“For us, the CUPRA Raval is more than a car,” Haupt added. “We are proud to lead this project from Spain, turning the country into a hub for electric mobility.”
Inspired by Barcelona’s Heartbeat
The CUPRA Raval draws its name and energy from El Raval — one of Barcelona’s most vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhoods. The camouflaged car displayed in Munich carried a vinyl wrap patterned after El Raval’s street map, a design tribute that mirrors the district’s raw energy, movement, and fearless attitude.
CUPRA describes the Raval as a car “born to stand out and challenge convention.” Compact yet confident, it channels the same restless creativity that defines its namesake district.
Design and Dynamics
Built on Volkswagen’s MEB+ platform, the CUPRA Raval measures 4,046 mm long, 1,784 mm wide, and 1,518 mm high, with a 2,600 mm wheelbase — proportions that promise agility without compromising practicality. The model features front-wheel drive and has been tuned for genuine driver engagement, not just urban efficiency.
Every version of the Raval delivers CUPRA’s distinctive performance DNA, including:
- A sport chassis lowered by 15 mm
- Fine-tuned suspension for precision handling
- Progressive steering for responsiveness
- ESC Sport mode for dynamic control
At the top of the range, the CUPRA Raval VZ (166 kW) elevates performance with:
- CUPBucket seats
- DCC Sport adaptive suspension
- ESC OFF mode
- 19-inch wheels wrapped in 235 mm wide tyres
- VAQ electronic slip differential
These features collectively transform the compact EV into a true driver’s car — “a car made for people who love to drive, not just be driven,” as CUPRA notes.
Technology and Everyday Usability
Beyond performance, the Raval incorporates advanced technology usually reserved for higher vehicle segments. Highlights include:
- Two battery sizes and multiple power outputs
- Travel Assist with lane change and traffic light recognition
- Intelligent Park Assist
- 360° Area View camera
- Standard DC fast-charging capability
These systems reinforce CUPRA’s philosophy that electric mobility can be exciting, intelligent, and effortlessly usable in daily life.
Electrifying the Future
With the Raval’s production beginning soon at Martorell, CUPRA strengthens its role in Spain’s transformation into an electric-mobility hub. The Raval represents not only a new model but also CUPRA’s eighth vehicle and coincides with its eighth anniversary in 2026.
As CUPRA approaches one million deliveries, the Raval’s arrival underscores the brand’s growing momentum and ambition — blending Barcelona-born design, Volkswagen Group engineering, and driver-centric performance.
Key Technical Data (Pre-production Forecast*)
SpecificationValuePlatformMEB+DriveFront-wheel driveLength4,046 mmWidth1,784 mmHeight1,518 mmWheelbase2,600 mm
*Figures subject to change before final production.
The CUPRA Raval will be showcased publicly at CUPRA’s Open Space on September 8th, from 20:00 to 23:00 CEST.
With this striking urban EV, CUPRA once again proves that electrification can carry emotion, character, and performance — not just efficiency.
Tom Martinez
Tom Martinez is a lifelong car enthusiast with over a decade of hands-on experience working with SEAT and CUPRA vehicles. As the founder and lead writer at SEAT CUPRA Guide, Tom shares practical DIY tutorials, maintenance advice, and performance tips to help SEAT and CUPRA owners get the best out of their cars. When he's not under the hood or testing the latest upgrades, you’ll find him cruising the backroads of Spain in his CUPRA Formentor.