Cupra teases hot electric UrbanRebel for 2025 | GRR
Cupra has previewed three new electrified models to be launched between now and 2025, with the previously-seen Tavascan Concept confirmed for production along with two as yet unseen vehicles, the Terramar, Cupra’s last combustion-powered vehicle, and the UrbanRebel, Cupra’s hot supermini.
We’ll cover the UrbanRebel first because that’s what we’re most excited about. Why? Because it’s seemed lately like the supermini is a dying breed. But with the UrbanRebel and indeed the new all-electric Renault 5 in dealers by 2025, we could be in for something of a resurgence of these small cars.
So what do we get with the UrbanRebel? The car will use the Volkswagen MEB Small platform and deliver up to 273 miles of all-electric range. It’ll be front-wheel-drive with a hefty 226PS (166kW) to play with, getting to 62mph in 6.9 seconds. Dare we say it, could this be the first proper all-electric hot hatch we’ve seen? At least in concept form, perhaps so. Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths certainly puts the emphasis on the UrbanRebel being fun.
“The UrbanRebel is more than just a car to Cupra. Emotional, sexy, and fun to drive and at the same time accessible. We prove that electric cars don’t have to be boring.”
The looks of the concept also seem to suggest a car with more than urban mobility in its skillset. This is a feisty-looking little thing with a pronounced chin, a big spoiler and a sporty-looking diffuser. There’s an aggressive new lighting signature too. Footprint-wise it’s about the same length as the current Ford Fiesta. What hasn’t come back it seems is the idea of a three-door small car, with the UrbanRebel very obviously a more-door model.
What is suggested, as is expected with the Volkswagen Group, is that the UrbanRebel will be the lead sibling to a number of small EVs from other sister brands, though it’s implied Cupra is leading development.
“We are leading the cluster development, the family of vehicles that will democratise sustainable urban mobility, for different brands within the Volkswagen Group”, said Werner Tietz, Vice-President for Research & Development at Cupra.
The Terramar is a much larger beast, but no less attractive, and here sooner in 2024, following the arrival of the Tavascan. Cupra proved with the Formentor they can make crossovers and SUVs look great and the Terramar is no exception. Roughly Audi Q5-sized, the Terramar will have a plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of delivering around 62 miles of all-electric driving. Petrol-only versions will also be available, presumably only until the ban of 2030.
It seems it’ll be a sibling to the next-generation hybrid Q5, given it’ll be built at the Gyor Audi plant in Hungary. The marque makes no secret of the fact the Terramar is expected to be a chief moneyspinner, "moving the company to the hot spot of the SUV segment".
What do you think of Cupra’s trio of new models? Are you excited for the next era of small cars to be upon us? We certainly are.