Cupra’s new Terramar SUV includes 100-km range plug-in hybrid

Cupra, a Volkswagen Group brand, has revealed the new Terramar. Unlike the brand’s new Tavascan, the new mid-size SUV isn’t electric. It shares its platform and powertrains with the new VW Tiguan, including a new plug-in hybrid powertrain with up to 100 km of range.

The Tavascan, designed in Spain but built in China and exported from there, is threatened to become ‘unsaleable’. In an interview with Reuters, Wayne Griffiths, CEO of Cupra, admitted that the new European tariffs on Chinese imports could “wipe out” the Tavascan. As Cupra would be charged a 21,3% import tariff, Griffiths fears the tax that is supposed to protect European brands will rather kill them off.

The new Cupra Terramar is an indirect replacement for the Cupra/Seat Ateca and Seat Tarraco. It has space for the family and a large 540-litre boot. Currently, there are no plans for a 7-seater version.

Bland SUV turned to sport.y

In the manned of its predecessors, the new Cupra Terramar is the Spanish penchant of the Volkswagen Tiguan. Except this time, the newcomer isn’t just a badge-engineering job. The Terramar is a whole new vehicle developed by Cupra in Spain. Sitting on VW’s MQB Evo platform, it features a sporty look with triangular LED headlamps and a full light bar at the rear.

Its design features the same cues as the recently updated Formentor and the new electric Tavascan. The nose is sharp, the bumpers are sporty and feature many air intakes, and the launch color has a sporty mat finish. Of course, there’s also an illuminated logo, which seems to become Cupra’s signature.

Petrol, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid

Under that sporty-looking skin, the Terramar shares most of its components with the new Volkswagen Tiguan and the Passat, for that matter. There’s a mix of petrol mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. It all starts with the mild-hybrid 1.5-liter 4-cylinder producing 150 hp. One step above is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 265 hp, with all-wheel-drive.

Finally, the current top of the range is the plug-in hybrid variant. It uses VW’s most powerful version of the new electrified powertrain, combining a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine with an electric motor to provide 272 hp. Thanks to a lar19.7-kWhkWh battery, the Terramar eHybrid offers more than 100 km of electric range.

Screens and recycled fishing lines

Inside, the new Cupra Terramar presents a rather conventional dashboard than the Tavascan’s funky center spine. It features a large, 12,9-inch touchscreen as standard. Unfortunately, it also features fiddly touch-sensitive sliders for the sound and climate underneath.

There’s also a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, enough space for five adults, and a sizeable 540-liter boot. However, the plug-in hybrid model’s battery reduces that space to 400 liters. Finally, Cupra doesn’t forget sustainability. Seats are upholstered with Seaqual fabric, mafrom of 100% recycled fishing lines, Dinamica, mafrom of 73% recycled textile, or plant-treated leather.

Savior for Cupra in Europe?

In Belgium, the Cupra Terramar will be available from 46 300 € to 56 850 € for the 272-hp plug-in hybrid version. Despite being more expensive than the VW Tiguan, the new Terramar might soon become Cupra’s most popular model.

It offers enough space for the whole family and the sporty design young parents crave, not only because it sits in a popular segment. Also, its electric brother, the Tavascan, is in muddy waters.