• The Martorell plant has adapted nearly 160,000 m² for the production of electric cars, consolidating its position as the epicentre of future mobility
• Involving more than 90 suppliers and 110 production plants, Spain plays a key role in the industrial ecosystem supporting the development of the Volkswagen Group Brand Group Core’s urban electric car family, led by SEAT & CUPRA

2026 will be a decisive year for SEAT & CUPRA. The company is approaching the final phase of its transformation, which will culminate in the launch of the CUPRA Raval, the first 100% electric vehicle produced in Martorell. Driven by the ambition to lead urban electric mobility, SEAT & CUPRA is preparing for the series production of the first model in the family of urban electric cars that the Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Core will produce in Spain.

“We are entering a historic year. In Martorell, the epicentre of future mobility, we are in the final phase of series production of the CUPRA Raval, the car that will mark the beginning of a new era for the brand. We are proud to be leading the urban electric car project from Spain on behalf of the Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Core. We have transformed our facilities, trained our teams, and optimized our processes to make this possible. Today, the goal of driving electromobility in Europe from the Iberian Peninsula is closer than ever.”
Markus Haupt, CEO of SEAT & CUPRA

MARTORELL ACCELERATES TOWARDS ELECTRIC MOBILITY
SEAT & CUPRA continues to advance in its industrial transformation and is taking the final steps before series production of the CUPRA Raval. This last stage of the industrialisation process, known as series 0, allows the Production team to thoroughly validate processes and quality standards before series production.

As part of its transformation, the company has adapted an area of around 160,000 m² at its Martorell plant for the production of electric vehicles, renovating Production Line 1, incorporating 1,000 new robots in the bodywork phase and installing 60 component stamping dies, including the new PXL press. Four new body colours have also been developed for this family of vehicles.

Added to this is the recent launch of the 600-meter automated bridge connecting the battery system assembly plant, inaugurated in December, with Line 1 of the assembly workshop. This system, located at a height of five meters, ensures a continuous and efficient flow of batteries directly to the production line.

“We are in the final stages of our industrial transformation, verifying and optimising the operation of our facilities, which are already a benchmark in the sector. Martorell continues to evolve and, with the arrival of the new electric models, will consolidate its position as the epicentre of future mobility: a flexible factory capable of producing 100% electric, hybrid and efficient combustion models for different Volkswagen Group brands, ready to face the challenges of the future. This project reflects the extraordinary collaboration between the SEAT & CUPRA teams in Martorell and Volkswagen Navarra, who have worked together to drive a transformation that positions the Group at the forefront of European electromobility.”
André Kleb, Chief Production Officer (CPO) for the Iberian Peninsula for the Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Core

LEADING THE WAY TOWARDS THE NEW URBAN ELECTRIC ERA
SEAT & CUPRA leads the cluster for the development of the family of urban electric cars for the Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Core, which includes four models from three different brands, all manufactured in Spain: the CUPRA Raval and Volkswagen ID. Polo at the Martorell factory, and the Skoda Epiq and Volkswagen ID. Cross at the Volkswagen Navarra facilities.

To carry out this project, the teams at SEAT & CUPRA and Volkswagen Navarra have worked closely together and have already completed more than 560,000 hours of training as part of the transformation towards electrification. With the ambition of leading electromobility in Europe, this project represents a major investment for the development of the models and the entire value chain. Spain is home to more than 90 suppliers and 110 production plants, which together account for 70% of the cost of materials awarded, consolidating the country as a key pillar in the project’s industrial ecosystem.

The CUPRA Raval will be the first model in this family to hit the roads. Its launch marks the beginning of a new era for the brand and the birth of a vehicle segment that will redefine the rules of electrification. SEAT & CUPRA continues to move forward in bringing sustainable mobility closer to drivers and building a better future for the next generations.

Martorell, 27-05-2025 – The CUPRA Tavascan intensifies its appeal with a series of new additions, further enhancing the brand’s first 100% electric SUV coupé. As CUPRA continues its electrification journey, the Tavascan evolves with greater emotional engagement and bold design features.

The latest enhancements include a newly tuned emotional sound experience, a performance-focused Extreme Pack, a bold new Century Bronze matt exterior colour, and new interior material choices that reflect the brand’s progressive approach to design.

“The CUPRA Tavascan embodies the brand’s electrified vision, its striking design language, and emotional driving experience,” said Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer at CUPRA. “These new additions reinforce its core character and make it even more appealing to a new generation of drivers.”

A New Dimension of Electric Emotion
A new emotionally tuned interior sound signature, now standard across all versions in CUPRA and Performance Mode, strengthens the connection between driver and machine. Developed to react to throttle input, speed, and driving mode, the sound experience reinforces the sense of performance without becoming intrusive — designed to match the Tavascan’s character and amplify the thrill of electric driving. The result: pure electric emotion.

Extreme Pack: pure performance
Already available since the end of last year, the Extreme Pack adds two-tone 21’’ forged alloy wheels and 255mm front and rear performance tyres, giving even greater assurance when the pace increases. The forged wheels help reduce overall weight by 10kg while improving dynamics.

Inside, the heated and ventilated leather CUP Bucket front seats envelop the driver and passenger, helping deliver comfort and composure across any adventure.

New colours, new materials, same rebellious spirit
The new Century Bronze matt addition to the CUPRA Tavascan colour palette underlines the 100% electric SUV coupé’s exterior design, emphasising the vehicle’s athletic and sporty proportions. It’s the first time the CUPRA Tavascan is available with a matt finish, adding a bold new layer to its expressive exterior.

CUPRA also introduces an animal-free material steering wheel – available with textile and Dinamica interior options. This option reflects the brand’s ongoing exploration of alternative design approaches.

Designed and developed in Barcelona, the CUPRA Tavascan is manufactured at Volkswagen Group’s state-of-the-art plant in Anhui, China, a cutting-edge innovation hub for electric mobility.

Milton Keynes, 04-04-2025 – CUPRA will return to Milan Design Week with the brand’s boldest design statement to date: the launch of the CUPRA Design House. Piazza XXV Aprile and the CUPRA City Garage will host an immersive journey through CUPRA’s core design principles. The Red Thread of Design, the thread that connects CUPRA with the future of design, will broadcast the brand’s innovative and revolutionary vision, demonstrating at the Salone del Mobile how its philosophy extends into new creative territories.

The unveiling of this new division will showcase how the brand challenges the boundaries of design beyond the automotive word. This new era, in which CUPRA demonstrates its ability to integrate innovative materials and cutting-edge approaches will highlight the next evolution of the brand’s passion to use design to explore, collaborate and create new experiences.

Stay tuned on 8 April at 10:30AM and to our Instagram channel @cupra_official

Martorell, 18-02-2025 – FC Barcelona men’s football team players customised their new CUPRAs, after testing them during a thrilling driving experience at the Terramar Circuit. The footballers and staff had the opportunity to immerse themselves in CUPRA’s world by exploring the brand’s entire line-up of models, discovering the powerful emotions awakened by driving a CUPRA. Afterwards, the team had the opportunity to select their favourite car and configure it to their preference. 

“Our collaboration with FC Barcelona is more than a partnership. Both our brand and the club have a challenger spirit and winning ambition that makes us stand out. We also share a commitment to future generations of talent and car lovers,” said Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer of CUPRA. “Today, we wanted to offer an unforgettable experience to the players, an event where we challenge the thrill of driving and take it to a new and exciting level. The players had the opportunity to select their own heroes within our squad, and test them in a unique location, the Terramar Circuit, taking their piloting skills to the limit.”

The Terramar Circuit, where CUPRA was born in 2018, and the fourth oldest circuit in the world, hosted an event attended by FC Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, along with 22 players, including CUPRA’s brand ambassador Marc ter Stegen, team captains Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, and Pedri, as well as young generational talents like Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Fermín López, and Marc Casadó.

A complete CUPRA Experience
FC Barcelona players enjoyed a full CUPRA experience to customise their new CUPRAs. After being welcomed by Ignasi Prieto, CUPRA’s Chief Brand Officer, they had the opportunity to discover the entire CUPRA line-up and get inspired by the different configurations and designs. They also took to the wheel to experience the thrill of driving a CUPRA, testing the power and performance of the petrol, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric models at the Terramar Circuit in their VZ versions. This unconventional test drive included acceleration tests, navigating the circuit’s unique banking, and assessing agility through a slalom course – an experience they thoroughly enjoyed.

All of them configured their new CUPRA cars, choosing from different models and versions while selecting their preferred colours, wheels, interior designs, and extra equipment. The iconic CUPRA Formentor, the new CUPRA Terramar and the brand’s first all-electric SUV coupe CUPRA Tavascan were the top choices among the players: 

• Marc ter Stegen – CUPRA Tavascan VZ (340PS)
• Iñaki Peña – CUPRA Formentor VZ eHYBRID (272PS)
• Wojciech Szczęsny – CUPRA Terramar VZ eHYBRID (272PS)
• Alejandro Balde – CUPRA Terramar VZ (265PS)
• Ronald Araujo – CUPRA Tavascan VZ (340PS)
• Iñigo Martinez – CUPRA Tavascan VZ (340PS)
• Andreas Christensen – CUPRA Terramar VZ (265PS) America’s CUP Edition
• Jules Koundé – CUPRA Formentor VZ (333PS)
• Eric Garcia – CUPRA Terramar VZ eHYBRID (272PS)
• Gavi – CUPRA Tavascan VZ (340PS)
• Pedri – CUPRA Terramar VZ (265PS)
• Pablo Torre – CUPRA Formentor VZ (333PS)
• Héctor Fort – CUPRA Formentor VZ (333PS)
• Fermín López – CUPRA Formentor VZ (333PS)
• Marc Casado – CUPRA Formentor VZ (333PS)
• Dani Olmo – CUPRA Formentor VZ (333PS)
• Frenkie De Jong – CUPRA Terramar VZ (265PS) America’s CUP Edition
• Ferran Torres – CUPRA Leon VZ eHYBRID (272PS)
• Ansu Fati – CUPRA Terramar VZ eHYBRID (272PS)
• Pau Victor – CUPRA Formentor VZ (333PS)
• Raphina – CUPRA Tavascan VZ (340PS)
• Lewandowski – CUPRA Terramar VZ eHYBRID (272PS)
• Hansi Flick – CUPRA Terramar VZ eHYBRID (272PS)

During the event, the players also tried CUPRA’s VR experience to explore the virtual 3D versions of the brand’s latest heroes: the CUPRA Tavascan and CUPRA Terramar. They were also introduced to the CUPRA DarkRebel, a showcar that pushes the boundaries of design and performance, challenging the way cars will be imagined and created in the future.

More than a partnership
CUPRA recently renewed its alliance with FC Barcelona until 2029, extending the sponsorship to include all the club’s professional sports teams as the Official Automotive and Mobility Partner and Official Car. To celebrate FC Barcelona’s 125^th anniversary, the brand launched a campaign focused on the talents of the next generation, starring the young footballers of the men’s and women’s teams.

After the car configuration day, CUPRA will deliver the customised cars to FC Barcelona players over the coming weeks, further reinforcing its global presence and commitment to sport and talent.

Milton Keynes, 12-02-2025 – CUPRA is delighted to partner with the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards as the official vehicle partner for the first time.

A fleet of electric CUPRA Tavascan cars will whisk stars and guests to the red carpet at the event, which is in its 78^th year. This collaboration follows several CUPRA partnerships in the entertainment space and reflects the brand’s desire to champion creative talent across the film industry.

A host of famous faces have been nominated for awards this year and will be attending the ceremony at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.

“The partnership between CUPRA and the 2025 EE BAFTA Awards reflects our joint commitment to innovation, creativity, and the world of cinema,” said Wayne Griffiths, CEO of CUPRA. “This collaboration further strengthens CUPRA’s dedication to this industry, both in the UK and globally.”

Marcus Gossen, Managing Director of SEAT and CUPRA UK, said: “The CUPRA Tavascan embodies the future of driving, combining desirability, performance and sportiness, so it is fitting that it will be showcased to the world as part of such a globally recognised ceremony. With the all-new CUPRA Tavascan, we’re ensuring that the film industry’s brightest stars arrive in style.”

Anthony Cole-Johnson, Executive Director of Commercial, BAFTA, said: “We are thrilled to welcome CUPRA into BAFTA’s esteemed family of partners. As a brand renowned for championing film and supporting the next generation of filmmakers worldwide, CUPRA is the ideal partner to support BAFTA in our mission to celebrate and nurture creative talent.” 

The CUPRA Tavascan is the brand’s first all-electric SUV coupe and boasts a striking new design. It is the newest EV model to be added to the CUPRA electric range and perfectly matches electrification and performance, following in the CUPRA Born’s footsteps of bringing the best parts of internal combustion (ICE) models to the electric market. The CUPRA Tavascan takes the brand’s electrification journey in a new direction with an exponential impulse to create emotional vehicles that break conventional rules and deliver for a new generation of car lovers.

CUPRA’s commitment to film
This latest partnership reaffirms CUPRA’s commitment to cinema. The brand already counts renowned actor Daniel Brühl and internationally acclaimed Spanish director J.A. Bayona among its brand ambassadors. In May 2024, the brand launched CUPRA’s The Dream Makers and, in collaboration with the Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisuals de Catalunya (ESCAC), an innovative competition that nurtures and develops emerging cinematic talent.

CUPRA is also joining forces with the Berlinale as the new Principal Partner and official mobility partner of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, that is taking take place this month. CUPRA is also the Automotive Partner of the Sitges Film Festival, the world’s most important cinematic event dedicated to fantasy and horror cinema.

The EE BAFTA Film Awards is one of the world’s most prestigious events dedicated to film. It serves as a platform for established stars, new faces, and a range of work to be celebrated and showcased in front of peers and colleagues alike. The 78^th edition of the awards will take place on Sunday, 16^th February.

27 January 2025 – London, UK / Martorell, Spain
Parkopedia and SEAT S.A. are working together to enable convenient in-car payments for parking. CUPRA drivers are now able to access seamless ‘Park & Pay’ in-car payment functionality, allowing them to make parking payments with ease, without leaving the vehicle.

This takes the stress out of finding parking machines when arriving at car parks and bypasses issues such as out-of-order machines, not having the right change, card payment issues and more. This service is powered by Parkopedia, with a comprehensive location database and Payment Platform for on-demand in-car payments across both on-street and off-street locations.

This new functionality is currently available on CUPRA Born and Tavascan models with the CUPRA Navi system across 17 European countries¹. The service is planned to be added to the remaining CUPRA range and SEAT models during 2025.

European drivers have a significant interest in in-car payments, with nearly two-thirds wanting to be able to pay for parking through their in-car infotainment system, according to the latest Parkopedia Global Driver Survey. This makes parking the service drivers request most for in-car payments, highlighting the often inconvenient process of paying for car parking and the negative impact this can have on the driving experience.

Recognising the strong driver interest in in-car payments for parking, Markus Dohl, VP Sales & BD Europe at Parkopedia, said: “European motorists have a particular interest in being able to access in-car payments for parking, so we are pleased to be working with SEAT S.A. to provide this valued service for their drivers, unlocking seamless payments for parking sessions and adding convenience to their journeys. We look forward to the roll-out of this service to the rest of the SEAT and CUPRA model range in 2025.”

Milton Keynes, 16-01-2025 – The process of creating a car begins with a sketch. Alberto Torrecillas, exterior designer at CUPRA, takes a sheet of paper and draws the outline and shapes of what has become the brand’s first electrified SUV, the CUPRA Terramar. But until the design freeze is achieved, those same lines have been outlined, tweaked, and literally sculpted over and over again, until the perfect proportions are created. “We draw the essence of the model, we transform it digitally to understand its volumes, but if we want to truly be able to feel the surfaces and verify that the proportions work, we need a full-scale model.” says the designer. This is when clay takes centre stage in this story.

Sporty proportions
In one of the restricted access rooms of CUPRA’s Technical Centre, Alberto analyses the full-scale CUPRA Terramar in one of its preliminary stages, prior to the version we’ll see in the final design. From one side, it’s vinyl wrapped to resemble paint and looks like a realistic model. But from the other side, it’s a completely exposed, earth-coloured mock-up made with more than five thousand kilograms of clay, automatically milled using precise parameters and then manually polished, with every detail of the surface sculpted to millimetric precision. “Proportions are essential in our models. We define them in the sketches we make, but where we really appreciate them is in the physical clay replicas” he says. In the CUPRA Terramar, for example, this stage was key in the design process, because ‘‘being an SUV, we wanted to emphasise its generous 4.5-metre length by highlighting the body colour, while maintaining an athletic and sporty sculpture. The best way to showcase this is with the clay model.” he adds.

Craftsmanship that complements technology
Even though the latest technologies and digital tools are a key part of the design process, making full-scale clay models is an essential part of the validation process. “This material is very interesting because you can use it to examine the sections, the play of lights and shadows…”  explains Alberto.

Feeling the model’s surfaces
Another reason why this stage is so important for the design department is that it enables them to touch and feel each of the exterior surfaces. “For us, every shape, every line, every contour has a meaning and conveys an intended effect. By simply touching the surfaces we can tell if they’re going to work in terms of design” says Alberto.

Instant feedback and accuracy
Another added advantage is that it’s fast. Clay is malleable and simple to use, and you can immediately see any changes when the design is meticulously tweaked. “The prominent lines of the bonnet are one of the key elements of the CUPRA Terramar’s front design, as they frame our logo. By using these clay models, we immediately identified and visualised the sections that allowed us to emphasise them.”

The outcome of this story that unfolds combining paper, digital technology and clay is a sporty SUV that adopts the new design language to break into the fastest-growing segment in Europe.

Martorell, 13-11-2024 – CUPRA continues its high safety scores in the challenging Euro NCAP safety tests as the CUPRA Tavascan achieved a 5-star rating. The all-electric SUV coupe joins the CUPRA Formentor, CUPRA Leon and CUPRA Born in achieving the highest rating possible and signifies the brand’s determination to deliver the safest cars possible.

Euro NCAP testing is renowned for pushing vehicles to be as safe as possible, to address the safety for both occupants and vulnerable road users. The tests have been updated over the years to make sure they include the latest procedures and encompass the most up to date technologies available, making the CUPRA Tavascan’s achievement even greater.

“Safety is a key pillar of CUPRA’s approach to vehicle development, delivering vehicles that not only meet customer needs, but also place their well-being at the forefront,” said Dr. Werner Tietz, Executive Vice-President for Research and Development at CUPRA. “The CUPRA Tavascan’s result after undergoing Euro NCAP’s rigorous testing highlights the hard work of the development team and the brand’s willingness to develop the safest vehicles possible.”

The CUPRA Tavascan integrates a wide range of advanced driver assistance and safety systems, all designed to make sure occupants and vulnerable road users are kept away from harm.

A suite of onboard systems including Traffic Sign Recognition, Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Intelligent Speed Adaptation, Side Assist, Lane Assist, Exit Warning, Exit Assist, Fatigue Detection and Rear View eSmart Camera all help the driver stay alert.

While other systems such as Front Assist, with swerve support and turn assist, prevent or mitigate possible damage in an emergency situation, monitoring other road users such as cars, pedestrians, and bicycles.

The CUPRA Tavascan is also designed to help minimise the impact on external vulnerable road users with the introduction of the active bonnet*. In the event of an imminent collision with a vulnerable road user, the rear section of the car’s bonnet is automatically raised. This action increases the distance between the bonnet and the rigid fixed parts, creating more space for controlled deformation upon impact. By providing additional cushioning, the system helps to reduce the severity of head injuries.

The integration of these systems is why the CUPRA Tavascan scored so highly in each of the individual Euro NCAP test areas: Adult Occupant 89%, Child Occupant 86%, Vulnerable Road User 80% and Safety Assist 79%.

Euro NCAP is constantly re-evaluating its testing procedures, introducing new criteria to make sure vehicles remain as safe as possible, and CUPRA is determined to make sure its vehicles continue to score highly no matter what. The CUPRA Tavascan’s 5-star result is a testament to the brands dedication.

* The active bonnet is a standard feature on all CUPRA Tavascan produced from June 2024 (Q3/2024)

Milton Keynes, 18-07-2024 – The high performance CUPRA Born VZ has officially opened for order in the UK, with pricing starting at £44,625 MDP.

The latest version of the brand’s first fully electric model CUPRA Born, the CUPRA Born VZ boasts an all-electric system capable of delivering 326PS of power and 545Nm of torque – 75% more than any other Born version.

The enhanced powertrain coupled with improved chassis dynamics thanks to DCC Sport suspension, means the CUPRA Born VZ can reach 62mph from a standing start in just 5.6 seconds. The model’s top speed has also increased and is now limited to 124mph.

But, performance has not been achieved by sacrificing efficiency. The improved battery pack now offers 79kWh of net capacity (+2kWh) and is able to travel up to 372 miles. It can then be recharged at home using a 11kW AC system or at a DC 185kW fast-charging point, with a fast charge from 10% to 80% taking just 26 minutes.

As well as an uplift in power, the CUPRA Born VZ also plays host to a sportier interior, with new Enceladus Grey CUP bucket seats as standard, and a Sennheiser Premium Audio sound system. On the exterior, the new model flaunts 20-inch Thunderstorm alloy wheels as well as the option of the exclusive Dark Forest paint finish.

Marcus Gossen, Director of SEAT and CUPRA UK, said: “The CUPRA Born is an incredibly popular model, and we’re thrilled with the impact it has made as our first all-electric offering. At CUPRA, we continuously strive to exceed expectations, and the Born VZ does exactly that. More power, enhanced refinement, and builds upon the strengths of an already exceptional car.”

In addition to the performance and design enhancements, CUPRA Born VZ also receives a technology boost, with keyless entry (KESSY advanced), Car 2X intelligent vehicle networking and wireless phone charger all as standard.

For more information on the new CUPRA Born VZ, visit https://www.cupraofficial.co.uk/new-cars/born.

CUPRA Born VZ

The CUPRA Formentor’s success story is also that of more than 4,000 employees involved in the production of its restyled version. A new car rolls off the line every 69 seconds in a dynamic, meticulous process in which every detail is analysed and reviewed to ensure maximum quality. In fact, several innovative tools such as deep learning and top-notch digitalised systems have been implemented in its production in a further step towards the transformation of the plant. Among these innovations is the Prüfer Digital, an automatic station equipped with an artificial vision system that controls the presence, position and condition of different parts mounted in the vehicle, with more than 60 simultaneous control points that focus on both mechanics and wiring.

Also playing an essential role is the Smart Plug system, a technology used in the production process of the CUPRA Formentor and the CUPRA Leon to deal with the assembly of more than 90 electronic control units. This is done through remote production, automatically starting up all the control units of up to 45 cars at a time. But the biggest innovation is the new KTL Oven, the first 100% electric transversal oven in the entire Volkswagen Group. It’s involved in the paint-drying process, providing an anti-corrosion layer, and takes up 42% less space than a conventional oven, thanks to a reduction in length. It also reduces energy consumption by up to 25%.

The Martorell facility is the Volkswagen Group’s third largest plant in Europe in terms of volume. Therefore, “we’re working to transform and enhance the factory, integrating the most advanced technologies in its manufacturing and structural processes” explains Markus Haupt, CUPRA’s Vice-President for Production and Logistics. In this respect, together with the CUPRA Leon, the CUPRA Formentor is the first model to benefit from the 3-billion-euro investment for the ongoing transformation of the Martorell plant, which guarantees that production will be more agile, sustainable and profitable on the road to electrification.