New Cupra Tavascan SUV gets 58kWh battery and Google OS
The Cupra Tavascan has been updated with Android software and a new entry-level 58kWh battery that could bring down the sporty SUV’s starting price.
Cupra hasn’t confirmed how much the new Tavascan will cost, but given the 58kWh battery will be the smallest pack in the range, it is expected to be priced less than the current 77kWh entry-level car, which starts at £47,350.
Paired with a 187bhp electric motor, the 58kWh car will return “around 270 miles” of range and can be topped up from 10% to 80% in 28 minutes.
Reflecting the interior of the new Cupra Born, the new Tavascan’s driver instrument binnacle has been upgraded from 5.3 inches to 10.25 inches. The new infotainment system now runs on Google’s Android-powered operating system.
Considered one of the best automotive operating systems in the business, the Android-based setup is used by Polestar, Volvo, and the Renault Group. Cupra’s sister VW Group brand, Skoda, will also adopt Google’s OS for its electric-only Elroq and Enyaq models in the future.
The Tavascan also shares its new steering wheel with the updated Born, and it ditches haptic buttons in favour of physical switchgear. Another feature of the new Cupra Tavascan’s cabin is the electric smart air vents, which activate before the driver enters the car, depending on the key’s proximity to the vehicle.
The system pre-circulates air and adjusts its direction based on the occupants’ whereabouts and the position of the sun. The smart air vents can also be controlled through voice commands using the infotainment system.
Elsewhere, digital keys are now available on the Tavascan, along with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities, one-pedal driving, and launch control on more powerful Tavascans with the 77kWh battery.
When it comes to options, customers can now choose a Midnight Black paint finish and a 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system.
Alongside the entry-level 58kWh car, the other model in the Tavascan range is the 77kWh battery model producing either 282bhp in single-motor guise, or 335bhp with Cupra’s dual-motor setup. The former is capable of more than 350 miles on a single charge, while the latter can deliver a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds.
