Skip advert
Advertisement

New Cupra Raval could be in line for a big performance injection

Cupra boss hints at hot hatch version of new five-door EV

Cupra Raval - front tracking

Cupra’s new Raval doesn't arrive in the UK until September, but the firm’s chief executive is already dropping hints that a range-topper worthy of the brand’s sporting reputation could be in the pipeline. 

The Raval is the first of four cars in VW Group’s new small EV family, and will be followed by the VW ID. Polo and ID. Cross and Skoda’s Epiq. As things stand, the Cupra will arrive with a 223bhp range-topper as the sportiest version in the range, coming with dynamic chassis control and an electronic limited-slip differential. 

But with VW rumoured to be working on an even hotter version of the ID. Polo to sit above the forthcoming GTI, could a faster Raval also be in the works?

Advertisement - Article continues below

“We always want more, so as you can imagine, of course we are exploring new things,” Cupra chief executive Markus Haupt told Auto Express. “I cannot reveal anything, but let’s see what the future holds.”

According to Haupt, the new Raval is a “game-changer” for the brand. “We need to have everything that Cupra stands for in this car, starting with design and performance,” he said. “But we also need this car to take a role, and that it's not only an urban car – when you step in the car, you will feel this could be a car of a higher category: lots of space, very good materials quality-wise and technological innovations.”

In time, the Raval is expected to overtake its bigger brother, the Born, to become Cupra’s biggest-selling EV – and eventually, probably its biggest seller overall. 

See what you could save on a new Cupra through the Auto Express Buy a Car service, where our trusted dealers have stock cars at savings of over £10,000.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Paul Barker - editor, Auto Express
Former editor

As the former editor, Paul’s job was to steer the talented group of people that work across Auto Express and Driving Electric, as well as guiding the titles to even bigger and better things by bringing the latest important stories to our readers. Paul has been writing about cars and the car industry since 2000, working for consumer and business magazines as well as freelancing for national newspapers, industry titles and a host of major publications.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Cupra Raval VZ review: a true pocket rocket for the EV era
Cupra Raval - front tracking

Cupra Raval VZ review: a true pocket rocket for the EV era

The hot little Raval VZ marks the beginning of a very promising new era
Road tests
30 Oct 2026
Cupra Raval review
Cupra Raval - front tracking

Cupra Raval review

Cupra’s smallest model blends sporty cues with practicality, refinement and value
In-depth reviews
27 Oct 2026
Car Deal of the Day: Cupra Raval prices plummet to an unbelievable £187 a month
Cupra Raval - front

Car Deal of the Day: Cupra Raval prices plummet to an unbelievable £187 a month

Cupra’s smallest EV keeps getting more attractive. It’s our Deal of the Day for 26 October.
News
26 Oct 2026
New Cupra Raval VZ Abt takes hot EV up a notch at Paris
Cupra Raval VZ Abt - Paris

New Cupra Raval VZ Abt takes hot EV up a notch at Paris

The Custom Cupra by Abt range of performance pack add-ons has expanded to include the Raval EV
News
13 Oct 2026

Most Popular

Honda CR-V prices slashed by thousands, ZR-V gets cheaper too
2026 Honda CR-V - front cornering

Honda CR-V prices slashed by thousands, ZR-V gets cheaper too

Honda has revealed updated pricing for the CR-V and ZR-V models, with the latter getting a particularly chunky discount
News
2 Nov 2026
New Renault Megane to take on the Tesla Model Y with a radical makeover
Renault Megane - front quarter exclusive image Avarvarii

New Renault Megane to take on the Tesla Model Y with a radical makeover

Hi-tech ‘software-defined’ C-segment model heralds a new design direction for Renault as the firm works to achieve a 465-mile range
News
2 Nov 2026
New Fiat Topolino Dolcevita arrives as dinky electric convertible for £9,500
Fiat Topolino Dolcevita - front 3/4

New Fiat Topolino Dolcevita arrives as dinky electric convertible for £9,500

The cute electric quadricycle can now be ordered as a convertible for a small additional outlay
News
3 Nov 2026

Find a car with the experts