EVERY so often a new kind of car comes along. For a while it’s unique, and then the showrooms and roads get choked with rivals.
This time it’s the electric crossover coupe. Which no one could have predicted. Remember, petrol and diesel crossovers arrived as a mash-up of a car and an SUV. Then came some coupe versions.
Which was odd because crossovers are supposed to be practical and coupes are supposed to be, er, not practical.
But now with electric cars, crossover coupes make some kind of sense.
EVs are naturally tall to make space for the battery. And the fastback shape of a coupe reduces aerodynamic drag. Which gives better range.
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The first of them, in a normal family-car size, was the Tesla Model Y.
Then came a torrent. Deep breath: Kia EV6, Volvo EC40, Nissan Ariya, Peugeot E-3008. And a bunch from the VW Group – the VW ID 5, Audi Q4 Sportback, Skoda Enyaq Coupe.
Those VW ones are most relevant, because Cupra is also part of the group. So the Tavascan is closely related.
But it looks surprisingly different so has a different image.
It’s a bright red pair of jeans to a VW’s regular denim.
Drives differently too. Salted caramel ice cream versus plain vanilla.
The style first. It’s a riot of curves, creases and grilles.
The wheels are as ornate as cut-glass decanters.
The lights are like jewellery – even the front and rear badges are backlit.
Inside there’s a swoopy dash and bling materials and the front seats are simply terrific.
Their bulk makes the back feel dark and dingy, but actually there’s plenty of room behind. Electric crossovers are mostly boring, if easy to drive.
Cupra has made this one a bit more interesting. We tested the twin-motor version, but it still feels rear-wheel drive, so it wants to push you smartly out of corners rather than squeal the front tyres.
It’s heavy, mind, so not super-quick.
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But the suspension keeps all that weight pretty well controlled in bends. And the comfort isn’t harmed on the straights or in towns.
It runs a new generation of motor, so its battery charge goes a decent distance.
Call it 270 miles on clear motorways and 300 on A-roads, at least if it’s not freezing.
In slow town driving it’ll go further again.
So you can check people are looking.