Category Archives: Vehicle type

Coupe, CUPRA, electric, Motoring

Tavascan offers striking design and impressive range

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CUPRA Tavascan V2 77kWh

By Bill McCarthy

CUPRA originated as the performance division of SEAT. Both are part of the Volkswagen Group, with CUPRA now operating as a standalone premium brand focused on sportier design and enhanced dynamics. The Tavascan, the brand’s second dedicated electric vehicle, represents a key model in its transition to an electric lineup.

This coupé-SUV delivers a strong initial impact through its design and technology.

There is strong competition, notably from stablemates the VW ID.5 and the Skoda Enyaq, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, not to mention a host of new Chinese brands making their mark, including the BYD Seal and Omoda E5.

Design and Styling

CUPRA says the Tavascan is rare among production cars because it keeps most of its concept vehicle’s bold character. It introduces a new, confident design language. Marketing speak, but it does stand out with its three-triangle LED signature, an illuminated badge, and a coupé-style flowing roofline. This makes it more efficient and helps with the range thanks to a drag coefficient of 0.26.

Interior and Technology

The cabin presents a vivid contrast of copper and black. It features sporty bucket seats, built around a central spine and a floating dashboard, and a mix of hi-tech and more traditional controls. Soft-touch finish is prominent and the cabin has a sporty feel.

The centrepiece is a 15-inch touchscreen which controls major features like connectivity, infotainment, app selection and navigation. Physical controls include a backlit touch slider for climate functions and three physical ‘diamond-cut’ toggle switches on the centre console.

Real-time information is delivered to the driver with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Another classy touch is the selectable ambient lighting and a star-constellation-like pattern of small, individual light points scattered across the door panel. It feels well engineered and robust.

Equipment levels are comprehensive, as you’d expect for a £54k-plus car, and include a 360-degree camera and remote parking, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charging pad and multiple USB-C ports

On the road

It looks like it would be quick and it is. This rear-wheel-drive V2 model uses a 286 PS electric motor powered by a 77 kWh (net) battery. Acceleration is brisk as it hits 60mph in about 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 112 mph. There are multiple driving modes such as Range, Comfort, and Sport, depending on what kind of driving experience you want.

It has a claimed WLTP range of up to 353 miles, which might be obtained in perfect conditions, but with mixed weather, around 280-plus seemed nearer the mark. Charging capability includes 11 kW AC (0-100% in approximately 8 hours) and rapid 135 kW DC charging (10-80% in 28 minutes).

A heat pump, which preserves range in cold weather standard on this vehicle.

Handling is excellent with a low centre of gravity, allowing the driver to push hard through bends on twisting roads with confidence. The steering is well weighted, offering good feedback about the car’s agility.

However, one letdown is with the brakes. They feel vague and soft and don’t respond sharply until much more pressure is applied, which is disappointing for a car that promises a sporty drive.

Practicality

Despite its coupé-like profile, practicality is respectable. The cabin accommodates four adults comfortably, with reasonable head and legroom. Boot space is good, among the best in fact, with 540 litres. This increases to a cavernous 1,565 litres when the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats are folded.

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, which allows you to power external devices (for example, a laptop or coffee maker) from the car’s battery.

Safety features

The vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Standard features include Connected Travel Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane guidance.

Verdict

The letdown is the brakes, which feel a bit soft and vague. For a car that looks this sporty, you’d expect a sharper response when you hit the pedal. 

Factfile

  • Model: CUPRA Tavascan V2 77kWh 286 PS

  • Price: £53,845

  • Mechanical: Single electric motor, rear-wheel drive, 286 PS, 545 Nm, 77 kWh (net) battery

  • 0-62 mph: 6.8 seconds

  • Top Speed: 112 mph

  • Range (WLTP): Up to 353 miles

  • Insurance group: 36

  • CO2 Emissions: 0 g/km

  • BiK Rating: 3%

  • Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 miles

BYD, Electric/hybrid, Motoring

Sealion a PHEV for the price of a petrol SUV

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BYD SEALION 5 DM-i

By Bill McCarthy

Having overtaken Tesla as the world’s largest EV maker, Chinese giant BYD is raising the stakes yet again. Originally a tech company BYD (Build Your Dreams) was founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturer and has expanded its ‘blade’ battery technology into automotive, electronics, renewable energy, and rail transit. 

Its latest vehicle, the SEALION 5 DM-i has been launched with a price tag of under £30,000 on the road, and has thrown down the gauntlet in the mid-size SUV market.

Sleek profile

At just under five metres long, both versions – Comfort and Design – feature a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system as standard, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined maximum output of 215bhp.

Like its siblings, this model has a striking profile with the signature so-called “Dragon Face” design, featuring full-LED headlights and slim daytime-running lights. At the rear, a full-width LED light bar and sharply angled tail-lights, combined with an integrated spoiler, enhance the sporty look. The car is equipped with striking 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels.

Interior and technology

The interior has an upmarket feel with vegan leather upholstery, and powered and heated front seats. Head and legroom are good, and the cabin is spacious enough to easily accommodate a family of five in comfort. Central is the stylish centre console that houses the gearshift and other controls, and offers generous storage space underneath.

This is supplemented by a 12.8-inch rotating multi-touch touchscreen and complemented by a clear 8.8-inch full-LCD instrument cluster offering the driver real-time information. 

The rotating touchscreen controls infotainment, navigation and connectivity via built-in 4G and BYD cloud services. Intelligent voice control, activated by saying “Hi, BYD,” offers extra safety while driving. An added bonus is its Vehicle-to-Load function, which lets you use the car as a giant power bank for everything from camping to powering a coffee maker.

Practicality

A large boot provides a substantial 463-litre capacity, easily accommodating luggage. The 40:60-split folding rear seats can expand this space to a generous 1,410 litres, featuring a flat load floor for easy loading of bulky items.

Spec levels and value

The entry-level Comfort model starts at £29,995, undercutting most rivals while featuring plenty of standard kit. This includes smartphone integration, a rear-view camera, automatic LED lights, and power-folding heated mirrors. It feels like a top-spec car.

However, the £32,995 Design trim adds puddle lights, a powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and wireless charging. It hits the sweet spot for those who love their bells and whistles.

This SUV offers the growing necessity of electric power and the readiness of a petrol car, all in one powertrain. It not only undercuts rival petrol SUVs on price but also comes better equipped and should lower running costs.

Powertrain and performance

Power is drawn from a choice of two battery packs. The Comfort model has a 12.96 kWh unit for up to 38 miles of electric-only driving. The Design trim features a larger 18.3 kWh battery, extending the electric range to over 53 miles and contributing to a WLTP-rated fuel economy of 134.5 mpg and combined CO2 emissions of 48g/km. It is heavier, and as a result, acceleration to 60 mph is over eight seconds.

BYD says that with a full charge and tank, both versions offer a total range of up to 631 miles.

The driving experience is smooth, with the power unit delivering plenty of pace. It becomes notably more raucous when flooring the accelerator, but never uncomfortably so. It handles well, as an extended drive from the M54 in Shropshire into the rolling hills and twisting roads of mid-Wales demonstrated.

Its stability and agility handled both sweeping and tight curves with aplomb, always feeling well-planted. The steering also offered plenty of feedback, allowing you to push it while understanding the limits.

Safety

Comprehensive measures include adaptive and intelligent cruise control, lane-keeping and departure functions, blind spot and collision warnings, speed limit control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking. For occupant safety, it comes with seven airbags

Verdict

The SEALION 5 delivers a balance of comfort, efficiency, and everyday usability. Its firm yet comfortable ride makes it easy to live with, and it is ideal for families who want one sensible, practical vehicle.