VW Group's small EV family heralded by Cupra UrbanRebel concept

Volkswagen Group's new EV family is being heralded by the UrbanRebel concept from the Cupra performance brand.

The concept hints at an entry-level full-electric crossover that Cupra will launch in 2025.

The car is a key strategic project for Cupra and the VW Group, Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Our aim is to produce more than 500,000 urban electric cars per year in Martorell for different group brands. The urban electric car will democratize and make accessible electromobility to the masses."

Cupra’s sporty-looking concept is a "radical interpretation" of what the production car due in 2025 will look like, the Spanish brand, which is part of VW Group’s Seat unit, said in the statement.

"This racing concept gives an idea of the design language of the future street-car and will inspire its creation," said Griffiths, who is also CEO of Seat.

At 4,080 mm long, the UrbanRebel concept is slightly smaller than the 4,153 mm Seat Arona crossover.

The production car will be built on a shortened version of VW Group’s MEB electric platform.

The EV is due to be built at Seat's plant in Martorell in Spain, alongside similar models for other VW Group brands, depending on whether VW decides to build a battery plant near Martorell.

VW Group and Seat executives have said that the decision depends on the approval of financial and other support from Spanish and EU authorities.

The UrbanRebel concept will have its public debut at the IAA Munich auto show on Monday, when the VW brand is expected to unveil its version, likely to be badged as the ID2.

Cupra said its production car "will mix astonishing design and amazing dynamics."

The UrbanRebel's bulging wheel arches and huge rear wing were described as a “racing disguise” that draw on Cupra's racing ambitions. The almost cartoonish proportions of the rear wing were influenced by virtual racing, where bodywork elements are often more exaggerated, Cupra said.

Cupra said the concept has a power output of 429 hp and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds. No further drivertrain details were given.

The UrbanRebel follows Seat’s strategy of badging its EVs as Cupra rather than Seat that started with the Cupra Born compact full-electric hatchback, which goes on sale later this year.

The Born shares the MEB platform with the VW ID3 and ID4, Skoda Enyaq and Audi Q4 e-tron. No Seat MEB car has yet been announced.

VW Group executives have previously said they want to develop Cupra cars to become a more "emotional" alternative to Seat models as the group attempts to restore the Seat division to profitability.