Electric midgets: The Cupra Raval will start in front of the VW ID.2

For its future entry into electric mobility, the VW Group is relying on the Mini MEB, a further development of the MEB specifically for small models. VW (ID.1 and ID.2), Cupra and Skoda models are planned for this small model from 2025. The small electric car robot is manufactured by Seat in Spain. Their production will also take place in Seat in Martorell. As Seat has now officially announced, production will start at the end of 2025 with the Cupra Raval – and not with the VW ID.2all.

The Cupra is followed by the smaller model Skoda Epiq, its counterpart VW.2all and a small VW SUV on the same basis. However, this is supposed to get off the assembly line in Navarre. Incidentally, the Raval name was confirmed by Cupra boss Wayne Griffiths to the Australian media in March 2023. The Spanish remain faithful to their traditional names, as Raval is the name of a district in the old city of Barcelona.

“Our goal is to make electric mobility possible for everyone,” emphasizes VW brand boss Thomas Schäfer, who is also chairman of the management board at Seat. “The Volkswagen Group is committed to Spain. In this regard, the continued support of the Spanish government is essential. And we call on Europe to stick to electric mobility as the main way to make the Green Plan a reality.”

VW’s Spanish subsidiary is driving a shift towards electric mobility with significant investment. Three billion euros will go into the Martorelli site alone – double what the company spent on building the factory 30 years ago. In the summer of 2024, the company will transfer all production of the Seat Ibiza and Seagt Arona to another assembly line in Martorell in preparation for the new electric car line at the factory. 1,100 people currently work in the development and production of the Volkswagen Group’s urban electric models.

Urban Rebels Raval-Ausblick

The Cupra Urban Rebel concept car already gave a close preview of the production Cupra Raval. The small five-door car is almost four meters long and has a 172 kW electric motor under the front hood. Possible battery capacity was not presented. The target range is up to 440 km.

While larger electric vehicles from the group’s brands on the MEB platform drive the rear wheels via a rear engine or have the option of all-wheel drive with a second electric motor on the front axle, the smaller models are designed as front-wheel drive only . Therefore, the Mini MEB carries only one electric motor, which sits between the front wheels.