CUPRA Raval VZ Extreme UK Review (Video)

[Syphon]

We loved the CUPRA Raval VZ Extreme when we first drove it on smooth Spanish roads. Now we’ve lived with one for a week in the UK, taken it to Cornwall, rapid-charged it, tested its performance with Dragy, and discovered the little things you only notice after living with a car.



What is it?



The CUPRA Raval VZ Extreme is the range-topping version of CUPRA’s new small electric hatchback.



It uses a 52kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor producing 225PS and 290Nm of torque, with CUPRA quoting 0–62mph in 6.8 seconds and a WLTP range of 238 miles.



More importantly for those of us who still want our electric cars to be fun, the VZ gets Dynamic Chassis Control and an electronic limited-slip differential to go with that extra performance.



The Extreme doesn’t add any more power over the regular VZ. Instead, it brings the striking 19-inch Rebel Sulphur wheels, AHEAD 3D-knit CUP bucket seats, sulphur styling details and extra parking technology.



Our Manganese Green...

Continue reading...

 

[Syphon]

Here we go! Yes launch control is ace a real physical, visual and audible experience!

 

[JonnyG]

Thanks, Good review after clicking all the links !!

 

[Syphon]

Thanks, Good review after clicking all the links !!

Thanks, what links? has something gone wrong? Do you see the embedded video at the top?

 

[JonnyG]

I meant all the "click to expand" and "continue reading" links. I could'nt see the whole review at first sight. No problem though

 

[Syphon]

I meant all the "click to expand" and "continue reading" links. I could'nt see the whole review at first sight. No problem though

View attachment 55661

ahh yeah it's not 100% obvious, there's also a button in the header

 

[SRGTD]

@Syphon; nice review, and having the car for a week makes it more relevant to what it’ll be like living with the car on a long term basis.

I do quite like the Raval and it’s getting good reviews. However, VAG’s track record with buggy software would put me off considering one, at least for a couple of years anyway. I wouldn’t be an early adopter of a brand new model, and hopefully two years would be sufficient time for VAG to sort out any teething troubles.

Something I couldn’t help noticing in the side profile picture of your test car is the poor colour match of the charge port door and front bumper compared to the front wing. Maybe a trick of the light, but the charge port door and front bumper appear noticeably darker than the wing and that would play havoc with my car OCD; once seen and I can’t unseen it! I’m assuming the charge port door is plastic like the bumpers so the colour mismatch is probably a consequence of the different painting processes for plastic and metal body parts. Maybe Manganese Green Matte is more susceptible to highlighting these shade differences than some other colours? Aside from the maintenance issues associated with matte paint, it would be another reason for me not to choose matte paint.

 

[jezyg]

@Syphon great review of a brilliant car and some awesome pictures too! Sounds like a nice little road trip too as less range is a decent little car with plenty of space for a longer journey.

 

[jezyg]

@Syphon; nice review, and having the car for a week makes it more relevant to what it’ll be like living with the car on a long term basis.

I do quite like the Raval and it’s getting good reviews. However, VAG’s track record with buggy software would put me off considering one, at least for a couple of years anyway. I wouldn’t be an early adopter of a brand new model, and hopefully two years would be sufficient time for VAG to sort out any teething troubles.

Something I couldn’t help noticing in the side profile picture of your test car is the poor colour match of the charge port door and front bumper compared to the front wing. Maybe a trick of the light, but the charge port door and front bumper appear noticeably darker than the wing and that would play havoc with my car OCD; once seen and I can’t unseen it! I’m assuming the charge port door is plastic like the bumpers so the colour mismatch is probably a consequence of the different painting processes for plastic and metal body parts. Maybe Manganese Green Matte is more susceptible to highlighting these shade differences than some other colours? Aside from the maintenance issues associated with matte paint, it would be another reason for me not to choose matte paint.

I have had mine for a month and have been lucky with no major software issues, its getting better update by update but like the Born has a little way to go. The problem with the matt paint is it picks up marks caused by the heat from your hands, I saw it on a dealer car in the showroom, that literally had hand prints on it. Yes the charge flap is plastic. I would not touch a matt paint would send me into the OCD stratosphere trying to keep it clean. I think V1 or VZ are the picks of the range, VZ if you like driving the Incredible Hulk mobile, not a fan of the green interior. V1 for great value and a sensible choice for range v performance, VZ for the better drive and plusher interior.

 

[Jadevious]

Hey! Do you happen to know if the Launch Control effects are exclusive to the VZ? Or does the V2 LE also have them?

 

[Syphon]

Hey! Do you happen to know if the Launch Control effects are exclusive to the VZ? Or does the V2 LE also have them?

@jezyg ?

 

[jezyg]

Hey! Do you happen to know if the Launch Control effects are exclusive to the VZ? Or does the V2 LE also have them?

Only VZ no launch control on the V1 or V2 LE I had in August.