CUPRA kicks off the global world premiere of the CUPRA Raval with a first institutional event in Barcelona

• CUPRA Raval’s global World Premiere, taking place simultaneously across 12 cities, began with a first institutional event in Barcelona: the brand’s birthplace and the city from where it set out to inspire the world
• The event was attended by Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya; Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism; and Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona
• CASA SEAT, the iconic venue in the centre of Barcelona will temporarily become CASA CUPRA RAVAL, celebrating the beginning of the new era for the company

Milton Keynes, 09.04.2026 – CUPRA kicks off the global World Premiere of the CUPRA Raval, revealing the car for the first time at an institutional event in its birthplace: Barcelona. The city that ignited the brand’s ambition to inspire the world hosted the opening event, ahead of a series of simultaneous urban reveals across 12 cities featuring exclusive events and artists. In Barcelona, Markus Haupt, CEO of CUPRA, unveiled the new car alongside Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya; Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism; and Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona.

The reveal of the CUPRA Raval marks the beginning of a new era for the brand, with the arrival of a rebellious electric car that is set to shape the future of electromobility. The model is inspired and fuelled by the diversity, creativity and a non-conformist spirit of the Raval neighbourhood of Barcelona. To celebrate its arrival and the beginning of this new era, CUPRA has announced that its iconic venue in the centre of Barcelona will temporarily become the CASA CUPRA RAVAL.

Additionally, during a conversation with Jaume Collboni, Markus Haupt revealed that Nathy Peluso will headline the World Premiere in Barcelona, performing a public concert at 18:30 in Plaça Catalunya. Simultaneously, Guitarricadelafuente will take the stage in Madrid, Disiz in Paris, Kim Petras in Berlin, Chase & Status and Lancey Foux in Manchester, and Mahmood in Milan, an unprecedented urban reveal.

“This is a special day for us. The CUPRA Raval represents much more than just a car: it marks the start of a new era for our brand and our company. We have been working as a team for years to get to this point, and we are thrilled that the world can now discover the CUPRA Raval, starting in Barcelona, our home and the place where it all began. The arrival of the CUPRA Raval marks a turning point for the future of mobility in Europe: we are ready to produce EVs made in Spain, helping to make electromobility more accessible and more appealing to a new generation of drivers.” said Markus Haupt, CEO of CUPRA.

Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, said “Today we are taking a step forward in making electric mobility accessible to all with a vehicle made in Catalonia. The CUPRA Raval is the result of many years of hard work by SEAT & CUPRA to design, develop, build and launch a 100% electric car. It was no easy feat for the automotive industry – a central, key sector for the Catalan economy – to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape and fierce competition. We cannot rely on fossil fuels; we need electric cars powered by renewable energy, and today we are taking a step in that direction.”

"Today marks an important milestone on the fascinating and challenging journey that is the transformation of the automotive industry. The success of this transition towards sustainable and connected mobility is undeniable. The CUPRA Raval, manufactured in Martorell, fits perfectly with the projects and initiatives we are promoting from the Government, such as the Programa Auto + to support the purchase of electric, European and affordable vehicles. This new model democratises sustainable mobility and reinforces the strategic autonomy we are committed to as a country." Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism, expressed.

Jaume Colboni, Mayor of Barcelona, said “SEAT & CUPRA have a long-standing connection with the city, starting with the Marina and the Zona Franca, where the automotive industry has meant so much to Barcelona. We are now witnessing a wave of democratisation in electric vehicles. Electric cars mean jobs, clean air, autonomy and the return on Barcelona’s efforts to electrify the city. We are the leading city in Spain in terms of charging points, and this is something the industry is asking of us: to break down the barriers and make charging easier, and we are doing so through public initiatives.”

The CUPRA Raval is a gamechanger, embracing the brand’s radical DNA from design to performance. In just 4 metres, the new model stands with a sporty silhouette and a driver focused, immersive and maximised interior. With racing and sportiness at its core, it delivers electrifying performance while featuring revolutionary technologies like 3D knitting for the CUP Bucket seats or dynamic light projections in the car’s door panels. Based on Volkswagen’s MEB+ platform, the CUPRA Raval creates its own segment to redefine urban electric mobility, offering 3 launch editions with a range of around 450km.

As the first 100% electric model produced in Martorell, it represents the culmination of SEAT & CUPRA’s transformation. Its launch also marks the arrival of the first model in the Volkswagen Group’s electric urban car family, a project led by CUPRA on behalf of the Brand Group Core that will see four electric models made in Spain from three brands hit the road.

ENDS

Change needs drivers — and CUPRA believes real progress comes through radical disruption, by defying expectations and challenging conventions. Since its launch in 2018, the brand has transformed the automotive industry as an instigator of creativity and an agitator for change.

In just seven years, CUPRA has launched seven models and sold over 1 million vehicles globally. Every CUPRA model is restlessly expressive, design led, and performance driven. Its fully-fledged portfolio includes the CUPRA Ateca, the first car to ever feature the CUPRA badge; the CUPRA Leon, redesigned and enhanced as a standalone CUPRA model; the CUPRA Formentor, the first car to be developed exclusively by the brand and the company’s best-selling vehicle to date; the CUPRA Born, the brand’s first 100% electric vehicle; the CUPRA Tavascan, an all-electric SUV coupe; and the CUPRA Terramar, the brand’s sporty SUV. In 2026, the CUPRA Raval, the brand’s radical interpretation of the electric urban car, will join its lineup.

CUPRA is more than a car. It’s a conviction. The CUPRA Tribe is made up of a team of ambassadors who push back against convention and past the boundaries that hold others back, with members including Spain’s most decorated Olympian, Saúl Craviotto; film director J.A. Bayona; German goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen; and two-time Ballon d'Or and Best FIFA Award-winning footballer Alexia Putellas. Obsessive about elevating emotion on and off the road, CUPRA is also FC Barcelona's official automotive and mobility partner, the Premier Padel Tour's premium sponsor and is also proud to participate in the Formula E racing competition with Kiro Race Co.

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For more information, please contact:

Chris Mease, Head of PR and Communications
07586 058302; chris.mease@seatcars.co.uk 

Kate Arding, PR Manager
07500 689543; kate.arding@seatcars.co.uk

Holly Williams, Events, Partnerships and Internal Engagement Manager
07738 897319; holly.williams@seatcars.co.uk 

Katie Duguid, Press Fleet Manager
07983 537247; katie.duguid@seatcars.co.uk

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