This special Cupra Raval looks like it belongs on a racetrack – and I’ve seen it up close
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Cupra has unveiled a sportier new look for its all-electric Raval at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. Consumer writer Siobhan Doyle is at the show to find out more about the customised EV model.
Cupra has unveiled a sportier new look for its all-electric Raval at the Paris Motor Show, which runs from 12 to 18 October 2026.
The new styling package, developed with ABT, a German car tuning and motorsport company, takes inspiration from racing and adds sportier bumpers, side skirts, a large rear roof spoiler and exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels.
The Custom Cupra by ABT package extends the partnership between the two companies, which have previously worked together on styling packages for the Cupra Leon and Formentor.
The Raval’s new look draws on the design of Cupra’s UrbanRebel concept car, translating racing-inspired details into a road-going electric model. The changes focus on appearance and interior equipment, with no mechanical upgrades announced.
I’ve spoken to the head of design at Cupra at the Paris Motor Show to find out a bit more about this sporty hatchback.
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Sportier styling and larger alloy wheels
The package includes front and rear splitters, side skirts and a prominent roof spoiler. Cupra says these features are designed to give the car a lower appearance and emphasise its sporting character. Distinctive winglets, exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels and ABT lettering complete the exterior changes.
“We take a lot of inspiration from human anatomy and muscle structure,” Jorge Diez, head of design at Cupra and SEAT told Carwow. “You can see that in the triangular forms and the way the surfaces are sculpted. We want the car to feel muscular, with the lines creating a sense of energy and tension.”
“The triangle is an icon for Cupra, so you see angular forms throughout the design. We carry that idea across the car, from the exterior lighting to the interior details, to create a visual identity that is consistent and recognisable.”
Cupra thought about the design and materials used
The Spanish car brand paid close attention to the car’s design, from its overall shape to the materials used inside and out. The aim was to make it look sporty and distinctive, with sharp lines and curved surfaces.
“We always try to combine sharp lines with very sculptural surfaces,” Diez explains. “This creates a sense of sensuality, while the strong air intakes in the lower section give the car a more powerful appearance.”
The choice of materials was just as important. Cupra wanted to move away from the finishes usually seen in cars and take inspiration from nature instead.
Diez says the team wanted to capture “the sensory quality of raw materials and minerals”, particularly their natural, matte textures. However, getting the finish right was a challenge, as it needed to look good while keeping its quality over time.
The team also looked beyond the automotive industry for ideas. As Diez explains, “Traditionally, manufacturers have relied on chrome, aluminium, wood and leather. We asked ourselves why we should continue using the same materials as every other brand.”
Cupra took inspiration from fashion, architecture and science, experimenting with materials and techniques more commonly used in sneakers and sports equipment. This gave the designers more freedom to try different textures and finishes rather than following the usual approach to car design.
For example, for the Raval’s bucket seats, they used 3D knitting technology which makes its covers in one piece, with a single knitting machine and in a single run. They did this to achieve a zero waste practice. The covers are made from fully recyclable materials too.
VZ ABT version to launch in November
From the end of November 2026, the Custom Cupra by ABT styling package will come as standard on the VZ ABT version.
According to Cupra, the specification will include heated bucket seats made using 3D-knit fabric, a Sennheiser sound system and a top-view camera to help drivers see around the car when parking.
The interior will also feature projected lighting on the door panels and Cupra’s next-generation SmartLight system. The latter feature turns its standard ambient lighting into a real-time safety and informational tool which responds to driving events.
The styling parts will be handcrafted at the Cupra Racing Factory in Spain before being fitted to the car. Cupra says the process reflects the attention to detail used in its racing projects.
The company has yet to announce pricing for the VZ ABT version or confirm whether the styling parts will be available separately.
Cupra has also announced that, early next year, it will introduce new features such as an illuminated logo and indicators with exterior projections. It said it will also some with a higher top speed of up to 118mph (190 km per hour) through some tuning from ABT.
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