Cupra locks in connected-car tech for Australia – with a catch

Cupra will be among the first Volkswagen Group brands in Australia to offer factory-backed connectivity and remote solutions in its vehicles, but we're still not sure when that will happen.

In a statement supplied to CarExpert, head of product for Cupra Australia, Jeff Shafer, said: "connected services for Australia have been confirmed and we're working closely with our global and Volkswagen Group colleagues to bring the technology to market.

"There are a number of engineering and localisation requirements that need to be completed to ensure the system delivers the experience our customers expect, and that work will ultimately determine the rollout timing. While we can't provide a firm date today, we're encouraged by the progress being made and look forward to sharing more details as the program advances," Mr Shafer added.

It's understood the Spanish brand's local division is hurrying to ensure its connected vehicle tech is ready to go ahead of the launch of the compact Raval electric vehicle (EV), which is firming for an Australian launch sometime in 2027 and will land with a new-generation infotainment system powered by Google's Android software.

Mr Shafer's latest comments come after he told CarExpert last year that Cupra Australia was "pushing really hard" for an embedded factory-backed connectivity solution, rather than opting for a third-party app with limited functionality like the Volkswagen brand has done with Goconnect in Australia.

"It's a really hot topic,” Mr Shafer said in August 2025. "It's an issue that exists at a Group level, not just a Cupra level, but we’re pushing really hard."

The Volkswagen Group in Australia has been unable to implement a factory-backed connected services feature set, something that has also impacted the specification of its products – particularly, its range of EVs based on the dedicated electric MEB platform.

While online navigation and live traffic updates are features that many Australian buyers could live without, the lack of proper app functionality as found in most rival EVs – bringing owners the ability to check battery charge status and perform vehicle functions like cabin preconditioning remotely – stands out in a market in which this is becoming increasingly common.

The MEB platform requires a connected services module for certain features which are currently left out of Australian models, like satellite navigation (with online routing and traffic updates), digital key and emergency call functions, as well as over-the-air software updates.

In the case of the original Cupra Born, it also missed out on the VW Group’s clever Travel Assist semi-autonomous highway mode as a result, as it requires connected functionality.

It's understood the updated Cupra Tavascan – which lands imminently – will bring the same Android-based infotainment as the Raval but without connectivity. Further, the related Skoda Elroq and Enyaq will soon add the Czech brand's version of the same interface for model year 2027 (MY27) without connected features.

Last year, Volkswagen Australia’s passenger and commercial divisions rolled out a third-party solution in lieu of proprietary services, in the form of Goconnect.

Via the Goconnect phone app, owners can view their parking position, visualise the vehicle’s most recent trips, interact and book appointments with their dealer, view important errors and warnings, check their high-voltage battery status, and see their vehicle's driving speed.

At the launch of the ID. Buzz electric van range, Volkswagen Group Australia director of commercial vehicles, Ryan Davies, said: “Australia is currently one of those [markets] we don’t have a true picture of when the connectivity that’s available in Europe will make its way into Australia”.

Despite also falling under the VW Group banner locally, Audi Australia has long offered its own connected vehicle solutions via the Audi connect plus system, which offers a range of online features and remote functions. However, the MEB-based Q4 e-tron misses out on these features, at least initially, due to the embedded connected module in its platform.

With Cupra's confirmation of inbuilt connectivity and remote functionality moving forward, other brands within the Volkswagen Group stable in Australia will no doubt follow suit. Rival manufacturers have made strides in the connected vehicle space of late, as have many new brands from China – further putting pressure on VW Group brands to bring similar functionality to Australia.

Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda and Toyota all offer connected services and app-based remote functions, as do the likes of BYD and MG. All offer complimentary subscriptions with vehicle purchases, though the duration and available functionality can vary depending on the brand and subscription type. Not all of those brand’s models are compatible, either.

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