Category Archives: CUPRA

CUPRA, Motoring, Performance, Sports and coupe

CUPRA delivers a thrilling drive

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CUPRA Ateca

By Bill McCarthy

The latest version of the excellent Ateca comes dressed in sporty new threads as the CUPRA version. With its 300PS petrol power, it offers stunning performance and delivers an intriguing alternative to its SEAT cousin.

It looks hot and sporty, all creases and angles, shod with dark alloy 19-inch alloys and copper colour Brembo brake callipers and featuring the signature red and copper colour scheme, as the CUPRA premium spin-off from parent SEAT continues to grow.

This Ateca delivers a striking profile, with a redesigned bumper, full LED headlights and quad tailpipes.

Those looks do not deceive as the performance is a bit special. The two-litre engine delivers stunning performance, into the hottest of hot hatch territory, hitting 60mph in just 4.9 seconds.

Inside the car offers high-end trim and upholstery again with the brand’s logo incorporated into the sports seats headrests, with copper and red stitching also prominent.

It looks sporty, but the layout and design are logical and intuitive, with the centrepiece a hi-tech 10-inch digital driver info screen and 9.2-inch central touchscreen which features CUPRA Connect technology.

This provides Full Link smartphone integration for Apple or Android phones as well as infotainment and navigation system.

Starting at around £42k, it is anything but cheap, but it in its segment is competitive with the entry level VZ1 offering an impressive range of standard equipment, such as air conditioning, media touch screen, Bluetooth, and safety kit like tiredness recognition, emergency braking and pedestrian protection systems as well as a full range of airbags

This range-topping, four-wheel drive model adds a seven-speed DSG auto gearbox, heated leather bucket seats, electric tailgate, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, electric tailgate, folding door mirrors, sat nav, DAB digital radio and 360-degree parking camera and a host of active and passive safety systems and alerts, including ABS, traction and stability control.

If it looks like it is designed for performance, it is, but it is still a capable and practical family. vehicle with decent head and legroom. Boot space is excellent with 510 litres available, expanding to 1,604 if you decide to want to bring along the kitchen sink.

Performance is blistering, hitting the 60mph benchmark in what seems the blink of an eye, and mated to a seven-speed DSG auto box, it slips through the gears while there is a satisfying growl from the quad exhausts.

Despite the rampant performance, economy is pretty good, with official figures indicating 46mpg is achievable.

The lowered and stiffened sports suspension means this is no magic carpet ride, but handling is impressive, with bags of grip, while the four-wheel drive offers extra stability when called upon, as does the electronic differential lock system.

It’s not just about the power, to achieve economy of 30mpg plus on a car of this type is equally impressive.

Definitely a firm ride which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but open it up on twisting country lanes and it delivers a thrilling drive.

Factfile

CUPRA Ateca 2.0 TSI 300PS 4Drive DSG

Price: £48,530

Mechanical: 300PS, two litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine driving all wheels via a 7-speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 155mph

0-62mph: 4.9 seconds

Combined mpg: 46  (WLTP combined cycle)

Insurance group: 32E

CO2 emissions: 202g/km

BiK rating: 37%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

CUPRA, electric, Family hatchback, Manufacturer, Vehicle type

Electric newcomer a BORN winner

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Cupra BORN

By Bill McCarthy

CUPRA is making a big impact despite only being a separate brand for a short time.

Since its launch as an independent spin-off from SEAT in 2018, sales have shot up and CUPRA closed 2019 with a growth of 72 per cent over the previous year with nearly 25,000 units sold.

Certainly, in terms of attracting attention from potential electric car owners, the firm’s first fully electric model, the BORN, provoked much interest.

A five-door hatchback, the firm says that ‘exterior design delivers a strong sporty character, expressing agility and performance with a mix of flowing surfaces and technical details’. 

That may be the case, but its hard not to spot the similarities with VW stablemate the ID.3.

Given that it is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB architecture, that should be no surprise.

But it is very much a standout model in its own right, particularly retaining the sporty edge that parent firm SEAT is famous for.

It comes with three trim levels V1, V2 and the range-topping V3 driven here. All are well equipped and feature cutting-edge technology.

It’s stylish and the front features full LED headlights, flanking a slim distinctive grille.

Dominant is the copper-coloured CUPRA badge and copper trim features prominently while sporty features include tinted rear windows and eye-catching aerodynamic alloy wheels.

To the rear, the CUPRA badge is again dominant where you might expect to see the word BORN and sits below a full-width light bar that wraps around the rear wings.

Another neat touch are the puddle lamps which display the CUPRA logo on the floor in front of you.

It looks the part as does the interior, which is designed to be environmentally friendly using recycled materials.

Like many electric cars, it seems to be designed with a ‘less is more’ philosophy, with a standard floating 12-inch infotainment touchscreen controlling most functions and an absence of buttons and switches.

The touchscreen hosts a high-end infotainment system, access to online services, downloadable apps, safety and service features, as well as remote access and smartphone connectivity.

The new “CUPRA CONNECT” smartphone application can also control functions away from the car.

A small digital display also shows the speed, range and sat-nav instructions.

While the absence of switch clutter might be good. 

The interior is upholstered in a range of recycled materials that deliver a premium, quality feel, including the standard bucket seats, which are powered and offer a massage function on this model, while the copper accents and stitching abound adding to the high end feel.

Drive selection is via rotating knob on the dashboard, which means space between the two front occupants is maximised for storage purposes.

I found using the touchscreen and steering wheel controls frustrating. The haptic touch is very sensitive and distracting when driving. However, these can be mastered over time.

A small 5.3-inch digital display offers further information while the Augmented Reality Head-Up Display gives driver information on what’s ahead on the road.

There are four battery variants with capacities of 45, 58 and 77kWh.

Rear wheel drive, performance is, well, electric. In typical electric car style, acceleration is quick, with this model, featuring the 58kWh battery hitting 62mph in 7.5 seconds.

It is quick and the handling is also excellent thanks to the battery being placed in the centre of the car for greater stability, while the Dynamic Chassis Control ensures a smooth ride on even the worst surface.

This model boasts a range of 261 miles, but the best I got was nearer 225, which is good enough to diminish any range anxiety

This model can be charged on a 120kW charger, from 5-80% in around 26 minutes. 

Factfile

CUPRA Born 58kWh V3

Price: £38,390

Mechanical: 204PS, 58kWh battery and automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.

Max Speed: 99mph

0-62mph: 7.5 seconds

Range: 265 miles (WMTL)

Insurance Group: 25

C02 emissions: 0g/km

Bik rating: 2%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles