Category Archives: Motoring

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

Crossover, Motoring, Volkswagen

Roc solid performer from VW

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Volkswagen T-Roc

By Bill McCarthy

Stylish, economical and impressively kitted out, it’s hard not to like VW’s compact SUV. The T-Roc, upgraded in  March 2022, has sold more than one million units worldwide

There are three versions, Life, Style and R Line driven here, with the very rapid R and cabriolet also available.

 It offers pretty good value for money, with the entry level offering a good range of standard kit.

In basic standard mode, it’s not exactly a show-stopper, but the upmarket R-Line adds bells and whistles to transform that perception.

It offers a more aggressive, sporty look with extra body kit, larger diameter alloy wheels, sports suspension, silver roof rails, while the ‘R-Line’ badging is always prominent.

It is based on Volkswagen’s flexible modular transverse matrix (MQB). which provides improved interior space and has one of the biggest stowage areas in its class, with 445 litres with the rear seats in place.

This increases substantially with the rear seats folded to a maximum of 1,290 litres. Extra space is available with a driver’s under seat drawer and front seatback storage pockets.

There are five engine options, with diesel power still available, ranging from 110 PS to 190 PS, plus the bonkers quick 300PS R version.

 The 1.5 litre 150PS petrol engine on this model mated to the seven-speed DSG auto box is a refined unit that delivers sharp performance through seamless gear shifts.

It has three driving modes and can hit 60mph in just over eight seconds, quick enough for most circumstances, but is also pretty frugal.

Equipped with Active Cylinder Management (ACT) which delivers automatic deactivation of two cylinders, thus saving fuel and delivering economy of around 45mpg.

It looks like a premium vehicle and is equipped accordingly. All models receive hi tech safety systems like passenger protection, braking and lane assist plus assisted braking and radar parking sensors and pedestrian detection systems.

The interior offers typical VW quality build, with logical controls and solid fixtures and fittings, with this model featuring sports front comfort seats with ‘R-Line’ logo on backrest.

The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel has aluminium inserts and ‘R-Line’ logo and rounding off the sporty look are stainless steel pedals and piano black decorative trim to the centre console and front door trim panels.

The digital cockpit includes a central touchscreen which controls smartphone connectivity, navigation and infotainment, while an eight-inch TFT colour screen behind the steering wheel provides real time driver information. The Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3), gives access to various online-based functions and streaming services.

Despite the sporty suspension on this model, the ride comfortable and passenger comfort pretty much assured with a well-insulated cabin drowning out most wind, tyre or engine noise.

As a compact SUV there some evidence of body roll with its higher stance on the road, but it offers good grip while the steering is direct 

Factfile

Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 R Design

Price: £33,580

Mechanical: 150ps, 1,498cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 7-speed DSG auto gearbox

Max speed: 127mph

0-62mph: 8.3 seconds

Combined mpg: 46.3

Insurance group: 23

CO2 emissions: 138g/km

BiK rating: 32%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles