It may have slipped people’s notice with the pandemic going on that a new, well newish, car brand has appeared.

Cupra is a name well-known to SEAT enthusiasts and was the badge given to more sporting models, being a combination of Cup and Racing, ergo Cupra.

Now, a bit like DS with Citroen, it has split and become a brand of its own, while remaining part of SEAT, and as the new kid on the block, offering a shiny new badge.

It has become unashamedly high end and sporty and the firm has announced a number of updates for the 2022 model. And with the curiously named all-electric Born on the horizon, it ticks most boxes for drive options.

There are four models which Cupra showcased on a driving event, the Cupra Ateca, Cupra Leon hatch and estate and the Formentor SUV.

It is fair to say that the Spanish firm’s sporty tradition is in safe hands with Cupra as all feature sharp, angular styling, distinctive alloy wheels and striking light clusters. Interiors are classy and the car delivers the kind of drive you would expect from Cupra.

I drove four of the vehicles, the Formentor 1.5 TSI V2 150PS DSG, pretty much the entry level for this model and featuring a  150PS 1.5 TSI petrol engine and capable of hitting 60mph in a smidge under nine seconds.

 This was followed by the all wheel drive powerhouse Leon Estate 2.0 TSI. Priced at 40,535, the 310PS two litre power unit here propels the car to 60mph in just under five seconds, while still delivering economy in the mid-30s mpg. 

Next up, the same power in the SUV Formentor, just over £100 more expensive, at £40,620, with virtually identical performance, but as its a heavier car, a slight drop in economy into the lower 30s mpg.

Last up was the Leon hatchback, priced at £36,760 and again delivering hot performance.

This time the two litre unit develops 300PS  and hits 60 in 5.7 seconds with economy in the mid to late 30s mpg.

Even the entry level at a little over £31k offers a comprehensive list of standard kit while still delivering an excellent drive.

In true SEAT style all offer hot performance while the 310PS models, particularly when mated to the four wheel drive, offer exhilarating performance.

The separation looks to be a shrewd move by the VW-owned Spanish firm, offering traditional SEAT sporty performance, but now with an altogether more upmarket feel, while the Cupra badge is stylish enough to rouse people’s curiosity.

All variants of the Leon and Formentor equipped with a DSG-auto gearbox also get a heated steering wheel as standard, while on the Formentor an electric tailgate is now an available option on V1 and V2 trims, and a top view camera can be added to the VZ2 and VZ3 trims.

Prices for the CUPRA Leon start at £31,555 for the Leon hatch VZ1 trim 2.0-litre TSI 245ps DSG-auto and rise to £40,535 for the range-topping Leon Estate VZ3 2.0-litre TSI 310ps DSG-auto 4Drive.

Formentor prices start at £27,745 OTR for V1 1.5-litre TSI 150ps, rising to £42,990 OTR for VZ3 2.0-litre TSI 310ps DSG-auto 4Drive.

Tesla 3

By Bill McCarthy

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THERE is little doubt that Tesla has captured the imagination of the electric vehicle market as they become more and more common on UK roads. Conceived in Silicon Valley, after a slow start, the brand is now a runaway success.

The vehicles have incredible range, particularly with the twin motor model, minimalist, although high-end executive interior, and in its most sporty form, supercar challenging performance.

Designed as a mass market electric saloon, that’s exactly what it looks like. That is not to say it looks drab or mundane. It has sharp, coupe-like styling with only the rear spoiler hinting at the performance, while the 18-inch Aero wheels are striking and distinctive.

The range starts with the three specification Model 3, which at just over £40k for an executive, fully electric car, is a competitive price.

That has a claimed range of 278 miles, while this mid-range model driven here features a second electric motor, which boosts the mileage to well over 350 miles and adds the versatility of all wheel drive. The interior, particularly in this trim, is light and airy, much assisted by a full length panoramic roof.

Capable of seating four people in comfort, it is finished in high quality trim and soft touch luxury. This model featured the optional Black and White Premium interior, a mixture of piano black and sumptuous white leather, which will set you back more than a grand.

The most revolutionary innovation is the brains of the car, a 15-inch tablet. It sits in the centre of a slimline dash, and controls virtually every function. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but the lack of other traditional controls adds to the minimalist look

There are a couple of steering wheel controls, an indicator stalk and a transmission selector stalk. No binnacle with dials, just for the most part, the touchscreen. This controls sat nav, connectivity, headlights, mirrors, wipers, steering wheel position and cruise control, you can even open the boot from there. In true tablet style it also includes a number of games to keep you occupied, maybe while waiting for it to charge at a charging station.

Recent upgrades also include phone charging mats, plus extra USB ports.  The cars also regularly receive over-the-air software updates that add new features, increased performance and enhance existing functionality via Wi-Fi.  It has recently received more than 20 software releases and more than 70 new features or improvements.

But the tablet tells the driver everything they need to know, although constantly glancing at the tablet to check speed and range can be distracting.

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On the road, the Tesla is a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It may not look  like a hot performer, but in true electric car style, acceleration is instant and exhilarating. This model hits 60mph in just over four seconds and it doesn’t run out of puff after the initial burst, accelerating up to 145 mph where permitted.

The 50-50 weight distribution of the battery, which runs the length of the floor pan,  and the two electric motors, front and rear, means it his highly stable delivering the kind of handling you would expect from near supercar performance, while delivering a firm but comfortable ride for the occupants.

It may be an executive saloon, but it is still practical with effectively two boots, the one to rear is the largest and what would have been the engine compartment serves as a second space to provide a total of 542 litres. The absence of transmission tunnel and other combustion engine spaces, means oddment bins and are deep and plentiful.

It makes sense, obviously, to install a charger at home, while the range means top ups are more likely once a week rather than overnight every night.

Tesla superchargers allow drivers to charge in around half an hour while on longer journeys throughout the UK. They can now also be charged from other 7kW charging points at places like superstores.

Teslas are packed with safety features. The structure is a combination of aluminium and steel, for maximum strength while airbags and assisted braking and stability are mated with Basic Autopilot. Thus  comes as standard and enables your car to steer, accelerate and brake automatically for other vehicles and pedestrians within its lane.

Factfile

Tesla Model 3 Long Range

Price: £47,500

Mechanical: 351bhp, 258 kW, dual electric motors driving all wheels via single speed manual transmission

Max Speed: 145mph

0-62mph: 4.2 seconds

Combined range: 360 miles

Insurance Group: 50

C02 emissions: 0g/km

Warranty: 4yrs/50,000 miles