The CUPRA brand, born from SEAT’s award-winning motorsport division, is the ultimate expression of uniqueness, sophistication and performance, constructed through passion and designed to captivate car enthusiasts around the world, creating vehicles that aren’t founded in nostalgia but rooted in the present.

Some of the most experienced and engaged staff within the motorsport division have created a new dimension of the company – an alternative outlet for its competences and capabilities as an organisation.

CUPRA will create an even livelier range of products focusing on SEAT models. They will leverage the Volkswagen Group’s powerful technological toolkit and access the huge array of possibilities it gives them, but they will also be open to cooperating with people and companies which talk the same language and share the same experiences: merchandising, accessories, events and, of course, motorsport.

As the brand diversifies its business and develops new models that offer the perfect mix of performance, driveability and usability, CUPRA will leverage the existing infrastructure that SEAT benefits from, with dedicated floor space in 277 specially selected dealerships across Europe.

CUPRA has also re-entered the world of touring cars, competing in the TCR series in 2018 and working towards the first season of eTCR in 2020 with its eRacer concept.

CUPRA was launched as a standalone brand last February with the preview of its first model, a high-performance SUV that marks the beginning of a new era.

CUPRA Ateca: at a glance


  • CUPRA Ateca is the first model to be launched under the new CUPRA brand
  • Combines sportiness and practicality in a sophisticated design with the highest performance of any SUV outside of premium manufacturers
  • 300PS and 400Nm of torque available from its 0-litre TSI petrol engine
  • Seven-speed DSG transmission linked to a 4Drive all-wheel-drive system
  • Top speed of 153mph; 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds
  • NEDC equivalent CO2 emissions of 168g/km, with efficiency figures of 2mpg on the WLTP cycle
  • Features CUPRA body styling, exclusive diamond cut alloy wheels, glossy black exterior details and striking new CUPRA logo and lettering
  • Interior features leather sports steering wheel and black Alcantara® sports seats embossed with CUPRA logo
  • Standard equipment includes keyless entry and start system, wireless charging, 8-inch touchscreen system, Dynamic Chassis Control and Park Assist
  • Options include Alcantara bucket seats, Comfort & Sound Pack and Design Pack
  • Produced in Kvasiny, Czech Republic
  • 25 CUPRA specialist dealers in the UK will launch by the end of Q1 2019
  • CUPRA Ateca comes with the affordable price tag of £35,900 OTR
  • CUPRA Care package – first three manufacturer scheduled services and a brake fluid change, three years’ European roadside assistance and the first replacement of maintenance jobs including pollen filter, front brake pads and front wiper blades – included in price
  • First 160 UK customers will receive a limited-edition welcome gift – a CUPRA Member Box made from real carbon fibre and embossed with the CUPRA logo in Inside, customers will find a high-quality carbon fibre CUPRA key cover and a premium carbon fibre CUPRA wristband.


Exterior design


Led by Design Director Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, the CUPRA Ateca’s exterior design offers a striking look that instantly distinguishes it as a high- performance vehicle. Its muscular proportions leave no doubt that the the CUPRA Ateca is an extremely dynamic SUV.

To the front, its upper grille features a honeycomb effect on the inside with the new CUPRA logo at its centre, reinforcing its new brand lineage. On the lower grille the CUPRA name sits subtley and is finished in matt aluminium, just above the bumper.

The CUPRA Ateca’s powerful front end continues with signature full-LED headlights, which not only offer tremendous brightness but also underscore the SUV’s broad, muscular stance and purposeful appearance. As soon as you unlock the doors, LEDs in the exterior mirrors
illuminate the area close to the door sills, projecting a welcome puddle light of the CUPRA logo and lettering onto the ground.

The CUPRA Ateca’s glossy black trim details appear throughout the exterior design: the roof rails, wing mirrors, window frames, side mouldings, wheels, front grille and front and rear diffusers, as well as the spoilers that frame the rear window, all benefit from this design touch.

Black brake callipers, a sporty rear bumper, the copper CUPRA logo on the boot, its four exhaust pipes on the edge of the rear diffuser and exclusive 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels with the CUPRA logo all underline the sportiness and dynamism of the SUV.

There are six exterior detail enhancing metallic paints available: Energy Blue, Velvet Red, Brilliant Silver, Rodium Grey, Magic Black or Nevada White.

Interior design

Once inside, the CUPRA Ateca’s interior exudes a combination of driver focus, comfort and refinement, offering the perception of a vehicle designed to meet the highest performance targets, while still being able to carry its occupants in complete comfort.

Underlining the new brand, the CUPRA logo is embossed on the floor mats, the key and the multimedia system touchscreen when the engine is started.

The door panels are upholstered in Alcantara®, with the CUPRA lettering illuminated on an aluminium plaque standing proud on the door sills. The sports seats are also upholstered in Alcantara®, in black with copper stitching and carbon fibre-effect covering the sides.

When cocooned in the driver’s seat, the driver will also see the copper stitching continue on the sports leather steering wheel, which houses an embossed CUPRA logo at its centre, and on the gear knob. The pedals are finished in aluminium to complete the feeling of being in control of a premium vehicle.

Elsewhere in the cabin, the high-end feel continues with the climate control air vent frames finished in either silver or gloss black (with the Design option). The central console, which houses the drive select control system and gear shifter, also has the option to be finished in either silver or gloss black.

Directly in front of the driver is the digital cockpit that provides information in the clearest of forms thanks to its crisp, high-resolution display, supported by the 8-inch touchscreen navigation system plus in the centre of the dash. Both of these technologies aid the driver and help affirm the sense of refinement.

Connectivity


The CUPRA Ateca merges the highest levels of on-road performance with exceptional levels of infotainment and connectivity, offering the latest generation of Full Link (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) as well as the most advanced digital displays in the segment.

Standard equipment in the CUPRA Ateca is based upon three basic principles: technology, design and safety. Therefore, systems such as keyless entry and start, wireless charger, 360º top view camera, 8-inch touchscreen navigation system plus, digital cockpit, and park assist all come as standard.

The digital cockpit with a 133dpi, 1280 x 480 pixel TFT display not only offers greater levels of functionality but allows the driver to view all information that is relevant to them. The digital cockpit displays everything from classic analogue dials such as speedometer and tachometer to full- colour maps and navigation in a focused and intuitive system. Transitions between the available information are seamless thanks to its 75Hz refresh rate.

An exclusive, sporty display within the digital cockpit has been specifically developed for the CUPRA Ateca, giving the rev-counter prominence so that it can be viewed with greater clarity.

The digital cockpit is augmented by the 8-inch touchscreen, which can display everyday functions such as navigation information and entertainment as well as supply important performance-related information, for example oil temperature and G-forces during more spirited driving.

Integrating the SEAT Full Link connectivity suite, the CUPRA Ateca brings a host of functionality into the high-performance SUV’s cabin straight from customers’ smartphones. Content is mirrored in the vehicle’s display, giving access to apps and information, but in safe way.

This minimises distractions, allowing the driver to keep both eyes on the road.

Performance and Dynamics


The essence of every CUPRA is its power, performance and driveability. To meet these demands, under the CUPRA Ateca’s bonnet is one of the most advanced four-cylinder petrol engines on the market today.

The 1,984cc direct-injection, turbocharged unit has a bore of 82.5mm and stroke of 92.8mm, with a compression ratio of 9.3:1. This helps it achieve its impressive power output of 300PS between 5,300rpm and 6,500rpm. Add to this a huge 400Nm of torque available at a wide range of 2,000- 5,200rpm and the CUPRA Ateca can reach a top speed of 153mph.

Thanks to the CUPRA Ateca’s mix of low weight (weighing just 1,540kg without driver) and high output engine, the SUV can reach 62mph from a standing start in just 5.2 seconds.

This rapid acceleration is helped by the integration of the newly developed seven-speed DSG transmission, engineered to offer a sportier feel with faster, smoother and more precise changes. The CUPRA Ateca also features launch control for even greater acceleration from a standing start.

Combined with the four exhausts at the rear, the CUPRA Ateca’s on-road performance is matched by its powerful sound, amplifying the sense of drama from every seat.

These developments aren’t solely about absolute performance: the CUPRA Ateca also incorporates technologies to improve efficiency so that it also delivers as an everyday car.

The seven-speed gearbox has been modified to combine excellent performance with low levels of fuel consumption, while the 2.0-litre TSI engine works with a newly designed Otto Particulate Filter System to fulfil the latest emissions legislation.

These developments mean that carbon emissions for the CUPRA Ateca sit at 168g/km with fuel efficiency figures of 38.2mpg (NEDC equivalent).

Chassis


The CUPRA Ateca benefits from an independent front suspension setup using MacPherson struts and a multilink rear, whilst also integrating an adaptive suspension system – Dynamic Chassis Control – to provide a setup that can be adjusted to the driver’s needs.

Additionally, the CUPRA Ateca integrates the 4Drive traction system, one of the safest, most advanced integrated traction systems in the world. The all-wheel drive 4Drive technology analyses road conditions in real time, including the speed of the car, speed of each wheel, the steering wheel position, and the driving style or mode to quickly and progressively deliver power at each moment to the wheels that need it. The 4Drive system is designed to enhance the driveability of the CUPRA Ateca no matter what the conditions.

4Drive has been optimised to work together with all the available driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Individual, Snow, Off-Road and CUPRA mode.

When selecting the CUPRA mode in the Drive Profile, drivers will hear the engine react immediately with a refined yet natural sound coming from the exhaust. They will also notice the adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control setup adjust to give a sportier edge to the car. Choosing any of the other driving modes will also present a discernable change to the CUPRA Ateca’s character.

To assist the driver in controlling the performance of the Ateca, engineers have upgraded the CUPRA Ateca’s braking system. The SUV now benefits from larger front and rear discs, at 340mm and 310mm respectively, giving greater confidence in the SUV. As an option, the Performance Pack adds 18-inch Brembo brakes in black, providing higher performance under braking and better cooling thanks to its ventilated discs.

Thanks to the combination of chassis technologies and a progressive steering system, the setup guarantees not only a superlative drive but an intuitive connection between vehicle and driver.

Technical Data

2.0 TSI 300 PS 7-speed DSG 4Drive
ENGINE
Cylinder/Valve (Total) 4 Cyl. - 16v
Displacement (cc) 1,984
Bore and stroke (mm) 82.5 x 92.8
Compression ratio 9.3
Maximum power (kW/PS/rpm) 221/300/5,300-6,500
Max. Torque (Nm/rpm) 400/2,000-5,200
Fuel supply system TSI Direct-Injection
Ignition Electronic map-contolled ignition
Fuel type ROZ 98
Emissions standard EU6
Alternator (A) 110-180
Battery (Ah) 59-68/320-380
PERFORMANCE

Max. Speed (mph) 153
Acceleration 0-62mph (s) 5.2
MASS EMISSION
CO2 Combined NEDC (g/km) 168
FUEL CONSUMPTION – NEDC (mpg)
Urban 31.7
Extra urban 43.5
Combined 38.2
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox type: 7-speed DSG gearbox with Start-Stop
I 3.400
II 2.750
III 1.767
IV 0.925
V 0.705
VI 0.755
VII 0.635
R 2.900
Group ratio 4.812 (1) 3,667 (2)
CHASSIS
Front suspension Independent Type McPherson - coil
springs - hydraulic shock absorber
Rear suspension Multilink axle, coil springs and hydraulic
shock absorber
Steering system Progressive steering
Turning diameter (m) 10.8
Brake system Dual hydraulic circuit and brake system
diagonal split with brake booster
Front / Rear brake type Front ventilated disc brakes and rear solid
disc brakes
Front brakes (mm) 340 x 30
Rear brakes (mm) 310 x 22
Wheels (inch) 19
Tyres 245/40 R19

PACKAGE
Body type A-SUV
Length / width / height (mm) 4,376/1,841/1,611
Wheelbase (mm) 2,631
Front/Rear track (mm) 1,573/1,547
Boot capacity (l) 485
Petrol tank capacity (l) 55
WEIGHTS
In running order with driver (kg) 1,615
Max. Weight allowed (kg) 2,150

UK specifications


The CUPRA Ateca is priced at £35,900 OTR in the UK with standard specification highlights including:


  • 19-inch exclusive diamond-cut alloy wheels
  • Metallic paint in a choice of six colours
  • CUPRA welcome puddle lights
  • Electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors
  • Full LED headlights
  • Dark tinted rear windows
  • Illuminated front door sills with CUPRA lettering
  • Black brake callipers wih CUPRA logo
  • Nav System Plus: 8-inch colour diaply with 3D mapping, 2x USB and Aux ports to the front, 2x USB ports to rear, Bluetooth connectivity and wireless charging
  • Full Link smartphone integration for CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Rear armrest with air outlet
  • Easy backseat release mechanism from boot
  • Alcantara sports seats in black
  • Park Assist with front and rear sensors, rearview camera and 360° top view camera
  • Electric handbrake with Autohold function
  • Keyless entry and go (KESSY)
  • Cruise control
  • Convenience Pack: autodimming rear mirror, auto headlights with leaving and coming home function, rain sensing wipers
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • CUPRA drive profile with four modes: Normal, Sport, CUPRA and Individual; altering the steering and throttle responses, gear shifts, sound actuator and Dynamic Chassis Control
  • CUPRA sports suspension
  • Progressive steering
  • Seven airbags protecting driver and front passenger
  • Advanced Driving Safety Pack: high beam assist, lane assist, blind psot detection and rear-cross traffic alert
  • Front Assist: City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Protection
  • Hill-hold control
  • Tiredness recognition


For an extra £1,930 OTR (£37,830 OTR), CUPRA Ateca Comfort & Sound receives:


  • Advanced comfort and driving pack (Traffic sign recognition, Lane assist, High beam assist)
  • Spacesaver spare wheel*
  • Electric tailgate
  • Beats audio system
  • Winter pack (heated front seats)


Alternatively, CUPRA Ateca Design is also available at a premium of £3,345 OTR (£39,245 OTR) with:


  • 18-inch Brembo brakes
  • 19-inch exclusive copper wheels
  • Black interior styling


CUPRA Ateca can also be specified with all features from both Comfort & Sound and Design, at a price of £41,175.

Other options available are:


  • Spacesaver spare wheel: £115 RRP
  • Towbar pre-installation with hook: £690 RRP
  • Towbar pre-installation: £125 RRP
  • Panoramic sunroof with multi-colour interior ambient lighting with LED interior illumination and LED-illuminated glovebox: £1,040
  • CUPRA bucket seats: £1,600


Ownership

CO2
(g/km)
VED Yr 1 MPG BiK Ins.
Group
P11D RRP
CUPRA Ateca 168 £515 38.2 34% 33E £35,330 £35,900
CUPRA Ateca
Comfort & Sound
168 £515 38.2 34% TBC £37,260 £37,830
CUPRA Ateca
Design
168 £515 38.2 34% TBC £38,675 £39,245
CUPRA Ateca
Comfort & Sound, Design
168 £515 38.2 34% TBC £40,605 £41,175

*when combining Comfort & Sound and Design, spacesaver spare wheel becomes a Tyre Fit

CUPRA history


1985 SEAT Sport is created, beginning with a 1.6-litre Ibiza for competing in national rally competitions around Europe.
1995 SEAT Sport designs and builds a 2.0-litre Ibiza GTi 16v for the FIA 2.0- litre World Rally Cup (then WRC feeder series).
1996 The Ibiza CUPRA was launched as a celebration of the brand’s first world title in the World Rally Cup. SEAT ended up winning the championship in 1997 and 1998 – the only manufactuer to claim more tan one title.
1998 SEAT Sport graduated into the WRC with the Cordoba, debuting at Rally Finland.
1999 As the Leon launched, so did its CUPRA variant, boasting 180hp. With this, buyers only had the choice of Red, Black or Yellow paint as an homage to the colours of both Spain's and Germany's national flags (a reference to the roots of the joint project between SEAT and VW). Toni Gardemeister put his Cordoba WRC on the podium at Rally NZ with third place.
2000 A second podium by Didier Auriol in the Cordoba followed at the gruelling Safari Rally. In celebration, the Cordoba CUPRA was launched, sharing the same 156hp, 1.8-litre engine as the Ibiza CUPRA however SEAT Sport withdrew from the WRC at the end of the 2000 season.
2001 Limited to just 200, the Ibiza CUPRA R received a boost to 180hp and added Brembo brakes, additional badging and OZ alloy wheels.
2002 The Leon CUPRA TDI launches, receiving 150hp and a huge 236lb ft of torque. Its 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds with economy of 52mpg made it an attractive proposition for many. The Leon CUPRA R launched later in the year, with an increased power output of 210hp.
2003 To boost the Leon CUPRA sales, the SEAT CUPRA Championship was created in the UK, running as part of the TOCA package. A number of future stars took part in the series, including BTCC star Gordon Shedden and WTCC champion Rob Huff.
2004 Third generation Ibiza launches with CUPRA version – 1.8-litre turbocharged engine and 180hp as standard. Rickard Rydell secured SEAT’s first victory in the ETCC at the Oschersleben, Germany. In the UK, Toldeo CUPRA entered BTCC with a victory at the season opener of Thruxton. The team went on to win 9 races out of 30 that season.
2006 Shapely new Mk2 Leon CUPRA launches with 240hp taken from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with new sports suspension, 18-inch alloys and bigger brakes. SEAT then took yet more wins in the recently created WTCC in the racing version of the new Mk2 Leon CUPRA. The Mk2 Leon CUPRA also made its debut in the BTCC, taking 11 wins from 30 and winning the manufacturer’s title.
2008 Leon CUPRA TDI (introduced to customers in 2008) is SEAT’s competitor for the WTCC with Yvan Muller, Gabriele Tarquini, Jordi Gene and Rydell. The team took 11 wins and Muller won the Drivers’ Championship.
2009 SEAT Ibiza CUPRA Bocanegre, based on Mk4 Ibiza launches. The special edition received a distinctive black nose reminiscent of the SEAT 1200 Sport in the 1970s. It had 180hp and 7-speed DSG gearbox as standard.
Gabriele Tarquini wins the 2009 WTCC Drivers’ Championship, however SEAT withdraws from the series at the end of the season.
2010 The ultimate version of the Mk2 Leon CUPRA launches – the Leon CUPRA R – with 265hp and 258lb ft of torque.
2014 SEAT Leon CUPRA 265 and 280 go on sale, based on the Mk3 Leon. The two different versions with either 265hp or 280hp both received a 2- litre turbocharged petrol engine and came with a choice of either manual or DSG. Both had 0-62mph times of under 6 seconds – a first for any SEAT roadcar. It became the first hothatch to lap the Nurburgring in under 8 minutes (7:58:4, driven by Jordi Gene). A ‘Sub-8’ special edition was created in the record’s honour with uprated Brembo brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres and orange 19-inch wheels.
2015 SEAT returns to touring cars, creating the Leon Cup Racer and supporting a number of customer teams in national and international race series. The Leon ST CUPRA launches – an estate version of the Leon CUPRA – with 280hp and 1,500-litre boot space (with rear seats folded flat). The facelifted Ibiza CUPRA went on sale with a new engine – a 1.8- litre turbocharged petrol, outputting 192hp and 240lb ft of torque.
2017 Leon CUPRA 300 is revealed – engine is uprated to 300hp and 280lb ft of torque. The ST also gained 4WD and a DSG gearbox as standard.
Leon CUPRA R launches at the end of the year, with another rise in horsepower to 310hp. With a 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 155mph, 24 came to the UK and sold out immediately. It received copper trim to the wheels, badges, door mirrors and interior stitching. An ST version followed.
2018 CUPRA announces in March that it was to become a separate arm of SEAT, launching its own vehicle range and re-entering touring car series. The vehicle to launch the brand would be the CUPRA Ateca. The CUPRA TCR is also unveiled, to take part in the new TCR championship, with the racer proving to be very successful. An electric variant is planned for the start of the eTCR series in 2020.