Cupra Ateca. A little goes a long way
The Cupra Ateca is a compact 5-seater SUV, produced since 2018 by SEAT (Spain) under the independent Cupra brand. Ateca is the first model of the new brand, built on the basis of the SEAT model of the same name, the first sports SUV from the CUPRA brand. The market currently offers the first generation SUV, restyled in 2020 (as of 2021).
In 2018, Cupra was spun off from SEAT and became another brand in the large Volkswagen family. The name, which, since 1996, has designated ‘charged’ versions of SEAT cars, has become an independent brand operating under the wing of the parent company. Wayne Griffiths, Sales and Marketing Executive Vice-President, believes that SEAT should double sales of its ‘hot’ models in four to five years.
The Cupra Ateca differs from the original SEAT Ateca by its powerful engine (2 liters and 300 hp) that runs together with a DSG semi-automatic gearbox, all-wheel drive transmission, a long list of equipment and gorgeous interior. The SUV is equipped, as standard, with adaptive dampers and 19-inch wheels, has six driving modes, differing in the settings of the power train, steering mechanism and chassis, with the most extreme being called Cupra. In short, the ‘charged’ version is a completely different vehicle, produced under its own brand.
The first generation
It has been produced from 2018 to the present (as of 2021). The world premiere of the Cupra Ateca SUV with a 300 hp engine took place at the Geneva Motor Show. The new Cupra Ateca differs from the original SEAT Ateca by a radiator grille, a front bumper with enlarged air intakes and 19-inch alloy wheels that reveal black brake calipers. The rear part is also quite formidable, comprising a raised bumper with a diffuser and 4 exhaust pipes. The exterior trim is free of chrome parts, which have been replaced with glossy black elements.
The passenger compartment is equipped with sports seats finished with leather and Alcantara, a steering wheel, beveled along a chord, and metal pedal pads. The basic equipment includes: a virtual dashboard, multimedia system with an 8-inch display and navigation, all-round cameras, a keyless access system, LED headlights, electronically controlled shock absorbers, a driving mode selection system (Normal, Sport, Individual, Snow, Off-Road and Cupra). Each mode offers its specific settings for the engine, suspension, steering and exhaust system. As an option, you can install the Performance package: powerful Brembo brakes with enlarged brake discs, carbon fiber interior trim, and leather upholstered seats.
The ‘charged’ version is a completely different vehicle, produced under its own brand.
The 2018/2019 Cupra Ateca is equipped with a 300-horsepower 4-cylinder 2.0 TSI turbo engine, producing 400 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DSG preselective transmission. As a result, this model equipped with a fifth-generation Haldex clutch accelerates to 100 km in 5.4 seconds at a top speed of 245 km/h. There will be no direct competitors among other SUVs, because ‘civilian’ versions of this size can offer a maximum of 220 hp, and ‘charged’ models of the premium segment are more expensive and more powerful (340-380 hp).
2020 restyling
After the 2020 restyling, the Cupra Ateca has acquired new bumpers, a new grille, standard LED headlights and taillights. The Cupra has had virtual tools before, and now it comes with a new 9.2-inch media system that recognizes voice commands and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new Cupra Ateca now has a steering wheel with two additional buttons. The left one switches the driving electronics into the most extreme Cupra mode (press the next button to select Normal, Sport, Individual, Offroad or Snow mode). The right button starts and stops the engine.
The 2020/2021 Cupra Ateca is equipped with a 2.0 TSI 4-cylinder turbo engine (300 hp, 400 Nm), a 7-speed DSG semi-automatic gearbox and 4Drive all-wheel drive with a clutch on the rear axle. The maximum speed amount to 247 km/h, while the acceleration time to 100 km/h has been reduced to 4.9 seconds (instead of the previous 5.2). Adaptive DCC suspension and 19-inch wheels are included in the standard equipment.
