Pricing and specification announced for new Cupra Ateca
The first car from Seat’s new standalone performance sub-brand will start at £35,
Seat’s newly spun-off performance arm, Cupra, has opened the order books for its first model — the Ateca.
As standard for its £35,900 asking price, the Cupra Ateca is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, black Alcantara seats, a ‘virtual cockpit’ digital instrument cluster, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry, park assist and a wireless phone charger.
Optional equipment includes a Beats audio system, 20-inch wheels, panoramic roof and even a tow bar.
Glossy black detailing abounds on the interior and exterior, featuring on the brake calipers, exhaust pipes, wing mirrors, window frames, grille and spoilers, as well as the centre console and climate control vents. The paint palette is slightly less monochromatic – as well as silver, grey, black and white, customers can opt for ‘Energy Blue’ or ‘Velvet Red.’
Though the Cupra edition does share a lot with the standard Ateca, that means it also rides on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB chassis – the same as high-performance models such as the Audi TT RS and Volkswagen Golf R.
To that end, the Cupra Ateca features a powertrain straight out of the R – incorporating a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 296bhp mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. That endows it with a top speed of 153mph and a 0-60mph sprint of 5.2 seconds.
All Cupra Atecas are four-wheel drive, using Seat’s 4Drive system with Normal, Sport, Individual, Snow, Off-Road and all-new Cupra modes. This not only tweaks the four-wheel drive system, but firms up the suspension and allows more engine noise into the cabin for a sense of added theatre.
The Cupra Ateca will be sold through all Seat dealers, but from 2019 a series of 25 specialist Cupra showrooms will give customers a more tailored experience.
