A few days ago, we went to Italy to discover a mythical place: Lake Como, thanks to Cupra.
We also had the chance to visit the Mantero factory, a luxury brand specializing in silk scarves and originally from the region, as well as the Barca Lariana museum, which is renowned for its collection of vintage boats.
But first of all, we were able to immerse ourselves in the world of this brand-new CUPRA and its brand-new models.
CUPRA, A BRAND IN ITS OWN RIGHT
SEAT has announced the launch of the new CUPRA brand and presented its brand new logo, giving a first glimpse of what the brand will become.
CUPRA has always been SEAT’s sporting expression. The time has come for the brand to forge its own spirit, its own DNA and its own identity by becoming a new entity.
Now, CUPRA, which has always embodied the ultimate expression of SEAT’s sportiness, is born to conquer car enthusiasts the world over. CUPRA is synonymous with uniqueness, sophistication and performance. The time has come to introduce a unique brand to a unique audience.
“CUPRA represents a great opportunity for SEAT, for its customers and for the company’s business,” says SEAT President Luca de Meo. “The whole project makes a dream come true for a category of people who were looking to conquer a new circle of car enthusiasts.”
SEAT is one of the fastest-growing brands in Europe, so the timing is ideal for the launch. What’s more, CUPRA will also encompass the entire motorsport and racing division, an area which until now has been the responsibility of SEAT Sport and which will be directly integrated into the new brand.
SEAT’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Wayne Griffiths, stressed that “our ambition for the CUPRA brand is to double sales over the next 4-5 years, focusing our business model on four main pillars: distribution, partnerships, racing and product.”
CUPRA Formentor: an SUV with a difference
Wayne Griffiths, President and member of the CUPRA Board of Directors, emphasized that “CUPRA’s current success clearly reflects the brand’s popularity in the market”. He also stated that ” CUPRA’s reception exceeds all our expectations, and we want to continue to strengthen this very special brand that appeals to the most demanding car enthusiasts. Now is the time to go full speed ahead with CUPRA.”
The CUPRA Formentor is a real window on the future of the sporty brand. It boasts a spectacular exterior design that immediately catches the eye, and an interior that is a veritable cocoon for driver and passengers alike. What’s more, it incorporates the latest technologies and a powertrain that delivers rigorous performance.
The vehicle combines the advantages of a sports car with the qualities of an SUV, at a time when the crossover segment is set for incredible growth. It displays the ambition, expressiveness and motivation inherent to the brand, and underlines CUPRA’s position as a forward-looking technology brand.
Designed to get noticed
The CUPRA Formentor is an SUV full of character, with forms sculpted to highlight its various attributes. A vehicle that is both sophisticated and emotive.
The CUPRA Formentor is glued as close to the ground as possible to emphasize its sportiness. Visually, the emphasis on the rear of the vehicle and the length of the hood underline its dynamic proportions.
“When it comes to design, the CUPRA Formentor’s strengths lie in the beauty of its proportions, the strength of its lines, the refinement of its surfaces and the sublime color concept. I sincerely believe that the CUPRA Formentor arouses pure desire”, said Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Design Director.
The two-tone bodywork evokes a rugged off-road vehicle, but the styling of the CUPRA Formentor takes advantage of aesthetic techniques to lighten the vehicle’s silhouette. Whereas traditional SUVs have a rough, rugged finish, the CUPRA Formentor benefits from a homogeneous design that greatly amplifies the vehicle’s exterior quality.
The high-quality feel is enhanced by the integration of the infinite light rear lighting concept. This accentuates the unique appearance of the rear of the vehicle. At the same time, the overall design is enhanced by the exclusive matte petrol blue exterior color.
A refined interior
The high-quality interior echoes the expressive exterior design of the CUPRA Formentor. The vehicle’s interior conveys a feeling of modernity and sportiness, with a unique interpretation of the CUPRA trademark.
From the moment the door is opened and the incomparable welcome lighting is projected onto the floor, the occupants of the CUPRA Formentor are enveloped as if in a cocoon. The top-of-the-range interior features a CUPRA steering wheel and leather-wrapped bucket seats.
The dashboard seems to float in the air, providing a horizontal line that links the doors to the front of the cabin. This helps maximize the vehicle’s expressive character. The use of dark chrome and high-gloss black accents gives the interior an upscale look. The sport bucket seats feature carbon fiber backrests. They offer a sensation of lightness while underlining the performance of the CUPRA Formentor. In addition, the driver sits lower and in a more ergonomic position.
Technology takes pride of place on board the vehicle with the integration of the Digital Cockpit, a digital screen that displays all the information needed for driving right in front of the driver. This is accompanied by a panoramic navigation system in the form of a 10-inch floating screen, offering occupants almost infinite resources in terms of functionality and connectivity.
Designed for the future
The CUPRA Formentor is designed to take the brand into the future. It features one of the most advanced propulsion systems to deliver the performance expected of a CUPRA vehicle, but in a sustainable way. The CUPRA Formentor is equipped with a high-performance plug-in hybrid engine, and a powertrain designed to meet today’s demands for performance and efficiency. What’s more, their integration marks the beginnings of the brand’s electrification.
By combining the technology of a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid engine that delivers high power output, with the high torque characteristic of an electric motor, the CUPRA Formentor exceeds the expectations of the performance-minded driver.
This is combined with a DSG dual-clutch transmission to deliver the full 180 kW/245 hp to the wheels. DCC controlled damping with progressive steering and differential lock ensure exceptional performance, whatever the conditions or driving style.
Last but not least, although the CUPRA Formentor has been developed to offer top-level dynamics, the combination of electric motor and combustion engine also helps to reduce the vehicle’s overall fuel consumption, and significantly reduce its CO2 emissions. Finally, thanks to the generous integrated battery, the CUPRA Formentor can run in 100% electric mode for 50 km on the new WLTP cycle (equivalent to a range of around 70 km on the NEDC cycle).
CUPRA Ateca Special Edition
The CUPRA adventure began last February with the launch of the new brand and its first model, the CUPRA Ateca. This high-performance SUV marks the beginning of a new era, and is the ideal car to launch the CUPRA brand on the market.
In a segment dominated by high-end brands, the launch of the CUPRA Ateca reshuffles the deck, offering a genuine alternative to conventional, sleek models. CUPRA offers the most contemporary vision of sportiness: there’s no need to bank on luxury to feel unique.
At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, CUPRA has unveiled the CUPRA Ateca Special Edition, a unique car that brings more performance, sophistication and charm to the sporty SUV.
The CUPRA Ateca marked the beginning of a new era in sports cars, with a contemporary interpretation of performance.
It’s a model that remains unique in its segment and perfectly adapted to customer needs. Now, its striking exterior design, elegant interior and high performance have been enhanced with the arrival of the CUPRA Ateca Special Edition.
With this limited edition, the brand aims to satisfy SUV enthusiasts. Antonino Labate, CUPRA’s Director of Strategy, Business Development and Operations, explains the company’s intentions with this new launch: “Uniqueness is one of the core values of CUPRA’s vision. As we did last year with the CUPRA R, we want to offer a limited edition of our most prized models and surprise car enthusiasts who are passionate about exclusively designed products. With the CUPRA Ateca Special Edition, we’ve taken personalization to the next level with a hand-built vehicle”.
The heart and soul of the CUPRA Ateca Special Edition remains the four-cylinder, direct-injection, turbocharged TSI engine, which boasts a remarkable 300 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Man and machine are totally at one, thanks to the precision of its seven-speed DSG gearbox, 4Drive all-wheel drive and progressive steering.
Now the CUPRA Ateca Special Edition is even more confident, relaxed and self-assured, thanks to a host of powerful new features that set the vehicle even further apart from the competition.
Impressive exterior design
The exhilarating performance of the CUPRA Ateca is matched by an impressive exterior design, which has been enhanced and improved with the arrival of the special edition.
All-new, exclusive 20-inch copper alloy wheels not only add a new aesthetic touch to the exterior, they also increase track width and house Brembo brakes as standard. Copper carbon fiber elements give a sophisticated new look to the exterior mirrors and rear spoiler – increasing aerodynamic downforce. Improvements include the integration of the Akrapovic exhaust system, which not only reduces the vehicle’s weight by around 7 kg, but also adds a more exclusive sound experience to the sporty SUV.
With its CUPRA branding in copper on the exterior trim and an exclusive grapheme gray color, the CUPRA Ateca Special Edition boasts even more dynamic capability and refinement.
An interior of refined details
Inside, the CUPRA Ateca Special Edition is even more sophisticated, and seductive both visually and to the touch.
The front bucket sports seats, rear seats and door panels are upholstered in Alcantara in an exclusive Petrol Blue color, giving the interior of the CUPRA Ateca a new look. The new color is enhanced by black contours on the air vents and center console, while interior trim in copper carbon fiber sets off the instrument panel and climate controls. Every detail counts in the interior of the CUPRA Ateca Special Edition, which is why it is enhanced by premium CUPRA floor mats.
The CUPRA Ateca Special Edition will be available to order by the end of 2019
Strong partnerships
To convey its commitment to craftsmanship, passion, high quality and personalization, CUPRA has partnered with small studios/workshops that will develop exclusive, limited-edition capsule products, such as L.G.R., TRAKATAN and FABIKE, among others.
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