In early November, we got to test the real powerhouse, the Cupra Ateca.

The Cupra was spun off as a brand under Seat some time ago, and the Cupra Ateca is the first model under its own name.

The car is based on the Seat Ateca, but with a healthy dose of extra power from a powerful engine.

With the Cupra brand, Seat wants to bring a powerful and sporty car to the market and at the same time bring the brand closer to the premium class.

A test drive around Barcelona showed that the car has real power.

The majority of the test drive took place at a leisurely pace along winding mountain roads and motorways. On these, the car behaved like any good car.

The suspension is firm and the handling is precise. The car is also fairly quiet, with the exhaust only making a brief noise during hard acceleration.

However, the best experience was on a closed, hard-packed road, where you could go as fast as your driving skills would allow.

The car responded quickly to the steering and cornered well.

The most sporty Cupra driving mode was used. It also features Launch Control, which really put the back against the seat.

Dsg gearbox function developed for the Cupra

The 1984 cc, direct-injected and turbocharged engine has a cylinder diameter of 82.5 mm and a stroke length of 92.8 mm.

A compression ratio of 9.3:1 helps produce 300 horsepower between 5 300 and 6 500 rpm. Add to this 400 Nm of torque over a wide rev range of 2 000 to 5 200 rpm, and a top speed of 247 km/h is achieved.

The test was nowhere near the car’s top speed, but on a closed track it reached around 180 km/h.

The Cupra Ateca accelerates from zero to 60 km/h in 5.2 seconds. Acceleration is enhanced by the recently developed new seven-speed DSG gearbox, which, according to the Cupra’s press release, is designed to create a sportier feel.

The Cupra Ateca’s CO2 emissions range from 192 to 201 g/km and fuel consumption is between 8.5 and 8.9 l/100 km, measured according to the WLTP emission standard.

Four-wheel drive system adjusts as needed

With MacPherson strut independent suspension at the front and MultiLink multi-link suspension at the rear, and adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control suspension.

According to a Cupra press release, the Cupra Ateca’s all-wheel drive system analyses conditions in real time, taking into account the speed of the car, the rotational speed of each wheel, the position of the steering wheel and the driving style and mode. This allows the car to deliver the right amount of power to each wheel quickly and progressively at all times.

The four-wheel drive system is optimised to work in all driving modes: Normal, Sport, Individual, Snow, Off-Road and, of course, Cupra.

When Cupra driving mode is selected, adaptive chassis control provides a sportier driving experience and the engine responds more immediately.

The Cupra Ateca’s braking system has also been upgraded from the Seat version. Larger front and rear brake discs (340 and 310 mm) increase safety.

The optional Performance Pack adds 18-inch black Brembo brakes.

Interior with lots of Alcantara

The overall theme of the exterior is the gloss black details: roof rails, side mirrors, window frames, side mouldings, wheels, front grille, front and rear diffusers and rear window spoilers.

The interior door panels are upholstered in Alcantara and the Cupra logo is emblazoned on the aluminium door sills. The black Alcantara upholstered seats have copper-coloured stitching and carbon fibre trim on the sides.

In the driver’s seat, the Cupra logo is embossed on the centre of the steering wheel and on the gear lever knob.

Versatile equipment

Keyless central locking and start, wireless charging, mobile phone signal amplifier, 360-degree top view camera, eight-inch touchscreen with plus navigation system, digital instrument cluster and parking assist are standard.

The digital dashboard with its dense pixel digital instrument cluster offers not only more functions but also all the information the driver needs.

In addition to the classic analogue speedometer and tachometer, more accurate information is provided by colour maps and the navigation system.

The digital instrument cluster’s sports display has been specially developed for the Cupra Ateca and features a prominent and clear tachometer.

The eight-inch touchscreen can be used not only for standard functions but also for navigation, entertainment and, when actively driving, for displaying important performance information such as oil temperature and G-forces.

Seat Full Link and DriveApp also integrate smartphone functionality into the cabin. The system works with both Apple and Android phones.

For whom?

The Cupra Ateca is quite the beast in sheep’s clothing. Clearly there are cheaper SUVs out there, including the Seat Ateca.

With its Cupra brand, Seat wants to attract customers who don’t want a regular car. The Cupra buyer wants something extra, and specifically power and performance.

The Cupra Ateca certainly has that, but it also has all the features and space of the basic Seat Ateca. So it’s fine as a family car, as long as you’re prepared to pay more for the Cupra’s features.

The Cupra Ateca has not yet been priced, and the car will make its debut in Finland at the Auto 2018 event on 9-11 November.