Cupra is about to make its debut as a standalone brand with its cranked-up interpretation of the SEAT Ateca.
For decades, Cupra existed purely as SEAT’s performance division, providing an outlet for the most extreme models from the Spanish VW-owned brand.
The Cupra Ateca takes the regular SEAT Ateca SUV – which was pretty brilliant already – and turns up the power and aggressive styling.
Priced from £35,900 on the road, the angry off-roader comes with some suitably slick styling flourishes, such as exclusive 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, black brake callipers, glossy black exterior details, a sporty rear bumper and four exhaust pipes.
Inside, you’ll find an eight-inch touchscreen navigation system at the centre of the dashboard, flanked by black alcantara seats with copper stitching, alcantara door panels, leather sports steering wheel and a handy wireless phone charger.
The driver’s pedals are finished in aluminium, while the climate control air vent frames and the central console get a gloss black finish.
Under the bonnet is a 295bhp two-litre petrol engine, linked to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
Given a chance, it can race up to 60mph from rest in 5.2 seconds and it’ll keep picking up speed until it hits 153mph.
It comes in one of six colours – energy blue, velvet red, brilliant silver, rodium grey, magic black and Nevada white – while a small number of extras can be added, such as the comfort and sound pack, which includes a BeatsAudio sound system and advanced driving assistance, while the design pack increases the alloy wheels to 20 inches and throws in Brembo brakes, a panoramic roof and a tow bar.
Although Cupra may be its own brand, you’ll still have to go to a SEAT dealership to take one for a test drive.