Photo: SEAT
You guys got the essence of this story from the title already, right? Somebody said SEAT is making a Cupra version of its first SUV. We can't tell you if it's true or not, so instead we are going to do the unthinkable, which is to look at the story from a personal, non-journalistic point of view.
I've begun saving money for my next car three months ago. After looking long and hard at my options, I've swerved away from the Megane GT because it's heavier than Renault would lead you to believe and the rear suspension may be expensive to fix. I might still change my mind, but it all comes down to the price. In about two to three years' time, I'll have enough money for a Leon FR 2.0 TDI or a Cupra, which cost about the same, believe it or not.
But the Ateca would be right up my alley and so would a Cupra version. You see, the First Spanish is about 4.3 meters long, so it's not as big as all the other compact SUVs. Like with the Leon, the 2.0 TDI is the most powerful engine you can buy and will remain so unless they introduce a Cupra version.
British magazine Auto Express says the Ateca Cupra has already begun being developed, and a concept may be shown at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Under its hood would be a 2.0 TSI engine with around 300 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque. It will propel the SUV to 100 km/h in around six seconds.
After learning the compact segment almost by heart, I now know that this project makes more sense than you'd think. The Ateca Cupra would only weigh about 1.5 tons, so it won't be a big boat pretending to play the sportscar game. Sure, the taller suspension is a problem, but the Cupra division will chop about 25mm and DCC (dynamic chassis control) will add stiffness.
The only thing it won't be good at is cheapness. A fully loaded Ateca XCELLENCE with the best engine and gearbox is €35,580 in Germany. I don't think the Ateca can cost less, but a new Mazda CX-5 or Ford Kuga is about the same.
But the Ateca would be right up my alley and so would a Cupra version. You see, the First Spanish is about 4.3 meters long, so it's not as big as all the other compact SUVs. Like with the Leon, the 2.0 TDI is the most powerful engine you can buy and will remain so unless they introduce a Cupra version.
British magazine Auto Express says the Ateca Cupra has already begun being developed, and a concept may be shown at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Under its hood would be a 2.0 TSI engine with around 300 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque. It will propel the SUV to 100 km/h in around six seconds.
After learning the compact segment almost by heart, I now know that this project makes more sense than you'd think. The Ateca Cupra would only weigh about 1.5 tons, so it won't be a big boat pretending to play the sportscar game. Sure, the taller suspension is a problem, but the Cupra division will chop about 25mm and DCC (dynamic chassis control) will add stiffness.
The only thing it won't be good at is cheapness. A fully loaded Ateca XCELLENCE with the best engine and gearbox is €35,580 in Germany. I don't think the Ateca can cost less, but a new Mazda CX-5 or Ford Kuga is about the same.
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