WITH THE CURRENT OBSESSION for SUVs among Australian buyers, it makes sense for Cupra to launch into the market with its Ateca SUV. And knowing how buyers think, it makes equal sense to introduce a single, highly-specified model, the VZx.
The Ateca will form part of Cupra’s Australian model launch in mid-2022, which also includes the Leon hatchback, and the Formentor crossover SUV.
Combining striking design and DNA with blistering performance, the Cupra Ateca, named after the historic town in Spain, pushes the sport paradigm of ‘sports utility vehicle’ even further with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to a seven-speed DSG and 4Drive all-wheel drive. This potent combination produces 221kW and 400Nm, enabling the CUPRA Ateca to sprint to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.
As the only Cupra Ateca model grade offered in Australia, the Cupra Ateca VZx will come fully loaded. Standard features of the go-fast SUV include extensive visual and performance-oriented cues, including 19-inch Exclusive Sport alloy wheels in black and copper, full LED headlights with daytime running lamps, rear LED lamps with dynamic ‘swiping’ indicators, fog lamps with cornering lamps, Light Assist (automatic high beam), Driving Profile Selection, Dynamic Chassis Control and Progressive Steering.
Jeff Shafer, Cupra Australia’s Head of Product and Planning, lauded the Ateca for its dual-natured design and performance.
“With Ateca we have a practical, versatile SUV, while still benefiting from Cupra’s DNA, which transforms it” Mr Shafer said.
“By offering one fully-loaded variant, we can give customers the very best the brand has to offer in terms of tech, driving experience and style, while maintaining simple to understand model offering for our local launch,” he continued.
Standard Features
Exterior and Performance
Commanding an aggressive presence on the road, the Ateca is instantly recognisable with a range of visual cues, including a rear roof spoiler, black roof rails, rear tinted windows, gloss black highlights, mirror cases in dark aluminium and striking quad exhausts. Unseen by the naked eye but no-less significant, the Ateca also includes hands-free power tailgate, auto-folding and heated mirrors with memory, Welcome Lights in the exterior mirrors and a light and rain sensor.
Safety and Assistance
Power is one thing, but the Cupra Ateca also benefits from an array of safety and assistance features, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Side Assist with Exit Assist, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, Driver Fatigue Detection, proactive Passenger Protection (known as ‘Pre-Crash’), Park Assist, front and rear parking sensors and a top view camera with 360-degree vision.
Interior and Convenience
On the inside, the beast becomes a beauty with luxury appointments and tech features commonly found in more expensive luxury cars. Starting with the signature Cupra Petrol Blue leather sports bucket seats, which are heated in the front, the bolstered buckets also offer power adjustment with memory for the driver’s seat. In addition, the interior also offers keyless entry and start, three-zone climate control air conditioning, ambient interior lighting, leather gear knob with copper stitching, illuminated scuff places, aluminium pedals and carpet floor mats.
On the technology-front, the Ateca excels with the latest in Volkswagen Group technology, and features a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, a 9.2-inch navigation system, the signature Cupra leather steering wheel with satellite buttons and heating, paddle shifters for spirited driving, wireless phone charging with wired and wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto connectivity, and Beats sound system including nine speakers, a subwoofer with a +340 watt amplifier. The centre console also offers connectivity by two USB-C ports, in addition to two in the rear.
Exterior Colours
In keeping with the brand’s philosophy of design and style, the Ateca is available in a range of no-cost metallic paint options, with one premium paint finish at an additional cost. Nevada White, Graphite Grey and Magic Black are all offered as standard, with the optional Dark Camouflage hue available for an additional charge.
Regardless of how a customer personalises the Ateca, all four colours will complement the signature Petrol Blue leather-appointed interior trim.
Pricing will be available closer to launch.
Options
As a fully-optioned model, the Ateca VZx has a short list of options for customers who wish to further personalise their vehicle. These options are designed to heighten the driver experience of the already impressive standard features, and include the cult-favourite Akrapovic exhaust system, Brembo performance brakes, and a panoramic electric sunroof.
The Ateca ZVx will form part of Cupra Australia’s local market introduction in mid-2022, and will come standard with a five-year warranty. Further details around pricing will be announced closer to local launch.
CUPRA Ateca VZx Standard Equipment
- 19-inch Exclusive Sport Alloy Wheel in Black and Copper
- 18-inch Temporary Spare Wheel
- Tyre Pressure Warning System
- 7 airbags
- Full LED Headlights and Daytime Running Lamps
- Rear LED Lamps with Dynamic Indicators
- Fog lamps with Cornering Lamps
- Light Assist (Auto High Beam)
- Driving Profile Selection
- Dynamic Chassis Control
- Progressive Steering
- Hands Free Power Tailgate
- Rear Roof Spoiler
- Black Roof Rails
- Quad Exhaust
- Rear tinted Windows
- Gloss Black Highlights
- Auto Folding & Heated Mirrors with memory
- Welcome Light in Exterior Mirrors
- Mirror cases in Dark Aluminium
- Light & Rain Sensor Adaptive Cruise Control
- Front Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
- Side Assist with Exit Assist
- Lane Assist
- Travel Assist
- Driver Fatigue Detection
- Proactive Passenger Protection (Pre-Crash)
- Park Assist
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors
- Top View Camera (360 degree)
- Petrol Blue Leather Sports Bucket Seats
- Heated Front Seats
- Driver’s Seat Power Adjustment with Memory
- Keyless Entry and Start
- Three Zone Climate Control Air-Conditioning
- Ambient Interior Lighting
- Leather Gear knob with Copper Stitching
- Illuminated Scuff Plates
- Aluminium Pedals
- Floor Mats
- 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit
- 9.2-inch Navigation System
- Cupra Leather Steering Wheel with Satellite Buttons and Heating
- Paddle Shift
- Wireless Phone Charging
- Wired and Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto
- Beats Sound System, 9 Speakers + Subwoofer + 340w Amplifier
- 2 Front and 2 Rear USB-C ports
Options:
- Akrapovic Exhaust
- Brembo Brakes
- Panoramic Electric Sunroof