Cupra announces 'Limited Edition' Ateca

New, sportier model available with Akrapovic soundtrack, Abt tuning and astronomical price tag

By Dafydd Wood / Friday, 7 February 2020 / Loading comments

It was hard to find anything serious to dislike about Cupra's first independent model during our six-month spell behind the wheel. Sure, the term 'independent' is used about as loosely as possible in this context, but the Ateca largely delivered the kind of experience you'd expect from a sporty, not-quite-mid-size VW Group SUV.

On the flip side, it was somewhat difficult to find anything to be genuinely excited about either. Yes, it was capable of a decent turn of speed and could certainly cover ground with the best of them, but in the same vein as many of its contemporary stablemates, the Cupra Ateca's sheer competence was also one of its least enticing traits.

On its own, the manufacturer's new 'Limited Edition' model is unlikely to do much to change that. The 100 examples coming to the UK are bestowed with the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, seven-speed DSG transmission and 4Drive four-wheel drive system as standard, gaining only a smattering of Copper Carbon Fibre elements, a set of 20-inch copper alloy wheels and some rather fetching Rhodium Grey paint.

Bolt on the titanium Akrapovic exhaust system - available on just 20 of the cars - and opt for the Abt Sportsline power upgrade, however, and what you end up with is an extra 50hp and 30lb ft of torque. These new 350hp and 325lb ft totals, plus the 7kg saved by the lighter pipes, are enough for a 4.9-second 0-62 time and a 158mph top speed - 0.3-second and 6mph improvements over the standard car. The Limited Edition's 18-inch Brembo brakes ensure that the Ateca's newfound pace can be appropriately reined in.

Buyers looking to find themselves enjoying the Copper Carbon Fibre interior mouldings from the comfort of the Petrol Blue Alcantara heated sport seats will need to fork out £42,120 for the pleasure. Add in alternative Graphene Grey paint and that Akrapovic exhaust and you're staring down the barrel of £45,160, nearly £10k more than the base Ateca. Pricing which suggests that sightings of this model may be even more limited than the car itself.