Though it has been largely forgotten in the face of lairier competition, the
SEAT Leon Cupra
remains a thoroughly decent hot hatch. Add a
Performance Pack
to it and the Cupra becomes an incredibly exciting car, capable of embarrassing far more expensive machinery. And there's
an estate
Now there's a 4x4 version coming too, these pics the first we've seen of an Ateca Cupra. The standard SEAT SUV has been received very well in fact, which bodes well for the faster version. The familiar Cupra cues are already here - the multispoke wheels and the red calipers, most notably - plus four exhausts where there are usually two on the hatch. Expect a smattering of Cupra badges to mark this Ateca out, but in a similarly subtle way as found on the Leon.
Given the Ateca is derived from the Leon, it seems likely that the Cupra version will use the identical 290hp 2.0-litre EA888 turbo. Could it have additional power to offset the extra weight? Having only the six-speed DSG without a manual option doesn't seem entirely ridiculous either.
Despite the popularity of SUVs, the performance side of things isn't that well catered for yet. Certainly from the mainstream manufacturers at least. There isn't a Ford Kuga ST, for example. Or a CR-V Type R, quicker Qashqai, Renault Sport Kadjar, that kind of thing. Could the Ateca Cupra be the car to spur the development on? Let's wait and see!
[Images: S.Baldauf/S.B. Medien]