SEAT launches new Cupra performance brand with Cupra Ateca SUV

Not content with just being a badge, Cupra is now a brand, and a 296bhp Ateca SUV is its first model

SEAT will launch its new standalone Cupra performance brand with a 296bhp Ateca SUV, with all future SEAT models also earmarked to be offered with a more focussed Cupra derivative that will include a range of petrol, plug-in hybrid and even battery-electric powertrains. Cupra also hasn’t ruled out the idea of producing its own standalone model. In total, Cupra will launch seven new models in the next three years.

Cupra’s ambitions include a range of models based on both existing and future models within the SEAT family, from the Cupra Ateca to new Ibiza, Arona and the next Leon, although there are currently no plans for a VW Up GTI-rivalling Cupra Mii. Built in SEAT's Martorell factory outside Barcelona, Cupra models will be developed by the firm’s SEAT Sport division, and while performance will be a key contributor to the Cupra ethos the company says styling and personalisation is also key.

At the brand’s international launch, SEAT’s executives were frustratingly vague as to the specifics of the engineering DNA that will make a Cupra stand out from the existing SEAT Cupra models, which confusingly will still be sold alongside the new Cupra-branded models. Vice president for R&D, Dr Matthias Rabe, would only go as far as to say that we can expect the dynamic improvements that were made to the limited edition SEAT Leon Cupra R – quicker, more direct steering, a sacrifice to ride comfort for improved agility, and a powertrain focussed on performance – to be the benchmark for all future new Cupra models. In terms of powertrains, petrol engines will lead the line-up, with a plug-in hybrid also expected that will most likely feature electric motors on the rear axle tuned for performance over emission savings.

An indication of the direction Cupra will head in can be seen in its first model launched under the new brand: the Cupra Ateca. Its 2-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine is taken from the current SEAT Leon Cupra and mapped to suit the required performance characteristics. Mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox and four-wheel-drive running gear, the Cupra Ateca is also fitted with adaptive dampers and a selection of driving modes, including a more extreme Cupra mode. Nineteen-inch wheels and tyres are standard fit, and a number of carbonfibre aero devices will also be fitted. SEAT badges will be replaced with new bronze-finished Cupra tags. It will reach 62mph in 5.4 seconds and top 152mph, and is expected to cost between £35,000 and £40,000.

So why take an existing trim line and create a standalone brand? The simple answer is that SEAT isn’t performing strongly enough and needs to contribute more to the VW Group’s bottom line, and Luca de Meo, SEAT's president, sees it as the only way of achieving this. 'The SEAT brand still has image problems,' he told evo. 'We have proven we can design, develop and build cars to a standard equal to premium brands, but for many the SEAT badge is a barrier. Cupra will allow us to have a halo brand that will attract new customers to Cupra and also SEAT.'

How many new customers? In the last 20 years SEAT sold 60,000 Cupra-badged SEAT models: in 2017 it sold 10,000 alone. Cupra on its own will now have to double that latter figure within two to three years, of which 80 per cent are expected to be conquest sales and therefore totally new to the Spanish brand. The plan also states that 10 per cent of all future SEAT sales should be Cupra models. To reach those customers, over 20 per cent of SEAT's worldwide dealer network (265 dealers) will become Cupra specialist dealers, with SEAT funding 50 per cent of the investment costs dealers will face taking on the new brand. SEAT's head of sales and marketing also hasn’t ruled out individual Cupra dealers.

However, don’t expect a glut of new Cupra models in the immediate future, with Cupra Ibiza and Arona currently in the pipeline, and the first Cupra Leon not expected to appear until after the new Seat Leon is launched in 2019. Although, rather confusingly, a 296bhp, four-wheel drive SEAT Leon Cupra R ST will make its debut on the SEAT stand at next month’s Geneva motor show alongside a Cupra Ibiza concept.

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source : evo.co.uk

296bhp Cupra Ateca revealed as first car from Seat performance brand

Seat’s new stand-alone performance brand, Cupra, has revealed its 296bhp all-wheel-drive version of the Ateca – the first model to be launched since Seat confirmed its hot sub-brand’s new role last month.

The car is part of a broader offensive to offer Cupra versions of some Seat models as well as, eventually, Cupra-only cars. Seat is trying to copy the example of in-house performance divisions like Renault Sport. It will launch seven models by 2020 as part of aggressive growth plans.

Cupra could get electrified powertrain tech before Seat

While the initial models will be reworked versions of current Seat machines, with Cupra Ibiza and Arona models likely in 2019, the firm hinted that it could introduce standalone Cupra models in the future, as part of plans to use the brand as a technological figurehead.

The brand's sales and marketing boss Wayne Griffiths said that splitting from Seat was important for brand value. "In terms of positioning it adds more to go with a separate brand," he said. "If we kept it in the Seat world there would always be compromises. We want to take it out of the Seat world to the race track. Most firms that have sporting brands take them out of heritage, like Abarth. But we want to look to the future

Opinion: Why Cupra split from Seat

Cupra models will be based on Seats – for the foreseeable future, at least – but with significantly higher performance, more customisation options and a separate sales channel. Only about one-fifth of Seat’s dealer network will be awarded Cupra sub-franchises and models are set to be sold by specialists from Cupra-only areas.

The Cupra plan according to R&D boss Matthias Rabe

Autocar first reported on the plans last year, when a draft of the new logo was shown in trademark filings. Seat boss Luca de Meo later admitted that Cupra would “add another dimension” to Seat’s appeal.

“Cupra emerged not just as a business discussion," he said. "This is a declaration of love for motoring, in a society becoming a bit unfriendly to the sector.”

The Cupra Ateca, on sale in the autumn, is powered by a 296bhp version of the Volkswagen Group’s EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged engine although the torque peak of 295lb ft is higher than that produced by the similar engine in the Leon Cupra 300. Drive passes through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox – there are no plans for a manual version – with torque diverted rearwards when required by a part-time Haldex all-wheel drive system. Cupra claims a 5.4sec 0-62mph time and a 150mph top speed.

Cupra Ibiza concept revealed

Although its components are almost all familiar from other members of the VW Group’s vast MQB-platform family, the Cupra Ateca is said to have been tuned to offer a substantially different driving experience from its Seat sibling.

The suspension height has changed only fractionally, with the Cupra sitting 20mm lower than the regular car, but spring rates have been substantially revised and suspension settings are far firmer. Adaptive dampers will be standard, allowing for a far more aggressive set-up when using the ‘Cupra’ setting, which has been added to the Ateca’s switchable driving modes.

Cupra sub-brand could get latest powertrain tech before Seat

The Cupra has also ditched the electronic sound symposer that normally augments engine noise in rortier MQB models. Standard brake discs will be 17in, but 18in Brembo units will be offered as an option.

Although badges have been changed from the Seat ‘S’ to Cupra’s new triangular logo, the exterior design builds on that of the regular Ateca rather than transforming it. Bumpers are bulkier and there is a small wing at the top of the tailgate.

The Cupra gets 19in diamond-cut alloy wheels as standard plus the option of several unique colours. There will also be external and internal carbonfibre trim packages. The interior uses lots of Alcantara and incorporates plenty of copper details – Cupra’s new corporate colour, a move away from the brasher orange with which the name was formerly associated. Other Cupra models will follow hard on the heels of this Ateca, with design concepts for Cupra versions of the Ibiza and Arona shown alongside it at the official launch. The company line is that these are to gauge reaction rather than indicate production intent and Seat’s R&D boss, Matthias Rabe, has indicated that the Leon will be the next production version.

Rabe also confirmed that Cupra’s birth as a brand will make it easier to produce limited-run models and higher performance variants in the manner of the Leon Cupra R. No new diesel Cupras are expected, but there will be Cupras that use forthcoming mild-hybrid powertrains.

Rabe said it’s possible there will ultimately be a Cupra-only halo model, but there are no immediate plans for one. “In the first years, you will have derivatives,” he said. “If you are talking about a very special car only for Cupra, I could imagine a sports car or a spider or something like that but, to be honest, we don’t have that on the plan. It could be an aspiration for the longer term.” Seat sold fewer than 10,000 Cupra models last year and the aim is for the stand-alone Cupra brand to double those volumes within five years – a modest ambition given what will soon be a multi-model line-up.

At the Cupra launch event, a new Seat Leon Cupra R ST estate was shown (below). The all-wheel-drive machine is powered by a 2.0-litre 296bhp RSI engine, and sits alongside the existing Seat Leon Cupra R. For consistency, both models will retain Seat branding, although from now on they will feature a copper Seat logo and other special trim.

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source : autocar.co.uk

2018 SEAT Leon TGI Acceleration and Fuel Consumption in the Real World

2018 SEAT Leon TGI Acceleration and Fuel Consumption in the Real World

Natural gas is prevalent in Spain, so SEAT makes TGI version of all its cars, including the Mii. This one is the 2018 Leon TGI, which has been launched with an updated set of headlights, but is still powered by the 1.4 TSI engine.

Compressed natural gas places particular demands on the engine, especially in the lubrication department. So if you are going to have a CNG car, you'd best consider one that's factory-made, not aftermarket.

While the 1.4 TSI makes typically 125 or 150 HP, it's been de-tuned to 110 HP and 200 Nm of torque for this application. On paper, it's said to make the 0 the 100 km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds and has a top speed of 194 km/h. That sounds about right.

The car can burn natural gas, but also features its standard 50-liter fuel tank. Or regular pump fuel, the car will average 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers. Fuel consumption is 3.5 kilograms of CNG per 100 kilometers. Considering one kilogram costs about €0.6 right now, the TGI will save you money very quickly, since unleaded costs about twice as much per liter.

But that's only on paper. We also found a fuel consumption test. In the sixth gear, the car averages about 35 kilometers per kilogram. This proves that CNG is more eco-friendly, costing up to 50% less to run than a petrol car and 30% less than a diesel on the same trip.

In Germany, the Leon GTI is available as a 5-door from €23,360 or €35,060 with the 7-speed DSG auto. Still, that's over a thousand more than the petrol model. You can also get it as a practical estate.

The car continues to be based on the MQB platform, which means it's got plenty of sister models. Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen all use the 1.4 TGI engine in their compacts. There's also a new 1.0-liter TGI 3-cylinder that powers the Ibiza and Polo.

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