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MOTORING GUIDE
Motor Torque David Berthon
WITH
CUPRA ATECA VZX SUV A PROMISE OF POWER AND PRACTICALITY IN EQUAL MEASURE
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Driving the Cupra Ateca , the Spanishbuilt brand , part of the Volkswagen Group that was launched here in three models late last year .
The Ateca is a mid-sized all-wheeldrive SUV , more in the mould of a high riding five-door hatchback with real sports flavour . A 2.0-litre turbo fourcylinder sevenspeed dual clutch automatic driving all four wheels with a very spirited performance .
One model the Ateca VZx at $ 66,750 driveaway , a top-spec SUV , the maker promising power and practicality in equal measure .
The performance , drivability and handling live up to this promise making the Ateca a very aggressive performer . Having said that it is nearly the same size as the sporty Cupra Formentor I raved about recently and that model would be my choice , quickly becoming the Spanish brands biggest seller .
The Ateca is the oldest of the three Cupra models , and whilst roomy inside some areas are a little dated . Launched in 2018 it ’ s today perhaps showing its age , whilst its touch screen functionality and useability is frustrating and fiddly and behind today ’ s best practice .
But in performance terms , sharing its DNA with the Volkswagen Golf R , it ’ s a
most impressive driver , and a very exciting machine .
For the performance buffs it pumps out 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque accelerating to 100kms in just 4.9 secs . On the downside it does need 98RON petrol and can get a little thirsty and I managed 8L / 100km with mainly city driving .
The test car with optional 370mm Brembo brakes and quad sports exhaust adding a rather hefty $ 10,000 and taking the drive-away price to around $ 75,000 . There are six drive modes , the sportier ones really get the adrenaline pumping with sharpened acceleration and throttle response and a more bullish exhaust note .
This is a very wellequipped premium SUV with some excellent features like park assist , an excellent 360-degree camera and a power tailgate with handy kick sensor .
While it ’ s a high spec model the Cupra Ateca VZx performance attributes are what really sells it – best described as spirited and exhilarating . The ride best described as firm from a suspension that ’ s obviously tuned for sharp and precise handling .
The Cupra brand , with eye-catching copper adornments rather than chrome and with a rather exotic logo , is really making headway in a very competitive premium SUV market .
Warranty , five-years / unlimited km .
30 ISSUE 94 // APRIL 2023 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT