Cupra Ateca VZx performance SUV due this year

An exciting new car brand out of Europe is preparing an all out assault on Australia, with a mighty new SUV leading the charge.

The newest brand out of Europe is set to land in Australia with a bang later this year.

Cupra, which is owned by the giant Volkswagen Group, has announced its Ateca performance SUV will arrive in the middle of this year.

It will be joined by the Leon hatchback and Formentor mid-size SUV.

Cupra is only offering one, fully-loaded version of the Ateca in Australia.

The Ateca will only be available in a single, fully-loaded VZx grade and it has its sights set on small performance SUVs such as the Hyundai Kona N and the Volkswagen T-Roc R. The VW is due to arrive about the same time and will be mechanically similar.

The Ateca VZx makes use of a familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine pumping out 221kW and 400Nm, matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission and all-wheel drive.

Cupra claims it can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

Performance is boosted by multiple driving modes that alter the suspension stiffness, exhaust note and throttle response.

There are sporty touches throughout the vehicle, including well bolstered bucket seats.

Cupra has packed the Ateca with plenty of goodies including 19-inch black and copper alloy wheels, black exterior highlights, a quad exhaust, auto tailgate and LED head and tail lights.

Sporty touches continue inside with aluminium pedals, heated front sports bucket seats and a leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters.

A 9.2-inch central screen has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a wireless device charging pad that makes lugging cables around a thing of the past.

A 10.25-inch digital cockpit is standard, as is a nine speaker Beats premium stereo with Subwoofer.

The Ateca only has three equipment options; an Akrapovic exhaust, Brembo performance brakes and a panoramic sunroof.

The Ateca’s 2.0-litre engine makes 221kW and 400Nm.

Colour choices are limited with metallic white, grey and black as standard. Dark Camoflage is the only optional extra colour.

The Ateca comes with a fully array of active safety equipment including auto emergency braking, lane keep assist and a bird’s eye view camera among others.

Cupra Australia’s head of product planning, Jeff Shafer, lauds the versatility of the Ateca.

“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,” says Shafer.

Cupra hasn’t announced prices but it is likely to be north of $60,000. The slightly spicier VW Golf R hatchback is priced at $66,990 (before on-road costs).