VW’s new Cupra car brand is on the way to Australia

A new manufacturer has confirmed plans to sell a range of performance cars locally, giving Aussie enthusiasts a fresh option.

The Volkswagen Group will launch its Cupra performance car brand in Australia next year.

Established in Europe three years ago as a design and performance-led spin-off from Spanish manufacturer Seat, Cupra sells fast and stylish cars with tech borrowed from Volkswagen and Audi.

Cupra has not revealed which models will make it to Australia for its launch next year.

Cupra’s Formentor performance SUV is available with high-performance engines.

The line-up could include the Cupra Formentor, a crossover with a turbocharged engine pinched from models such as Audi’s popular S3 and RS Q3 performance cars.

Pitched as Cupra’s first stand-alone model, the Formentor is a compact performance SUV available with Audi’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine, detuned slightly to 287kW.

Cupra’s overseas arm also sells premium versions of regular Seat products such as the Leon hatchback — Spain’s cousin to the VW Golf.

Seat briefly sold cars such as the Ibiza hatch locally in the 1990s.

Taking a similar approach to the Golf GTI or Skoda Octavia RS, the Cupra Leon packs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 220kW and 400Nm, using a dual-clutch automatic transmission to reach 100km/h in 5.7 seconds.

Cupra’s cars are striking inside and out.

Loaded with tech such as driver aids and a digital cockpit, the most powerful Cupra Leon isn’t cheap at £37,390 ($67,850) on the road in the UK, pitching it well above VW’s equivalent hot hatch.

The Cupra Leon hatch offers performance exceeding that of the Golf GTI.

A similar engine paired with all-wheel-drive traction in the Cupra Ateca crossover delivers performance to rival VW’s Golf R, racing to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

As with all manufacturers, Cupra is also introducing electric models as the brand gears up for a zero-emissions future.

The electric Cupra Born hatchback promises up to 500 kilometres of driving range combined with zippy city performance and eye-catching looks.

Cupra’s Born EV shares its bones with VW’s new electric cars.

Volkswagen Group Australia boss Michael Bartsch says Cupra should attract local interest.

“With its unique models combining stimulating style and contemporary performance, Cupra could scarcely be a range better bespoke to a certain Australian customer set,” he said.

Further details surrounding Cupra’s Australian launch will be revealed later this year.