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Motoring
Cupra reveal pricing for Leon V, Formentor, Ateca SUV in Australia
The latest marque to enter the Australian new car competition kicks off at under $44,000 with the promise of European style and serious performance.
The Volkswagen Group’s newest Australian affiliate, Cupra, will launch in Australia from June with a three-model range starting at $43,990 plus on-roads for the Leon hatchback.
The brand is part of the VW Group umbrella and is based in the Czech Republic. It is the performance-oriented offshoot of the popular Seat stable.
A large part of the appeal of the Cupra brand is the combination of on-road competence and in-car connectivity.
The fact the cars will be sold with a three-year free servicing package won’t hurt to get buyers to cast an eye over the range. The warranty period will be five years and unlimited kilometres.
For some, the biggest issue may be the fact the Cupra’s least expensive model, the Leon V hatch, won’t be available until the third quarter of this year. Yes, you have to wait for the (relatively) cheap seats.
The Cupra Leon is the Spanish interpretation of the VW Golf
Leon hatch line-up
The Leon V uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine good for 140kW/320Nm, powering the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Default kit includes a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, satellite navigation, wireless smartphone connectivity, wireless smartphone charging, three-zone air-conditioning, auto-dimming rear mirror, a pair of USB-C ports front and rear and adaptive cruise control.
Stepping up to the Cupra Leon VZ, which is offered at $52,690 plus on-road costs or a more amenable $56,990 driveaway, adds a more spirited 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine good for 180kW/370Nm and 19-inch wheels (up from 18-inch in the base version).
The Leon VZe enters plug-in hybrid territory from $65,490 driveway in Victoria. This variant combines a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine with 110kW/250Nm, paired with an electric motor generating 85kW/300Nm. Cupra claims a combined output of 180kW/400Nm. The 13kW/h battery should be good for an official electric range of up to 60km (which means expect around 45km).
The hybrid ditches the spare tyre for a tyre-repair kit and operates using a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Heading the hatchback line-up is the VXz, priced at $64,990 driveaway. The VZx boasts a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine good for 221kW/400Nm, accompanied by heated front seats and a nine-speaker Beats sound system.
Options include a set of Brembo brakes for $3,600 and an $1,800 sunroof.
The Cupra Formentor is tipped to be the brand's best-seller
Formentor features
The Formentor crossover is the most popular model overseas and for good reason.
The range starts at $54,990 driveaway for the V variant, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 140kW/320Nm, sending power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Standard equipment essentially mirrors the equivalent Cupra.
Buy a Formentor VZ for $58,490 driveaway and the power outputs climb to 180kW/370Nm, this time sent solely to the front wheels.
Victorian buyers will pay $66,490 drivewawy for the VZe hybrid, which emulates the Cupra for outputs and has a tyre repair kit rather than the temporary spare found in the internal combustion-engined variants.
The top-spec VZx is the same price as its hybrid sibling, but delivers 228kW/400nm, sent to all four wheels using a seven-speed auto. This variant rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, packs powered and heated front seats, a quad exhaust, powered tailgate and the premium nine-speaker sound system. Optioning Brembo brakes adds $4,150 to the cost.
An Akrapovic exhaust is an option on the Cupra Ateca
Ateca SUV
The Cupra Ateca small SUV will only be sold in top-spec VZx guise with a driveway price of $65,990.
Its specifications mirror the Formentor VZx, though the infotainment display is down to 9.2-inches.
That is due to the fact the Ateca was the first Cupra off the block, while the coupe-styled Formentor is a more recent introduction to the range.
The 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is paired with all-wheel-drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and Ateca says the Cupra will reach 100km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds.
Brembo brakes are a $4,050 option, along with an Akrapovic exhaust for $5,950.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
