Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI 221 kW – // Towards a new brand

The recipe is well known, something similar was started by Citroën less than a decade ago and used the iconic DS model label for their more "noble" cars. Volvo is also following the same path. There, from slightly more "spiral" versions, they have now adopted the previous tuning label - Polestar - as recognizable for electric vehicles. We also knew the Cupra as the most powerful seat to date.. But we need to know that a good decade ago, Seat's current boss, Luca de Meo at Fiat, founded a kind of "sub-brand" with the same name from the usual 500 designation. So recipes are nothing new, but it's more or less a less complicated path, how brands that until recently were known to consumers only as useful and affordable should reach customers who are willing to deduct more for what is on offer.

Cupra Ateca is exactly what you need and the result is impressive in its own way.... With all-wheel drive under the hood, the mid-size urban SUV has a powerful engine that powers the Golf R., for example. Obviously, the look should also be improved, which is ensured by some premium sports accessories such as a suitable choice of body colors, some shiny black accessories (such as mask, roof rails) and of course the large sports wheels (300 However Four virtual exhaust vents are half hidden under the specially designed rear bumper.

The interior also has a sporty feel to it, although there's no hiding the fact that it's mostly just noble plastic otherwise given to buyers of the regular Atecs. The only notable changes are the sports steering wheel or the accelerator and brake pedal, as well as the accessory we lean on with our left foot. Of course, the central counter is in a digital version with four different information representations. The infotainment system's central touchscreen combines most of the features, but it's good that there is also the ability to connect to smartphones via CarPlay or Andoid Auto.... Thus, we do not need a standard navigation system.

Of note are the excellent front seats (fitted as standard in Alcantara man-made leather). The Ateca would be even more useful if we could adjust the rear bench a little, it cannot move longitudinally, and even with the backrest folded down, we cannot prepare a fully flat, enlarged rack. But these, of course, are not the most important stellar aspects of such a well-equipped car.

The Cupre-branded Ateca (found on the front grille, in the middle of the boot lid and on the steering wheel, but symbolically linked by a double C) is definitely a car for special tastes. We can judge that for someone who wants enough power, but with the Cupra he can still ride in a completely "civilized" way. The difference in driving behavior is provided by the driving profile selection button. Whichever one we choose, we will satisfactorily enjoy the ride comfort despite the large wheels.because the chassis is flexible, with the chosen profile for sporty driving, with a much more pronounced engine sound, the character of the car will change quite accordingly. It is worth noting that the transmission (dual-clutch automatic) perfectly tracks the driver's wishes, whether it is simply pressing the accelerator pedal or, if you switch to manual mode, shifting gears with levers under the steering wheel.

It is clear that the Ateca is something different than the Golf, so even a powerful engine cannot evoke the same sportiness as the identical engine in the Golf R. About everything sporty driving means. The Ateca may be less convincing to some, because its sporty tailpipe sound is rather bland. But really - in everyday life this is not even necessary ...

evaluation

• This time we have omitted everything related to swearing. This time - for a lot of goodness and driving fun - you also need to bump into your pocket appropriately. But with Cupra, everything is not as expensive as with competitors (including those from the VW Group).

We praise and reproach

Digital meters, infotainment and connectivity

Engine and fuel consumption

Roominess