Car news, 22 July ’24: Cupra Ateca SUV gets budget-friendly base grade, Chevrolet reinvests in combustion engines, and more

You could be forgiven for forgetting about the Cupra Ateca small SUV. Having been around globally since 2016, it’s Cupra’s oldest nameplate, and it’s The Spanish brand’s oldest model has just gained a more affordable entry model, but is it still relevant and does it offer enough fun?

Sitting at the top of Cupra’s local Australian line-up, the Ateca VZx not only looks the part, but packs a punch.

The wagon is dead, and yet, long live the wagon? It’s a curious quandary Cupra faces as it tries to build momentum in Australia with an arsenal of

The Cupra Formentor has cemented itself as a firm Chasing Cars office favourite not merely because it distills solid Volkswagen Group DNA through a Spanish challenger brand injects added punch and fun factor into its small sports crossover, if mostly in feisty turbo-four VZx flagship.

The Cupra Raval VZ is an electric hot hatch with a bigger job than its four-metre footprint suggests. Cupra’s smallest model yet, the Raval is an EV The charming Spanish-built five-door isn’t the fastest electric hatch, but it’s one of the first of an emerging breed to capture what made hot hatches great in the first place

There are two ways of thinking about the most special Cupra model ever launched in Australia — the incoming $101,990-driveaway, five-cylinder Formentor We’ve long praised the Cupra Formentor’s sportscar-like dynamics. Now, you can have one with Audi’s five-cylinder engine — but you’ll need to be quick

Often overlooked is the Volkswagen Group’s sheer breadth of compelling metal. Vee-Dub’s new Tiguan SUV, Audi’s electro-heroic R8 E-Tron GT, Skoda’s fresh Spain’s big-booted PHEV small performance wagon brings class, dynamics and outstanding efficiency, but it’s pricey.

Sixty percent of Australians have heard of Cupra, and the Barcelona-based manufacturer aims to hit a 100 percent recognition rate among surveyed Australia Volkswagen sent its Tiguan platform on a cultural exchange to Barcelona; the resulting Cupra Terramar is fluent, fun…and different in the right way.

Cupra’s self-described rebellious staff of designers, engineers and marketers get given a long leash to come up with funky designs and memorable driving Cupra’s first ‘mainstream’ electric car delivers styling panache and driving enjoyment in spades

The Chasing Cars long-term fleet has taken on a Spanish flavour with the addition of the Cupra Born, the electric hatchback that still precedes the ID.3 As a raft of new VW Group EVs start to reach Australia, we grab the keys to the umbrella group’s first entrant – the Cupra Born – to see if it still stacks up as a worthy electric car.

The pointy bronze logo on the front of a Cupra is like a food label designating extra spiciness. Those who prefer a milder automotive flavour better look We’ve driven Cupra’s new flagship EV overseas and liked it a lot, but how does the Tesla Model Y challenger stack up on Australian roads?

It’s unlikely the Born will become Cupra’s cash cow - especially now the more universal Terramar SUV has made its debut - but the little-ish hatchback A new VZ grade hasn’t significantly changed the Cupra Born formula, but the results leave a lasting impression

Cupra’s Tavascan EV was revealed way back in April 2023, ushering in a new halo vehicle for the brand. And it’s finally (almost) time for its arrival in Spanish electric flagship SUV is a must-drive for anyone considering a Tesla Model Y. It's a compelling design that meets a genuinely cracking drive.

It’s likely you’re looking at Cupra Australia’s next best-selling model. For now, the Formentor midsize SUV is the Spanish brand’s favourite vehicle Cupra’s newest model is not its most radical but the Terramar’s positioning in the growing family make it one of the most versatile and broadly appealing.

Australian station wagon buyers might be relatively few in number in 2023, but they’re a discerning bunch. Estate aficionados know a low-riding form The most complete Cupra model yet is a wagon under consideration for Australian sales – and the hybrid model’s sophistication blew us away

While Volkswagen’s Spanish upstart Cupra has understandably concentrated its Australian launch on its crossover models (Ateca, Formentor), and the new The Cupra Leon V adds up to far more than the sum of its reasonably-priced parts. It’s positively brimming with charm and sophistication

Cupra Australia turned one overnight and the Spanish brand says it will mark its first birthday by extending three years of free servicing and one percent It’s been a year since Cupra launched on Aussie soil and the brand will celebrate by gifting MY23 owners with three years free servicing for Leon, Ateca and Formentor

Global head of Cupra Wayne Griffiths has indicated his interest in synthetic fuels – a project being pursued by VW co-brand Porsche

Just three features will be optional on the Cupra Ateca small SUV – the first model from the new brand to nab specs for Australia

Spanish brand Cupra will launch in Australia next year and the 2022 Ateca small performance SUV will form part of the three-strong range.

Evidence is building that Changan Automobile plans to expand its Australian footprint in the near future. Though the name may be new to Australians, the

Cupra will add a full hybrid powertrain to its best-selling Formentor midsize SUV in 2028 as part of a further upgrade to production lines at the New Volkswagen Group “full hybrid” engine pairs a 1.5-litre turbo with an electric motor on the front axle to slash real-world fuel consumption and CO2 emissions

Cupra has announced the return of its five-cylinder powered Formentor VZ5 performance SUV — and this time it’s bound for Australia. Borrowing Audi’s Audi-derived five-cylinder destined for Cupra Formentor in strictly limited numbers

Thanks for joining us this Thursday, March 27th 2025. Notably in car news today: First look at Nissan’s future plans for Australia, Kia preparing

The Volkswagen Group's sporty Spanish arm is gearing up for a big 2025 with electric and hybrid SUVs in popular segments

Cupra has announced pricing and release timing for its flagship electric car, the Tavascan, and it’s priced to sell. The Cupra Tavascan missed its Q4

Cupra has announced a slew of feature additions to its Formentor midsize SUV, Ateca small SUV and Leon hatch trio – but the changes have come at the cost More standard features have been added to Cupra’s combustion-powered lineup for the MY24 model year

Inflation, increased transport costs, and supplier costs are being blamed for the $760 hike on the Ateca VZx

Cupra research and development boss says that reducing weight from the VW Group’s electric cars is a key goal

Order books have opened in Australia for Cupra’s Leon, Formentor and Ateca models with most variants now available for online purchase

A small drop of new Cupra models is now for sale through the Spanish performance brand’s local Australian website

Cupra’s fast and feisty small SUV is set to go on sale in Australia in a matter of weeks, loaded with equipment and priced to match.