SEAT bosses are assessing the feasibility of a Cupra version of the new Ateca SUV, Auto Express has learned. A high performance iteration of the brand’s new crossover could be on the cards if SEAT president Luca de Meo can make the business case stack up. Speaking from the launch of the new Ateca, de Meo told us: “We are having the discussion right now.”
“We are very creative,” he said. “We can do a lot of things. But we have to make one solid step after the other.”
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The most powerful Ateca available from launch will be a 2.0-litre diesel with 187bhp. While that is expected to pack quite a punch, it’s some way off the current Leon Cupra, which boasts a range of turbocharged petrol engines with up to 287bhp.
We asked de Meo whether he was happy with the initial engine range, and while he insisted a selection of more eco-friendly powertrains were possible, he felt most bases were covered from the outset.
De Meo assured us there were no plans to scale back the introduction of new Cupra models, though. “FR and Cupra will continue,” he said. “I will help the team nurture this”.
Last year, we reported news that a series of hot diesel engines from elsewhere in the VW Group were scheduled for SEAT’s high performance cars. While last year’s emissions scandal may have put this in doubt somewhat, there is still a possibility of 200bhp+ diesels featuring in future Ateca models.
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The new Volkswagen Tiguan, for example, will be made available with the 237bhp bi-turbo diesel from the Passat. A hot SEAT Ateca Cupra could effectively utilise the same powerplant for a sub seven-second 0-62mph time and a 140mph top speed – though de Meo refuse to comment on this unit’s feasibility within the Spanish brand’s future line-up.
It’s not only de Meo excited by the prospect of a racy SUV, though. Design chief Alejandro Mesonero told us: “We’re fighting to stretch the line.”
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