The compact wagon is pretty much exactly what we could have expected a hot Seat Ateca to be like – complete with 296bhp TSI motor, DSG ‘box and all-wheel drive – had Cupra remained a badge rather than being elevated into a brand. But as of now, all the spiciest Seats are officially just Cupras – and this is the first of them.
So what makes a Cupra rather just a Seat? There’s no visible Seat badging, and instead, a new corporate ID with copper-coloured logo inspired (it says here) by the passion and courage of ancient tribal civilisations.
The look that distinguishes this first Cupra is based around a honeycomb grille, the Cupra name spelled out in matt aluminium across the front, and a gloss black finish for the roof rails, wing mirrors, window frames and diffusers. There are no bodywork changes over the standard Ateca. In case you forget what brand of car it is you are driving, the word ‘Cupra' is projected on to the ground as a ‘welcome’ light.
Inside there’s Alcantara trim and aluminium-faced pedals, the options of a carbon-fibre dash and (from 2019) special bucket seats, plus all the safety and convenience kit the Ateca already offers.