This performance SUV is about to become much more affordable: New Cupra Ateca variant launches in August as Spanish brand looks to arrest 2024 sales slide – Car News

Cupra has confirmed a new and more affordable Ateca variant will join its line-up imminently, ahead of a range refresh in 2025.

The Ateca is the brand’s smallest SUV, and has only been available in a single top-spec VZx trim level.

This small SUV which shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen T-Roc and Skoda Karoq. It is the entry-point to the brand but is far from affordable thanks to its stomping 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, all-wheel drive system, and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The new version, dubbed the Ateca V, will launch in August this year, but with a significantly less potent version of the same motor, producing 140kW/320Nm.

It will also serve as a new entry-point to the brands range, designed to replace the outgoing larger base model Formentor V as stock runs low of this car ahead of a facelifted model arriving in early 2025.

In Europe, where the 140kW Ateca is already sold, it retails for between the equivalent of A$50,000 – $55,000, which would be a significant discount on the current VZx which costs $68,990 drive-away.

Specs are yet to be revealed, but expect a slightly less wild treatment than the VZx (which can even be factory-optioned with an Akrapovic exhaust system) for the brand’s new most affordable car.

Cupra sales have taken a massive hit this year, down 45.8 per cent, although this is off the back of explosive growth since the niche Spanish brand arrived in Australia.

Speaking to CarsGuide a brand spokesperson said of the sales slide: “We’re in a bit of a transitionary period for a lot of models. We have some offers in market with Leon, and Formentor supply will be thinning out until the update arrives.”

The Ateca produces 221kW/400Nm (UK version shown)

“It’s a consolidation year ahead of 2025 when we’ll also have Born VZ, Tavascan, and Terramar in the market.”

Tales of the Ateca’s discontinuation are apparently greatly exaggerated in light of the addition of this new variant with the spokesperson adding the end of production for Ateca, said to be to allow room for the Terramar and Tavascan, was “Not in our planning.”

“Terramar will be much larger than Ateca, and Tavascan is all-electric. We still see the Ateca playing a role. It’s a small role but thus far we’ve only had the VZx.”

The Ateca V will launch this year (UK version shown)

Keep an eye out for Cupra’s new-look range in 2025, which will include the new Terramar and Tavascan as well as new variants of existing favourites and major updates to the Formentor, especially its intriguing plug-in hybrid version, which will get a much larger electric driving range as well as DC charging capability.