CUPRA RAVAL LAUNCHES IN IRELAND

The new Cupra Raval has been launched in Ireland at a starting price of €23,495, writes Brian Byrne. With front-wheel drive, customers can choose between a 37kWh LFP battery for urban use with up to 323km rated range or a 52kWh NMC battery with a range of up to 448km. Charging capabilities range from 50 to 105 kW, allowing for a charge time of approximately 23–28 minutes.

The grades lineup includes Urban V1 and V2, Endurance V1 and V2, and the performance-oriented VZ, with the Endurance producing 211hp and the VZ 226hp.

Features include heated seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, a rear camera, mobile digital keys, and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen with Android OS. The Endurance V2 is expected to be the best-seller, with the VZ also attracting interest. The Irish market is anticipated to prefer the larger battery option.

The Raval competes against models like the Volkswagen ID Polo and Renault 5. As a brand, Cupra is gaining traction among younger buyers. 

CUPRA RAVAL LAUNCH NIGHTS PLANNED

Cupra Ireland is celebrating the launch of the all-new Raval with exclusive CUPRA Night events from 24 September to 9 October at participating retailers nationwide, writes Brian Byrne. Customers can experience the brand’s latest all-electric model, with bold design and advanced technology, and prices starting from €23,495. 

The Raval is available in five variants, offering battery options from 37kWh to 52kWh and power outputs from 116HP to 226HP, with a range of up to 443km. Attendees can get 1.9% PCP finance, a complimentary service plan, and other event-only offers. The events also showcase the wider Cupra range, including models like the Tavascan and Formentor. 

Marcelino Villalobos, Cupra Ireland’s Brand Director, highlights the Raval as a new chapter for the brand, emphasising its distinctive design and dynamic performance. Customers can register for events on the Cupra website. https://www.cupra.com/en-ie/cupra-nights 

Raval pre-booking prices announced

The new Cupra Raval urban electric car has a pre-booking starting price of €23,495, writes Brian Byrne. The car is due for launch in September.

The Raval will be available in five trim levels in Ireland, including two sizes of battery, the larger rated at 443km WLTP.

There are four power options, from 116hp to 226hp.

A limited-to-100-customers launch offer includes a choice between a complimentary OHME home charger or an €875 public charging voucher from Elli, a free 3-year service plan, and PCP finance locked in at 1.9% APR. 

Sporty style pack for Cupra models

Cupra Ireland will offer its new Custom Cupra by ABT pack for the Leon and Formentor in Ireland from July 2026, writes Brian Byrne. The factory-initiated customisation package, developed with ABT and hand-assembled at the Cupra Racing Factory, will be available for the Leon, Leon Sportstourer and Formentor. 

Customers can add it when ordering a car or have it fitted later through authorised Cupra dealerships.

The pack brings performance-inspired styling from Cupra's VZ models to a wider range of engines, with exterior upgrades such as alloy wheels, a roof spoiler and ABT lettering. 

Cupra Raval here in late August

Cupra Ireland has announced that the all-new Cupra Raval will arrive here from late August 2026, writes Brian Byrne, marking the brand’s first fully electric urban car and its most significant expansion in the Irish market to date.

Priced from €23,495 including applicable EV incentives, the Raval is built on Volkswagen Group’s MEB+ platform. It will be offered in three trims and two battery sizes, with WLTP range figures of up to 318km for entry models and up to 445km for higher-spec versions.

Standard equipment will include a 12.9-inch infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital cockpit, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED lighting and a suite of driver assistance features.

Cupra Ireland said the Raval is aimed at making electric mobility more accessible without losing the brand’s distinctive design and performance appeal. 

Cupra Terramar review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Cupra has gained a lot of recognition in Ireland in recent years with its line-up of performance-focused sporty cars. This has paid off with increased sales figures year-on-year. My latest Cupra test drive was in the Terramar compact SUV launched here at the end of last year, and described by the brand as their best hybrid SUV yet. It shares underpinnings with the VW Tiguan. 

Terramar has a strong and distinctive, even intimidating, exterior design that looks different to most of its mainstream competitors but is a practical and sporty family car, slightly larger in size than its Formentor SUV sibling. To me, it looks simply gorgeous from every angle. The exterior design includes a shark-nose-inspired front, athletic proportions emphasised by the long bonnet, sports bumpers, and strong rear end with 3D LED lights and illuminated Cupra logo. Roof rails are standard. An option is the 19-inch machined alloy wheels in Sport Black Matt finish. 

I really like Cupra’s trademark copper-coloured accents on the exteriors and interiors of their cars, which always lift the look. The copper-coloured logo is instantly recognisable to car fans. High door openings make it easy for tall people to get in and out and mean they don’t have to duck their heads in the process. 

The upmarket cabin is comfy and spacious with some nice quality materials and a good balance of copper-coloured detailing. But I’m not a fan of the grey fish-scale-like patterned plastic on the central spine — it looks cheap — or of the blue and grey colour scheme and black roof lining. Too dismal looking. The freestanding 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen angled towards the driver is user-friendly, offering navigation, entertainment, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice control via Cupra Connect. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster works with the head-up display on the windscreen. You can customise the cluster via the View button on the steering wheel to show your current speed large in a central dial, by default it shows bottom right on the screen. Blue or red lines on the bottom of the central screen are for the dual-zone climate control, and the white lines in between are for volume control. All are easy to work with while on the go. 

Sporty bucket seats made from sustainable materials have integrated headrests and manual seat adjustments, including lumbar support, but when I moved my seat forward for a good fit behind the wheel, the long seat cushion hurt me behind my knees. Taller people may not have this problem. The leather multi-function sports steering wheel comes with two satellite buttons — one to start or stop the engine, the other to select your driving modes of Comfort, Normal, or Sport. The twisty gear selector is located off the steering wheel. There's a wireless charging pad, two C-type USB ports, as well as big door bins, and a good bucket-shaped glovebox. Rear seats can be moved back or forward depending on the amount of legroom needed. Boot space is up to 540 litres when they are moved forward. The boot has two adjustable height settings and a storage area below. 

Trims are V1, V2 and VZ. Entry-level features include 18-inch alloys matt black/silver, black roof rails, rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, 3-zone climate control with air conditioning, front fog lamp with cornering control, and a rear wiper. The Blind Spot Alert, part of the lighting strip on front doors, lights up when a car is approaching from behind. The V2 trim adds Adaptive Cruise Control, wraparound smart interior lighting, dark-tinted glass, front heated seats, and power tailgate. Options were the Dark Void special metallic paint, 19-inch alloys, an Edge Pack (power heated side mirrors, heated steering wheel, interior lighting, dark-tinted windows, electric tailgate and virtual pedal), Pure Performance (of Matrix HD lights and Dynamic Chassis Control), and Intelligent Drive (Intelligent Park Assist, Side and Exit Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, and top-view camera). 

The model is available in petrol, mild hybrid (mHEV) and as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). My car was the mHEV with 1.5e TSI 150hp and matched to a smooth-shifting 7-speed DSG automatic transmission and with a claimed fuel consumption of 8.1 L/100kms. Max torque is 250Nm and you have up to 1,000km available. Other engines are a 2.0 TSI 204hp DSG 4WD and an eHybrid 204hp. Only two engines are offered with the VZ version: an eHybrid with 272hp and a 2.0 TSI 265hp 4Drive. There is no diesel. 

On the road, I found the Terramar a lovely car to drive with good performance and also appreciated the smooth DSG transmission, but I found the engine quite noisy. As for annoying ‘driver alerts’, you can pull down a menu from the top of the screen to be able to manage any driver ‘assistance’ system you want to turn off. With its array of safety features, Terramar achieved the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating scoring well across all categories. The entry-level model is priced from €46,500; my review car €53,240. Road Tax €210.

 

Cupra Tavascan Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

After a somewhat hesitant start, Cupra is now showing momentum since becoming a stand-alone brand within the Volkswagen group in 2018, writes Brian Byrne. In Ireland, sales have increased more than 60 per cent in 2025 since last year. Most of that can be attributed to the arrival this year of two all-new Cupra models, the Terramar petrol hybrid and the Tavascan all-electric. Another interesting figure, Tavascan and the older ID.3-related Born hatchback sales mean that one in three Cupras sold this year are all-electric. For several reasons, the former SEAT spin-off is a brand on the rise.

One of those reasons is the touch of Alberto Torrecillas, a career product designer with the Spanish SEAT-Cupra company, who has been responsible for the special details and body styles of all Cupra models since the Formentor in 2019. Initially an interiors stylist, he took over full responsibility for exterior designs over a decade ago. The Tavascan is his latest production creation on the road, and his Raval small electric car is due for 2026 sales.

The Tavascan has a much stronger visual personality in the Cupra universe than other models. I suspect that this is because it was destined for the Chinese market from the beginning, and is, in fact, built there. The strongly sculpted and detail-filled front would especially be attractive to Asian tastes, though Torrecillas did ease back on the rest of the car so that it wouldn't frighten the European punters. It's overall a good-looking vehicle. The rear is an especially smooth execution. It has enough modelling to be interesting, but without extremes. In size, the car sits a little above the VW ID.5 and just below the Skoda Enyaq.

Inside, things have gone a bit over the top, with swooping dashboard sections and complicated details. A spar coming from where you would typically expect a centre console has only space for an emergency flasher button. In line with the VW Group style bible, there's a massive centre screen and a small one in front of the driver for the main driving instruments. The steering wheel is a good feel, with the strong copper-cloured motif and stitching that's the Cupra thing. The other Cupra thing is the satellite buttons for start-stop and selecting driving profiles.

When you get used to the visuals, you find that the Tavascan is roomy and comfortable. The finish, as one now expects from the brand, is excellent. The boot capacity at 540L is more than adequate for all reasonable travel needs.

The powertrain is shared across Volkswagen Group electric cars, with some modification for the Cupra sports heritage. There are single and dual-motor AWD variants; my review car was the single with 286hp on tap. That allows for a 6.8-second sprint to 100km/h, and I don't see any need for seeking more. Goes without saying that progress is absolutely smooth. The rated range is 546 km, with my usual caveat on that being closer to 450 in real use. Still plenty, really.

With Cupra, you're paying a bit of a premium for a sporty ethos and performance. That adds a feel-good element to ownership, and when someone shells out significant money for their personal transport, that's always worth factoring into the consideration of choice. I like Cupra's individual detailing, and in the case of Tavascan I probably would get used to the curious dashboard style rather quickly. It's really all down to taste, isn't it?

PRICE: From €44,365; review car €50,250. WHAT I LIKED: That Cupra badge is always a cut above other brands. 

Cupra Terramar Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Many years ago, Ford fitted me with a suit that their designers used to simulate what it’s like to be old, writes Brian Byrne. It was to help them design their cars so that, in addition to younger drivers, seniors with stiffer, aching joints could manage them too. There were goggles to simulate aged sight.

I was much younger then, and didn’t quite believe that the suit was a glimpse of my future. But now I am here. And it was.

So these days I appreciate many small details in some cars I get to drive. Such as whether the door openings are high enough for me to get in and out without banging my head. You’d be surprised how many aren’t, even in larger cars. Or whether the interior door pull placement requires me to reach far out to grab it. Again, more are like that than not. It appears that not every car designer wears a Ford ageing suit. 

So I was immediately impressed when I got into a Cupra Terramar, and both those issues were non-issues. These are details that put a reviewer in a reasonable frame of mind.

The style of the car, which replaces the Cupra version of the SEAT Ateca, also works, offering a quite individual take on the compact SUV segment. Within the VW Group universe, the Terramar is related to the Audi Q3. But it is safe to say the Cupra has considerably more style. Certainly more bite in the front design — a striking look that’s also reflected in the rear treatment.

The Terramar looks appropriate against a backdrop of moody, even threatening weather. But it’s also at home parked in front of a concert hall with occupants deplaning in full evening dress. I didn’t encounter either occasion with the review car, though we took the opportunity to visit Hillsborough Castle and Gardens for a day trip. Edward was the last royal to sign in there. A couple of weeks ago, we saw from the visitors’ book that they didn’t ask US to sign.

The house itself is appropriately old-fashioned, but we liked what the then Prince Charles had done with the Drawing Room and its collection of paintings by various Irish artists. You also have to like the Terramar’s lounging space — stylish with attitude, but not so much as to be annoying. The trademark Cupra copper-coloured detailing is well balanced, complementing the strong lines of the dashboard and centre console. The large centre screen is straight from VW’s design centre, though graphically co-branded SEAT-Cupra. Virtual ‘buttons’ for key climate and comfort controls are permanently located along the bottom of the screen, while a pull-down menu from the top provides instant access to manage any driver ‘assistance’ systems you prefer to switch off.

It’s a very comfortable five-seater, with both of us, on our 300km round trip to the North’s royal residence, holding up well on the day. On the way back, during a judicious tea stop at Castlebellingham Service Area, we were bemused by the array of expensive tat and game temptations for children of probably frazzled families. Glad we’re well beyond that.

Terramar is a sizeable car, but the 150hp from the 1.5 mild hybrid petrol engine proved ample on that trip and the other local drives I undertook with the vehicle. For its size, the Terramar was also commendably fuel-efficient.

There was a peculiar and initially unsettling sense of freewheeling whenever I lifted off the accelerator — perhaps I’m just used to strong engine braking in all the hybrid and electric cars I’ve been driving. Conversely, the car automatically tried to slow down when changing to a lower speed limit or approaching a vehicle in front.

We also both felt that, on the motorway cruise, there was a fair amount of road noise, which I attributed at least in part to the tyres.

Although these things can change, Terramar is expected to be the last new combustion vehicle that Cupra launches. If that’s the case, it’s a pretty good one. I also suspect the designer might have worn a Ford suit.

PRICE: From €46,400; review car €53,240. WHAT I LIKED: Cupra’s combustion era fading out in style. 

Cupra Formentor PHEV review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

In 2021, Cupra’s Formentor was the first vehicle designed and developed from the ground up as a Cupra model. Cupras are designed to offer a more thrilling driving experience, with powerful engine options and sporty avant-garde styling, whereas sister-company SEAT’s vehicles are more focused on traditional cars with smaller engines and value for money. Both are part of the Volkswagen Group. 

Their largest offering, the five-seater Formentor SUV coupe, provides the benefits of a performance car with the qualities, ride height, and roominess of an SUV but with lots of extra touches included. It is aimed at high-earning male buyers in their forties who will most likely have a young family and who want their car to have robust style and a sporty driving performance combined with modern technology. 

Cupra has sold 1,173 units in Ireland this year, with Formentor leading the charge with a 12.25 percent increase on the whole of last year, so their marketing strategy is obviously working. The Irish company plans to increase its market share to 2 percent as it builds awareness of the brand. The model has been given a significant facelift for 2025. Exterior changes include a redesigned front bumper that integrates the logo, a new grille, and updated fog lamps. The rear has an integrated, illuminated logo set within 3D infinite lighting for an iconic signature. 

My car was in a new matt shade called Century Bronze, which resembles an army vehicle’s colour. Bronze accents and 19-inch alloys made it stand out. Interior changes include a new dashboard, a padded central console, copper-coloured accents and stitching, and a wrap-around ambient light system across the dash and door panels. Centre stage is the new and easy-to-use 12.9-inch infotainment screen with an integrated navigation system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The car has a three-zone climate control system that allows both front seat occupants and rear passengers to set their own preferred temperatures independently. 

A colourful and customisable 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster supplies all the information you need almost within your line of vision, with your current speed shown bottom right on the screen. The multi-function steering wheel has two satellite buttons, which are the Start/Stop button and a drive selection one. Drive modes are Comfort, Performance, Individual, and Cupra for the ultimate driving experience. Some may like the touch-sensitive sliders for temperature and volume, others perhaps not. The automatic transmission gear selector is located on the flat of the central console. The D/S position allows operation in normal mode or sport mode. 

Comfy leather bucket seats with integrated headrests are mostly made from recycled polyester. My driver’s seat had power seat controls, three memory seat settings, and lumbar support. Storage areas include big front door bins, a decent glovebox, and a deep area below the front armrest with a 12V power socket. A wireless phone charger and two USBs are on the dash. Other features are an excellent rear view camera and Blind Spot monitors that light up a bright warning lamp on the inside part of the corresponding side mirror where a vehicle is approaching from that side. 

There’s good head and legroom in the rear, headspace being unaffected by the large sunroof, which you open or close by sliding your finger along the overhead control. There's a power tailgate, and luggage capacity for the plug-in hybrid version is 345 litres compared to the 450 litres in other variants. When not needed, the rear seats can be folded down for more cargo space. Trims are Formentor with output power below 245hp and VZ with a power out from 245hp. The latter adds touches of luxury, elevates performance, and adds 19-inch alloy wheels, dynamic chassis control, as well as new technology and a range of new engine options that now include petrol, diesel, two mild-hybrids, and plug-in hybrid versions with a blend of electric and petrol performance. 

While the entry engine is a 1.5 TSI with 150hp, my review car was the powerful VZ 1.5 TSI (petrol) 272hp e-Hybrid PHEV hybrid version mated to a 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Max torque is a powerful 400Nm which together with the petrol engine can shift the car from 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds. My fuel usage was 6.4 L/100kms. Motor tax is €140 for the PHEV models. 

On the road, I liked the power on tap, the whole atmosphere and styling of the cabin, and had no trouble with all-round visibility and liked the quite direct, well-balanced steering. With a big suite of driver assistance and safety systems, Formentor was awarded a maximum five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP. The entry price is €39,885; VZ from €59,135. Over €10,000 worth of options were exterior paint (€2,626), 19-inch copper machined alloys (€1,641), Sennheiser 12-speaker system with subwoofer (€704), Pure Performance of Matrix LED Ultra and Dynamic Chassis Control (€1,134), a Progressive Design pack of leather seats/power front seats with driver memory €1,154), Intelligent Drive DQ of side and exit assist, pre-crash assist, intelligent park assist, lane keeping, navigation, traffic jam assist and a top view camera (€2,017), panoramic sunroof (€1,287). These brought the price of my car as tested to €69,698. 

Formentor is named after Cape Formentor on the Spanish island of Mallorca and is produced in the Martorell factory in Catalonia, Spain.

 

Cupra Born VZ review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

When the Cupra Born was first introduced in 2021, it was a game-changer for the brand as it was their first all-electric model. A battery electric compact small family car that competes in the C-Segment, my review car was the latest version to the Cupra line-up, the Born VZ (Spanish for Veloz meaning ‘fast’) more powerful and with an impressive performance and range. 

The Born is built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform in Germany that’s also used for the Volkswagen ID.3. As a performance-focused model it is a sportier option with enhanced steering, brakes, and suspension. The new shade of Dark Forest is only available on the VZ version and with the exterior copper accents, it drew lots of admiring glances. Smart 20-inch Thunderstorm aero black/copper wheels added to the sporty look. 

The interior has a stylish dash, beautiful materials, and more warm copper accents. A floating 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen works well and I could access the menu systems quite easily. It is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. At the bottom of the screen a Touch Bar section has front seat heater controls. I’m not a fan of the Volkswagen sliders for climate control or volume which I find finicky to use. The 5.3-inch instrument cluster clearly provides all the information you need. Wonderful Sabelt Cup bucket seats with sporty integrated headrests, unique to the VZ, are so comfy with side bolsters to hold you in snugly. My seat had power adjustments, lumbar support and three memory settings. A big sunroof, with blind, added to the interior cheer. 

The leather steering wheel has regenerative braking paddles with three different levels of energy recuperation. A satellite button on the steering wheel selects Drive profiles Comfort, Performance, and Individual; another with a Cupra logo tap into +20kW of additional power (best left to the race track!). The twist transmission selector is off the steering column. Very tall people in the back may find their head almost touches the rear roof lining. There are knee indents on the front seat backs but no pockets, just very good door bins as hold-alls. The car has a rear wiper; boot space of 385 litres expands to 1,267 litres with the rear seats down, and there’s a small area below for cables. 

With its large-capacity 79kWh lithium-ion battery and 321hp, the VZ provides a whopping 545Nm of torque, making it one of the most dynamic cars in its segment and capable of a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds. Top speed is also increased and now limited to 200km/h - maybe OK for the German autobahns! Annual road tax is €120. 

Battery consumption is a claimed 14.7-17.3 kWh/100km; my long-term consumption came in between 14.6 kWh/100km and 15.6 kWh/100km. The battery pack has a rated range of almost 600km on a single charge. When I collected the car, it was 99pc charged at 496kms. Either way, it’s a very impressive range that allows you travel long distances uninterrupted for recharging. You can charge the car at home using an 11kW AC system or at a DC 170kW fast-charging meter which gives a fast charge from 10pc-80pc in under 30 minutes. 

Standard equipment included dark tinted windows, full LED headlamps, reversing camera with a top view camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Dynamic Chassis Control, Remote Park Assist and even a side assist warning system. Optional equipment included the metallic paint (€912), the Skyline Pack (€995), and a special 10-speaker sound system (€528). Big A-pillar windows greatly aided visibility and excellent blind spot monitors on the insides of side mirrors lit up when a vehicle was approaching from behind. 

I found the drive to be very quiet, but the car certainly was engaging with an edge to it with 322 bhp of power available, great for when you need it but keep out of penalty points territory. Steering is on the heavy side as I prefer. Road holding and cornering were superb and the suspension not too firm which came as a surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed driving longer distances in such high comfort. Audio alerts were gentle so there was no need to turn them off. A niggle in many cars nowadays is that reflections off the dashboard top in the windscreen in bright sunshine make it quite difficult at times to clearly see all the road ahead. This usually means me having to adjust my driving position to help eliminate the problem, sometimes not to the most comfortable position. 

Big on safety features, Born received a maximum five points in safety test results from EuroNCAP. Cupra is a stand-alone brand within the Volkswagen Group. The range entry price starts at €37,955; the VZ is priced from €62,170. With options of €2,435, my car came to a pricey €66,605. Prices include SEAI grants and VRT Relief.

 

Cupra Formentor Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

In humans, it would be called personal development, writes Brian Byrne. Moving up the levels of achievement with deliberate intent and working hard to get there. Whether in physical, intellectual, or even image terms. All in all, it's changing for the better. That's what Volkswagen did with Cupra. Elevating their SEAT models' performance variants into a whole new and premium brand. It's not easy to do that, but we've got to give Volkswagen its deserved kudos for staying the course. The Irish sales statistics are clear: SEAT is dropping, Cupra is climbing, and there are just three steps between them on the sales ladder this year.

Initially starting out with a Cupra-ised Leon, the next model was the Formentor. That was new and the first car designed specifically for the Cupra brand. It's a C-segment SUV with coupe styling and has been on the road since 2020, with a facelift last year that significantly upped the ante in terms of its PHEV powertrain.

In overall looks, the Formentor has a mix of curves and edges that are melded well to provide the kind of sporty ethos the brand aims for. The front end produced last year has its own distinction, with the triangular Cupra motif proudly forward in the copper colour that is the standout detail theme in the brand. There's a deftness about the designer's pen here that provides a very articulate sense of what the car is supposed to be and for whom it is aimed. That copper is also extended to the alloys that do their own thing to make the Formentor a stand-out, all without the kind of brashness that could so easily have been the result. The whole thing was enhanced in my review car by the special bronze matt paint, though that'll set you back an extra €2,600.

The theme continues inside the car, with a little more edginess to the style and trim, but maintaining elegance while pushing the sporty line. The copper detailing is again discreet but definite. The steering wheel has a couple of extra buttons under the crossbeam, one for the start-stop and another with only the Cupra logo, which selects the drive modes, with the sporty end getting primacy of the first stab. The driver instrument graphics are clear and customisable, and they're pretty good on the infotainment screen, though for my taste that screen is too big. There's easy climate management with the permanent set of virtual buttons along the bottom of the screen. For the passenger to raise or lower the volume is figuratively painful using the sliding system found across Volkswagen Group cars now. Still, the driver's volume control on the steering wheel is an excellent knurled wheel. The auto transmission shift is the centre console finger-flick one I like. Storage spaces in that console for bits and pieces are almost nothing after the phone-charge tray.

The car is roomy, with excellent space in the rear despite the coupe roof style. Luggage space is not exceptional but adequate for most everyday needs.

My review car was the more powerful of the two levels available in the PHEV, with 270hp on tap and enough torque to pull the car smoothly to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. The 6-speed dual-clutch transmission gave pleasurably fast changes under pressure, which I did occasionally in appropriate circumstances just for the fun of the feeling.

After a recent experience with the FR SEAT Leon that was equally fun, it was a very pleasant surprise to find that the Cupra didn't depend on the same firm suspension levels, and my drives were much more comfortable without any apparent reduction in handling.

Driving the Formentor in a typical mix of country-to-city traffic as a regular hybrid isn't hard on fuel, and gave me a decent return of 6L/100km. If you can drive it only from a full battery, you'll probably get 100 km on electric-only driving. A neat thing here is the battery can be charged at a full-power CCS point, making it doable to recharge on the road at a public unit.

This development of Cupra as a brand is working for all sorts of reasons. Certainly, I felt good in the car. Of course, all this means you're paying much more for the privilege than you used to in equivalent SEATs.

PRICE: From €39,885 for the entry 150hp; Review car from €59,135, plus €10,563 in extras. WHAT I LIKED: The car gives what the brand promises. 

Plug-in hybrid powertrains from Cupra

New generation plug-in hybrid powertrains feature on the latest versions of Cupra's Formentor and Leon, now on sale at dealerships, writes Brian Byrne. The rated EV range is claimed to be more than 100km.

The redesigned cars also show a strong new design and in addition to the PHEV can also be ordered with a traditional turbo petrol engine as well as one with mild hybrid technology, and a diesel.

Cupra is a Spanish performance brand of Volkswagen Group. Special deals on both cars are available up to 11 October. 

Cupra reveals Terramar

This is the new Cupra Terramar, revealed recently in Barcelona, writes Brian Byrne. Related to the latest generation VW Tiguan, it will go on sale in first markets later this year.

Details are sketchy but the SUV will include high-end technology such as matrix LED headlights, a head-up display, and premium sound system.

Powertrains are expected to include a range of petrol and hybrid engines, including a PHEV with up to 268hp.

Cupra became a standalone brand in 2018 after decades of being a performance grade in SEAT cars. 

Cupra's Zero Limits Event runs to 30 April 2024

Cupra’s nationwide Zero Limits Event is taking place in Cupra dealerships until 30th April, writes Trish Whelan. 

The event invites customers to experience one of Ireland’s fastest growing car brands with special offers available at your local dealership. 

Dealerships nationwide will showcase a lineup of petrol, diesel, PHEV and electric Cupra vehicles. Customers can avail of the Zero Limit offers including finance from 0pc APR PCP with a €1,000 Deposit Contribution towards your new model. 

Offers include the Cupra Born, Formentor, Ateca and Leon vehicles. 

Dedicated sales people will be on hand to answer questions, offer test drives, and guide customers through the features and benefits of each model.

 

Cupra Leon review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Separating from the Spanish carmaker SEAT, Cupra became a stand-alone brand in 2018 developing its own bespoke range of high-performance models based on contemporary design and sporty performance, writes Trish Whelan. Both brands are owned by the Volkswagen Group. 

My latest test drive was in the Cupra Leon, a performance version of the SEAT Leon family and an important model in the Cupra tribe. Leon is offered as a 5-door hatchback or as a Sportstourer estate. My review is focused on the hatchback, a powerful good-looking vehicle with a sporty character emphasised by its sharp strong lines, a copper-coloured logo, 18-inch alloy wheels with copper inserts and a black roof spoiler. The ‘Midnight Black’ exterior colour gave the car an aggressive edge. Leon is the closest Cupra model to the ground. 

The cabin is nicely stylish and very well laid out. Again with copper accents, but still a bit on the dark side, perhaps to match the exterior looks. Good build quality is evident. Bucket seats come as standard and there’s an option of leather. Seats in my car could be heated and had manual adjustments. There’s good rear legroom even for anyone seated behind a tall person in front. 

The car keeps you well connected on all fronts with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Cupra's Mirrorlink. There are two USB up front and a 12V power socket inside the big front armrest conveniently located where you can actually easily see and access it. A 10-inch Navi system touch screen allows you to customise the information you require in three different panels and nice graphics stand out against a dark background. I particularly liked both options available for the instrument cluster accessible through the View button on the steering wheel. Paddles behind the steering wheel allow you select manual transmission to be more in charge particularly when descending hilly roads. A pleasant ambient light stretches right across the dash. The multi-function steering wheel has part dark aluminium detailing and some copper stitching. A separate button here allows you select different driving modes. 

My car had a huge panoramic sun roof (an optional extra at €1,162) and with a manual blind. But if I was buying the car I would gladly exchange it for a reversing camera and good blind spot monitors on side mirrors along with front and rear parking sensors. There was just a rear sensor that showed as an outline of the rear of the car on the central screen with anything in close proximity being highlighted. I’m not a fan of those pesky VW slider controls for temperature control that are not easy to use. Give me proper knobs every time for climate and volume controls as they are way less distracting when on the go. 

Cubbies include a decent glovebox, good door bins, a good big area below the armrest. Boot volume is 380 litres and there’s a skinny spare below the floor, another option at €94. Families who need more space should take a look at the Sportstourer estate version which offers more boot volume. My car's spec also included dark tinted windows, full LED lighting, full digital cockpit, Adaptive cruise control, Lane and Front Assist. Other options were the Beats Audio (€649), Design Pack (€889) and metallic paint (€797). 

The brand has boosted its Leon line-up by broadening the range of engines available. A 1.5 TSI 150hp petrol engine and a 1.5 150hp mild hybrid DSG automatic petrol were added late last year. There’s also a 1.4 TSI 204hp PHEV and a really powerful 2.0 245hp petrol engine for those who like to go the full hog. 

My Leon 1.5 TSI hatch was plenty sporty for everyday use. I found the suspension to be quite firm but the seats provided enough comfort for that not to intrude on the enjoyment of driving the car which handled exceptionally well. Steering was just as I prefer, on the heavier side. Front side visibility was good due to the placing of the side mirrors and the slant of the A-Pillars. The engine was matched to a slick 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Maximum torque is a healthy 250Nm and the car can do from 0-100km/h in 8.9 secs. On the move, you can use electric mode in urban areas for 60kms of emission-free driving. The car offers a total range of around 690kms. Fuel consumption data showed a return of 7.4 L/100kms. Annual road tax is €210. 

I believe that not enough motorists are aware of the Cupra brand in Ireland despite strong advertising for the range that also includes the Formentor SUV, the all-electric Born and Ateca small SUV. Cupra Leon received a maximum of 5 stars from Euro NCAP for both combustion engine and plug-in hybrid variants in July 2021. 

Entry price: €36,310; my car with options of €3,591 was €43,681.

 

 

Discounts announced on Cupra Born EVs

Cupra Ireland are offering discounts of up to €7,000 on their Born electric car as an introduction to the 241 registration period, writes Brian Byrne.

The Born is available in three versions, with a new entry price of €36,697, including grants, representing a €5,037 saving on the previous price. The car is the 204hp version with a 58kWh battery. 

Other versions are 231hp vehicles with either 58kWh or 77kWh batteries. The top price of €46,226 now represents a €7,184 saving on previous pricing.

Meanwhile, Cupra dealers are holding a 'Cupra Zero Limits' event from January 12-20, with special 0pc PCP finance on all Cupra models, and discounts available on Ateca, Formentor and Leon models. 

Cupra Leon Review: Brian Byrne - Irish Car

Within the multiple Volkswagen Group brands, it is viably arguable that the Spanish SEAT subsidiary always got the best looks, certainly in the last decade, writes Brian Byrne. So, while the iconic Golf had to retain its fairly sober shape styling just because it was an icon, the Spaniards could make their equivalent model sexy. Which they did with successive generations of the Leon, essentially a Golf dressed for an Ibiza disco rave. Also, when they wanted a Golf GTI equivalent, they gave it engines ranging from 265hp to more than 300hp and added a Cupra suffix denoting a real hot disco swinger, so to speak. I have good memories of driving those on a number of occasions up around the hills behind Barcelona, making the most of the power and the handling on some seriously fun twisting roads.

As most readers know by now, the Cupra designation was hived off into a full performance brand a few years back, and is now building its own space with variants of the SEAT models. Part of the deal is some detailing of those disco rave outfits by the equivalent of an automotive haut couturier. The results include very tasty copper style elements and that Cupra logo that is still a mystery to many but to my eye is a splendid piece of graphic design. 

All of that looked good on the Cupra Leon I recently took out for appraisal. The underlying style of the model is funky enough to stand out against any icon-constrained design. The car's lowered suspension sits it closer to the road, enhancing the sense of sportiness. The power-dressed front was a promise of performance and in the black colour of the review car, it all looked nicely lean and mean.

Inside is fairly standard SEAT Leon but with the Cupra copper trimmings and badging — as well as the brand's own seats and trim style touches — lifting things beyond ordinary. It's a car easy to feel comfortable in, the only issue being the VW wretched finger-sliding climate and volume control for the otherwise good to use central touchscreen. Nice graphics there and on the driver's instruments cluster offering plenty of clear information, easily assimilated.

There's a range of powertrains for the Cupra Leon, from the 150hp 1.5 mild-hybrid petrol with manual or dual-clutch automatic transmissions, a couple of 150hp 2.0 diesels, a 1.4 plug-in hybrid with 245hp, and finally a pair of 2.0 petrols with 245hp or 300hp punch. That's a lot of engines for one model in a still-niche performance brand. Maybe too many.

The review car was the base in the grade series, up one notch because it was automatic. It's not that long ago that 150hp was quite in the mid- to higher power space for any ordinary car model. But in the last couple of years, with electric cars offering relatively high horsepower and acceleration as standard, I might have been expecting too much. 

Don't get me wrong. This engine has a healthy level of torque that, thanks to the help from the electric motor in the mild-hybrid setup, gives a very nice wide-band pulling power from as low as 1,500rpm and all the way to 3,500rpm. That makes for very relaxed driving especially with the excellent autobox which will nicely vary its selection response depending on how hard you want to push things. But, somehow, a 0-100km/h of a little under 9 seconds doesn't feel like Cupra should. All right, I WAS spoiled by those Leon Cupra 290s back less than a decade ago.

Of course, there's a reason why Cupra the brand is offering the 150hp engine. It gives a relatively affordable entry level that has all the coppery trimmings and good looks for those to whom great power is not really important. Besides, unless you're a track days kind of person, where can you use 300hp anyway in a road safety aware manner? What did surprise me was how very quickly I became comfortable with this motor over my time with the car, which included a wide range of driving conditions and distances. There may well be people prepared to spend more than €62,000 on a supercar-capable Cupra Leon, but I'll never be one of them. I grew to like very much the one I was given.

PRICE: From €35,310; review car €38,770. WHAT I LIKED: The haut-couture touches that always lifted my mood. 

 

Cupra DarkRebel showcar previews brand future direction

Volkswagen brand Cupra revealed a showcar at the Munich IAA mobility show that previews aspects of the design and direction future for the performance marque, writes Brian Byrne.

The DarkRebel concept was shown at the VW Group night of the show and is now on view to the public at the Cupra IAA Open Space.

The vehicle format is a 2-seat sports car with a shooting brake style. It is an all-electric car.