Latest news with #Cupra
NZ Autocar
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
The June 2025 issue of NZ Autocar is now on sale
The June issue of NZ Autocar magazine is out now. Find it all good magazine outlets and supermarkets. Find out what we have in store for readers below. Subscribe to NZ Autocar to ensure you get the best automotive magazine delivered to your mailbox, while enjoying a discount on the cover price. We attend the big Shanghai Auto extravaganza to see what's in the pipeline for NZ. Racy is not how you'd describe your average Lexus. But now there's a hot-shot AWD compact Lexus crossover that's track-ready. Meet LBX Morizo RR. Kia has yet another new electric vehicle on sale in the form of the EV3. It's recently been crowned the World Car of the Year. So what's all the fuss about? The latest Audi is the new S5. It's the replacement for the old S4, which we quite liked. Is the new one better? The Volvo XC90 undergoes another revision as it enters its second decade. Is it still a viable option for those after a premium seven-seat SUV? Mini's first electric Cooper went well enough, but couldn't roam that far out of town. The new SE remedies that. The 911 rallies yet again in its 992.2 generation, adding electrification to its bag of tricks. Is the Carrera GTS still a divine choice? The Skoda Superb is somewhat of a novelty in 2025. It's one of the dwindling wagon choices in a sea of SUVs. Is the new one really superb? PHEVs are going gangbusters in some parts of the world where EV range is now well over 100km. How does Haval's first effort rate? The previous RS Q8 we drove was a wild thing, but this latest is even more epic, with added output and cornering prowess. Cupra is expanding in New Zealand and going more premium. Meet the entry-level Cupra, the Sportstourer V. The biggest BYD has joined the long-term fleet, and we outline what's in store for this plug-in ute. We take a little R&R in sunny Queensland, and find there a lot of Chinese cars in Australia too. TVR mashes together a mix of parts to deliver a sports car low in weight and heavy with power. The Chimaera, named after a mythical monster, is one of the more popular models here. We take a look at a nicely restored 5.0-litre version. Royal Enfield now has six machines powered by its 650cc parallel twin engine. The latest is this, the Bear 650, a scrambler.
Irish Examiner
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Cupra Tavascan review: sleek electric SUV impresses with sporty drive and standout design
Cupra will be a 'name' in due course, but right now not enough people know about it Brand recognition is a vital component of any manufacturer's raison d'etre and the motoring sphere is no different from any other endeavour where selling to Joe and Jane Public is essential to success. But if Jane and Joe have no idea about your product line-up, then you're in a spot of bother. For Cupra, the SEAT sub-brand for which the parent Volkswagen Group has lofty ideas, that's a big issue right now. Factor in the intention of its VW masters to launch Cupra as a standalone marque to the US within the next decade, then brand recognition becomes altogether more important for those charged with making it a success. As we have pointed out on numerous occasions when writing about this excellent new brand, this lack of public awareness about the marque and its products is both bewildering and dumb. If you're not out there pushing the metal, then the metal is not going to sell itself. And the thing is that Cupra does have a lot to say about itself – excellent model line-up, competitive pricing and individual product which is as good as if not better than that of the parent company. Indeed – and it has been obvious for some time – that subsidiary companies such as Skoda, SEAT and now Cupra are if not necessarily leaving equivalent VW products looking dull and uninspired by comparison with what they are making, then they are certainly making better cars. But, the reason why Cupra – with its 'four-legged spider' logo and copper-coloured body inserts and alloy wheels – has come into existence is, in reality, because the powers that be in Wolfsburg realised that it was probably going to be impossible to change the brand perception that accompanies the SEAT brand. Sadly, the Spanish marque, has always been associated with the lower end of the market and no end of brand manipulation was going to change that perception. So, what to do? Well, the easy answer was simply to reinvent it. Cupra is that reinvention. Oddly, though, what has emerged is something that will potentially challenge the VW badge itself and it will be interesting in the years to come to see how Wolfsburg copes with that challenge. But enough waffle. The Tavascan is named, like all SEAT and Cupra models, after towns or locations across Spain (in this case a small village in the heart of the Pyrenees, near the border with France). It is solely an EV, like its sibling the Born, and it is Cupra's stab at that most awful of automotive segments, a Coupe SUV. In fairness, looking at it, it does not immediately come across as one of those terrible, but more like a simply sleek SUV. It is a good-looking thing and your eye is caught more by its body curves than the heavily sloped roof, which isn't that heavily sloped really. Cupra Tavascan stylish interior There is an element of drama about the car's appearance and its looks purposeful and modern, despite the fact the designers have relied heavily on older design tropes (clam-shell-y bonnet, Avant Garde light clusters front and rear), fat wheel arches and swoopy creases and folds along the flanks). The interior too dares to be different and is, nominally, a feast for the eyes. There's a unique Y-shaped element which emerges from the centre console between the front seats and melds into the dash and creates a futuristic vibe. On the one hand, this design's adventurousness is daring and different; on the other, it is let down by the materials used to create it, but more of that later. Passenger space is very generous — especially for those in the rear where neither head or leg room are compromised by the supposed 'coupe' look or the panoramic roof — and the boot is huge too. The one caveat is that the materials used – despite plenty of eye-catching copper inserts – don't feel as premium as they might. They are too hard and scratchy for the premium feel that is being sought here. Otherwise, the seats are fantastically comfortable and the tech levels – including the huge 15' touchscreen – are very impressive, although we would have liked a non-integrated climate system and button controls for same. But stuff like the Sennheiser stereo system also adds heft to the package. Driving it, however, is where its winning character comes into play – it's a hoot. Now, that's not something we've often said about EVs; sure, some of them are light-switch fast, but most don't have the handling nous necessary to make that palatable. This one does. The engineers have done a thorough job on the front and rear suspensions – MacPherson struts at the front and multi-link rear setups – have been finely calibrated and it shows. This thing handles like the sporty entity Cupra wanted it to be and not like your regular sloppy mid-sized SUV. With the steering having been specially engineered to provide more driver feel and engagement and, allied with the suspension tuning, the Tavascan packs the necessary ride and handling punch to please even the most demanding driver. The all-new Cupra Tavascan Work has also been done to give heft to the braking system – something we found to be wanting on the recently reviewed Born. Here, they are reassuringly responsive and do their job well. Add that to 286 bhp whack coming from the 210-kW electric motor – powering the rear wheels – on our 'Endurance 6' specced model and you have something very engaging indeed – much moreso than either the excellent Skoda Enyaq or the disappointing Volkswagen ID.3. There are, of course, a choice of driving modes – and you even get a 'Cupra' button t-on the steering wheel which promises more grunt but doesn't really deliver much. As is so often with EVs these days, you're best off sticking it in 'comfort' mode and leaving it at that. But then you've got the Tavascan's range and re-charging prowess, both of which are impressive. The official range is 546km, but you can feel certain you'll get close to 500 km at least without being overly careful, while the 20-80% charging takes about half-an-hour. So far, so good. So, what are the downsides? Well, this car is actually made in China and therefore subject to EU tariffs introduced last year – even before 'Tariff' Trump swung into action. That makes it quite an expensive car for the mid-size SUV segment, but we can expect to see some inventive sales pitches here to soften that blow somewhat. The other downside is the quality of the interior materials; for a supposedly premium vehicle, they're just not up to the job and detract from what is an otherwise excellent package. Once more with a Cupra product, we have something here which is tantalisingly close to being a five-star product but falls just shy. That they're getting so close to excellence promises much for the brand and its future. This 'experiment' gets more interesting by the day – now all they need is for the general public to actually know and understand what they're up to. Read More Opel Grandland EV review: electric SUV offers good range and undercuts hybrids on price
NZ Autocar
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
2025 Cupra Formentor VZ Review
Each time we've driven the Cupra Formentor crossover, we get the feeling we've experienced about the best there is in the compact crossover sector. But can that last forever? Er, apparently, because there's still nothing much else in the area that thinks it's a hot hatch in disguise. This still goes like stink and corners like a car, so what's not to like? Perhaps a price rise precisely when the global economy seems to be on a knife edge. Things have changed somewhat though, for the Formentor has undergone a recent facelift. There's a new more go-get-em look up front, with an aggressive prow and reshaped bonnet line. Down the back are new lights, and a Cupra sign that illuminates at night, along with a full-width light bar. But the shape is still familiar, as is the urban friendly size of Formentor (4.45m long, by 1.84m wide). It fits easily enough in our garage and will tote five adults at a pinch, better for four though. A turning circle of 10.7m is city friendly too, not that rearward visibility is exactly first rate. Nevermind as a surround camera circumvents that issue. The Formentor line-up slims down for this year; the hybrid is now to-order only. Meantime, Cupra is making moves to become a national player. Outlets are on the up. Previously, there was just the single 'garage' in Auckland but now there are six. Five are scattered about the North Island, two in Auckland, either side of the bridge. There's a lone Christchurch site on the mainland. Cupras are now more expensive but what isn't subject to price creep? The entry-level V model is asking $65,500. When we drove it in 2022 it was under $50k. That's in part due to a repositioning of Cupra as a more premium brand. So it competes now with a different calibre of rival, as does the VZ you see here. At one time this model with the hot 2.0T engine and DCT tranny was available for under $70k but now commands a price tag of $87,500. At least now you can haggle over the price however, Cupra moving away from the agency model. As if to emphasise its shift in status, the retail outlets are placed in close proximity to Audi dealerships, putting it in good premium company. You buy the Audi if you want the conservative choice, the Cupra if you want something a bit more dynamic with outgoing style. Despite fewer models in each area, the line-up is growing. Aside from Cupra Formentor and Leon SportsTourer – the hatch has dropped out, as has Cupra Born – there's also the new Terramar SUV, along with the electric Tavascan due here later this year. So now most Cupras you can buy have ICE power and electrification…except for the one you see here. It's pure 2.0T power, hooked up to a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission and driving through all four wheels. It can honk, naturally, given its output of 245kW and 420Nm, cutting the sprint out in 4.8sec. We near as dammit managed that on a damp road. That's so far ahead of the V it isn't funny, being almost twice as quick. You pay more up front and at the pump of course. That said, we easily met its mean fuel consumption figure of 8.3L/100km (8.8 rightcar) on the motorway at cruising speed, even if the long term average was just into double figures. The mild hybrid V model uses a suggested 5.5L/100km. Yes, it's still a proper riot, especially in the more vibrant Cupra mode where it's amongst the fastest, most dynamic and tastiest of compact crossovers available at present. And the best bit is that the ride is, if anything, even better. Sure, it's firm in the go-hard Cupra and Race modes, but not jarringly so. And in the Personal mode, you can dial up adaptive damper settings from Comfort to Cupra. In the Comfort mode it borders on pampering, midway is ideal for regular out-of-town drives and Cupra is for, well, Cupra driving. This is the main difference from its natural Eastern rival, the LBX Morizo RR. It also feels more premium and is somewhat roomier. It's also more potent, sounds better and is a half second quicker in the sprint. Like the RR, this is a limpet in the dry, confident in the wet. And its quick steering and Cupra bark make it feel even more like a hot-hatch. Beware the options boxes as they add up. With Akrapovic exhaust ($7400), the Century Bronze matte paint ($4k), matrix LED headlights ($2k), panoramic sunroof ($3100) and special copper-coloured forged alloy wheels ($3300) that put the price over the top to $107,300. You can also order an Akebono front brake upgrade for $4500 but we'd not bother for the standard items are good as is. Other rivals are more expensive and not as quick, like X2 M35i, and Q3 Sportback (ditto). VW's T-Roc R costs less but isn't as ornery. Cupra Formentor VZ $87,500 / 8.3L/100km / 200g/km 0-100 km/h 4.78s Engine 1984cc / IL4 / DI / T Max power 245kW@5600-6500rpm Max torque 420Nm@2100-5500rpm Drivetrain 7-speed-twin clutch / AWD Weight (claimed) 1679kg
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Wales Online
Road-rage brawl shuts major Welsh road as air ambulances called to scene
Road-rage brawl shuts major Welsh road as air ambulances called to scene The road was shut for more than two hours, with two people taken to hospital Traffic built up by Conwy Morfa after an incident on the A55 westbound near the Penmaenbach Tunnel on May 19 (Image: David Powell ) A major Welsh road was closed for hours after a road-rage dispute erupted into violence on the carriageway. Emergency services were called to the westbound carriageway of the A55 in North Wales on Monday, May 19 after a fight broke out between two men. The incident caused major disruptions to rush-hour traffic and prompted a large emergency response. The altercation occurred near Dwygyfylchi, where two men, who were passengers in separate vehicles, became involved in a brawl. Police, along with two air ambulances, were called to the scene, reports North Wales Live. Both men were taken to hospital with injuries, and one was later arrested. Two women, who police said were driving the cars involved in the incident, were also arrested. Officers have confirmed that no collision had taken place. In a statement, North Wales Police said: "North Wales Police were called at 16:01hrs on Monday, May 19th reporting an altercation in the live westbound carriageway of the A55 at Dwygyfylchi between two males. Officers responded and the road was closed. Article continues below Police en-route to an incident on the A55 westbound just after Penmaenbach Tunnel (Image: North Wales Live/David Powell ) "Both males were passengers in separate vehicles - an Audi and a Cupra, and both were injured and taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd with injuries. "The female drivers of both vehicles were arrested - a 33-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and section 18 wounding and a 49-year-old female was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, racially aggravated public order and careless driving. "One male has since been released from hospital and is now in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of assault. "Both females have since been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue. The A55 reopened shortly before 6pm. "Officers would like to thank all those who contacted them yesterday, and also to all motorists for their patience and understanding whilst the incident was dealt with." Two air ambulances were dispatched to the scene. One from Caernarfon arrived at the site at around 4.30pm, while the second helicopter from Welshpool was redirected en-route to the incident. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here At one point, both directions of the A55 were shut between the Penmaenmawr exit and the Llandudno Junction side of the Conwy Tunnels. This led to traffic being diverted onto alternative routes, causing congestion in areas such as Conwy and Llandudno Junction. The eastbound lanes were reopened shortly after the incident, but the westbound carriageway remained closed for over two hours. Article continues below
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Wales Online
Brawling men force A55 to close and spark huge emergency response
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The cause of an A55 closure, which shut the westbound carriageway for two hours and sparked a huge emergency response has been confirmed by police and it wasn't a crash. A fight broke out between two men, after a road-rage type incident at the height of rush hour yesterday afternoon. The brawl took place near Dwygyfylchi, with police and air ambulances called to the scene. Both men, who were passengers in separate cars, were taken to hospital with injuries. One was later arrested with the women drivers of the two cars, also arrested. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox A North Wales Police statement said: "North Wales Police were called at 16:01hrs on Monday, May 19th reporting an altercation in the live westbound carriageway of the A55 at Dwygyfylchi between two males. Officers responded and the road was closed. "Both males were passengers in separate vehicles - an Audi and a Cupra, and both were injured and taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd with injuries. "The female drivers of both vehicles were arrested - a 33-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and section 18 wounding and a 49-year-old female was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, racially aggravated public order and careless driving. "One male has since been released from hospital and is now in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of assault. Both females have since been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue. The A55 reopened shortly before 6pm. (Image: David Powell) "Officers would like to thank all those who contacted them yesterday, and also to all motorists for their patience and understanding whilst the incident was dealt with." Two air ambulances were called. One from Caernarfon landed at the site at around 4.30pm while the second helicopter from Welshpool turned around on route to the incident. At one point both sides of the A55 were closed between the Penmaenmawr turnoff and the Llandudno Junction side of the Conwy Tunnels. This saw traffic diverted onto alternative roads with congestion in places like Conwy and Llandudno Junction. The eastbound lanes reopened a short a time after the incident, but the road remained closed Westbound for more than two hours. Find out what's happening near you
