REIGN OF TERRA? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The Terramar is CUPRA's most important combustion model yet. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 44

The CUPRA Terramar joins the brand's Formentor model in the mid-sized SUV class. It probably has a broader appeal than any previous combustion-powered CUPRA model and aims to offer something a little sportier and more interesting than the VW Group crossovers it's based upon.

Backgroundword count: 204

In a sense, CUPRA has come full circle here. In 2019, the brand launched its first model, a borrowed re-badged design from parent company SEAT, the CUPRA Ateca. Five years on, CUPRA is very different, now global, selling in the US and set later this decade to effectively replace the marque that originally sired it. It's not just a sporting nameplate anymore, so you'd expect the replacement for the CUPRA Ateca, this car, the CUPRA Terramar, to be more than just the niche, sporty mid-sized SUV its predecessor was. Perhaps the biggest news to start with is that it's not electric - not in the full-EV Born and Tavascan sense anyway. First, because CUPRA thinks it has enough full-battery products of this size; and second because, like every other brand, the Spanish maker is alarmed by the way that EV sales have stalled, while interest in Hybrid models is on the up. So that's what we've got with the usual VW Group engineering presented here, elsewhere packaged in this segment as either the Skoda Karoq, a Volkswagen Tiguan or an Audi Q3. But more sportily presented here, as befits the model name, which references the Autodromo de Sitges-Terramar, a historic racing oval near Barcelona.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 256

The engines here are all familiar VW Group units - which means that there's no self charging full Hybrid: just a base mild hybrid, the top PHEVs and more dynamic 2.0 TSI turbo units for those who want to match the sporty styling cues to outright performance. Unlike Volkswagen, Skoda or Audi, CUPRA doesn't think you'll want a diesel. Where the Terramar aims to differentiate itself is with its drive experience. The ride height of the MQB Evo platform has been lowered by 10mm over what it is with this model's cousin VW Group SUVs. Plus there's a Dynamic Chassis Control system with two-valve shock absorbers which work in a range of drive modes. All models get 'Comfort', 'Performance', 'Individual' and 'Off road' settings, plus the top VZ variant adds an all-out 'CUPRA' mode too. In addition, across the range steering has been sharpened, properly supple multi-link rear suspension is included and an electric brake booster aims to enhance response and braking feel during regenerative harvesting. Engine choice kicks off with a 1.5-litre 48V mild hybrid with 150PS - or there's a couple of 2.0 TSI 4WD variants with either 204PS or (for the fastest VZ version) 265PS and '4Drive' 4WD. The VZ makes 62mph in 5.9s en route to 151mph. Two eHybrid PHEVs also feature, with either 204PS or 272PS and can go up to 70 miles on a charge from the 19.7kWh battery pack. The 272PS eHybrid makes 62mph in 7.3s en route to 134mph. All models drive via a 7-speed DSG auto gearbox.

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