Fancy paintwork and upgraded brakes headline fledgling Spanish performance brand’s debut Launch Editions
Cupra Australia has announced a trio of new additions to its inbound model portfolio in the form of the Leon, Formentor and Ateca Launch Editions, all of which are due to arrive here in July.
Based on their respective VZx flagship variants, only 100 Launch Editions are all available to order online as of noon today (May 4), with their exclusivity and extra toys inevitably driving prices up compared to the donor models that will follow soon after.
Priced from $65,065 plus on-road costs, the Cupra Leon Launch Edition is $4075 more expensive than the $60,990 Leon VZx but offsets the extra outlay by the inclusion of ‘Graphene Grey’ premium metallic paint and the normally optional Brembo brake package.
Those who fancy a bit more colour in their motoring lives can opt for an alternative ‘Megnetic Tech’ matte paint for an extra $1825.
It’s a similar story with the Cupra Formentor Launch Edition, which retails for $66,115 plus ORCs – $4625 more than the Formentor VZx – and comes with the same premium paint (‘Petrol Blue’ matte paint is also optionally available) and upgraded stoppers.
Fittingly for the all-out flagship, the Cupra Ateca Launch Edition not only scores the aforementioned upgrades as standard, but also comes with the optional Akrapovic exhaust system as standard, as well as exclusive 19-inch machined alloy wheels.
The inclusion of the exhaust and sexier hoops has inevitably driven the Ateca’s price up, in this instance an even $7000 to $67,990, but Cupra says all Launch Editions offer better value than a similarly specced VZx.
All versions can also be had with an optional sunroof.
Cupra Australia head of product and planning Jeff Schafer said the Launch Editions would appeal most to those “looking for the most design-led and performance-focused interpretations” of the Cupra brand.
“Based on the flagship VZx specification of each model, we expect the Leon, Formentor and Ateca Launch Editions will be warmly welcomed by a country with an automotive passion for design, performance and technology,” he said.
For reference, all VZx and Launch Edition models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 221kW/400Nm in the Leon and Ateca or 228kW/400Nm in the Formentor.
All models come standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to either the front (Leon) or all four wheels (Formentor and Ateca).
How much do the Cupra Launch Editions cost?Leon (a) – $65,065Formentor (a) – $66,115Ateca (a) – $67,990
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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Keyword: Exclusive Cupra Launch Editions here in July