Early launch for Cupra

VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia’s new Spanish brand – Cupra – has become available in the local market a month earlier than planned. The importer now offers Launch Edition versions of its three models online, of which all examples of the Formentor has been sold.

Cupra announced last week that more than 9000 expressions of interest had been registered at cupraofficial.com.au – around 30 per cent of which accrued in a fortnight.

The majority of enquiries were for the Formentor, followed by the Born EV, which was recently confirmed for local introduction in early 2023 by the brand's global head Wayne Griffiths.

"Online ordering is now open for our Launch Edition models, which will arrive in July," Cupra Australia's Head of Product and Planning, Jeff Shafer, confirmed on May 4.

"Based on the flagship VZx specification of each model, we expect the Launch Editions will be warmly welcomed by a country with an automotive passion for design, performance and technology," he added.

The Leon VZx Launch Edition, which is priced from $65,065 (plus on-the-road costs) or $67,990 drive-away, features Graphene Grey premium metallic paint (it can also be specified with Magnetic Tech Matte paint for $1825) and a Brembo brake package.

The Formentor VZx Launch Edition also the brake package, which will be a $4150 option of the upcoming standard VZx variant, as well as 19-inch Exclusive Sport black and copper alloy wheels and is priced from $66,115 (+ ORCs) or $69,990 drive-away.

But if you were interested in purchasing the Formentor VZx Launch Edition, which could be specified in Petrol Blue Matte paint for $1825 extra (as opposed to the $2300 on a regular Formentor VZx), all 50 units of the special variant were snapped up within a few hours after it went on sale online at noon on May 4, Cupra Australia said.

The Ateca VZx Launch Edition is priced from $67,990 (+ ORCs or $69,990 drive-away and painted exclusively in Graphite Grey metallic paint adds a tuneful Akrapovic Exhaust and exclusive 19-inch Machined R Sport Alloy Wheels in black and copper.

By comparison, a non-Launch Edition Ateca VZx optioned with Akrapovic exhaust will cost $71,940 drive-away.

The Leon VZ, VZe and VZx, Formentor V, VZ, VZe and VZx, and Ateca VZx will be available to order from June (prices listed in the links below) and customers who successfully ordered the Launch Editions will take delivery beginning in July. 

By the time the Launch Editions arrive in July, Cupra will have agents in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and the ACT. The halo of these City Garages will be in the Sydney CBD, with more details to be revealed soon.

Director of Cupra Australia Ben Wilks said that customers were responding strongly to the brand's "singular focus on performance and design".

"We've said from the announcement of Cupra coming to this country, that ours won't be a brand that's liked by everyone, rather it will be loved by some, and we saw that yesterday (when the Formentor VZx Launch Edition sold out quickly)."