The Cupra Terramar is a completely new model in the Spanish brand’s range. It is as temperamental as the Formentor, but slightly larger. The car will be available with hybrid and combustion drive. What do we know about it?
When Cupra became an independent brand in 2018, its first model was the Ateca – a sporty version of the Seat. However, just 2 years later, the Formentor hit the market, the first Cupra that did not have its equivalent in the range of the older Spanish brand. The car became an instant bestseller – also in Poland, where it regularly enters the elite group of the most frequently purchased SUVs.
It is no wonder that the Spaniards followed up by presenting the Cupra Terramar – a model that begins a new era of SUVs for the Barcelona manufacturer. We, as one of the few in Poland, have already had the opportunity to see this car live. What impression did it make on us?
Dynamic silhouette
The first glance at the Terramara leaves no doubt – it is immediately obvious that we are dealing with a Cupra. The car is full of Spanish exuberance, and its characteristic design refers to the brand’s new stylistic language. The most recognizable point of the design is of course the shark nose motif, which can be found in the front fascia. We already know it from the renewed incarnations of the Leon and Formentor.
But that’s not the end of the brand’s heritage references. “You always recognize Cupra cars by the light and its graphics,” Jordi Font from the Terramara design team told us, and it’s hard not to agree with him. The new SUV is no exception. Both the front and rear lights have characteristic graphics, and the rear part of the body is dominated by a light strip with an illuminated brand logo. Even in the dark, you can see that this is a Cupra through and through.
Terramar is available in 9 colours, including varnish. Dark Void. It is inspired by the Cupra Dark Rebel concept car and is meant to express “the depth, mystery and unexpected themes that Cupra represents”. One thing is for sure – this color effectively distinguishes the Terramar from the street crowd.
We had the opportunity to see it live, watching the premiere model under the grandstand of the Terramar track in Sitges. As you can see, the name of the new Cupra refers to this symbolic place for the brand.
Family character and sporting spirit
“Despite its sporty spirit, the Terramar is ideally suited to be a family car. Just right for fashionable and dynamic dads,” says Marcin Domagała, editor-in-chief of OTOMOTO News. These words best reflect the character of the new Cupra.
The Terramar is based on the well-known MQB Evo architecture. The car is 4,519 mm long, 1,586 mm high and 1,869 mm wide. Its axles are 2,680 mm apart.
Such body dimensions have allowed for a spacious interior, the usability of which is enhanced by well-thought-out solutions. Among them, the adjustable bench stands out. It can be moved to adjust the proportions between the amount of space in the second row and the capacity of the trunk to current needs with one movement. As a result, the largest of the Terramar’s storage compartments can have a capacity of 540 to even 630 l. This does not apply to the plug-in hybrid, which has a slightly smaller (400-490 l) trunk.
However, each variant has an equally spacious interior. There is plenty of space in the front. Second-row passengers also have no complaints about space.
But – as befits Cupra – the cabin also has a sporty touch. This is clearly visible in the excellent, sports seats, which leave no illusions as to the car’s dynamic aspirations. Depending on which interior trim version we choose (available: Deep Ocean, Moon Light and High Canyon), they will differ, among others, in the finish of the central part of the seats, as well as in the materials.
As Roger Llunel, Terramra product manager, told us: “In Deep Ocean we have PVC seats and yarn fabrics Seaqual Yarnwhich is made from recycled bottles fished out of the sea. We have already presented it in the Cupra Born model. In the interior Moon Light we have seats Dynamicswhich are made from at least 73% recycled plastics and in the last, High Canyonwe have leather seats that are made using a bio-based tanning process that is much more sustainable than the process used in other cars.”
Multimedia
The cockpit is not only made of great, ecologically sustainable materials, but is also driver-oriented. After all, the Cupra is supposed to be fun to drive. In front of the driver’s eyes is a high-quality 10.25″ digital clock screen. It can present data in one of several styles. Among them is one with a large central tachometer – perfect for dynamic driving. During this, the head-up display and… classic buttons on the steering wheel will also prove useful, providing extremely easy operation.
In turn, the center of the dashboard features a 12.9″ multimedia screen. Its operation is extremely intuitive, and therefore incredibly convenient. Obviously, Terrmar can connect to smartphones using Apple Car Play and Android Auto interfaces (wired and wireless). But it is also worth taking an interest in My CUPRA Appan application that allows you to remotely manage your car using a smartphone, allowing you to control the air conditioning, for example.
In turn, during relaxing journeys with Terramar, the sound system will be an invaluable support. Sennheiser. We checked it out – it sounds really good.
Advanced drive systems
The Terramara’s range of powertrains is exceptionally wide, so everyone will find something for themselves. Regardless of whether the priority is above-average performance or care for the environment, the new Cupra SUV will perfectly fit into the expectations of customers.
The entry ticket to the world of Terramar is the 1.5 TSI engine with 150 hp. It is equipped with a mild hybrid system and a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Moreover, the automatic transmission is standard in all versions of Terramar.
Above that is the 2.0 TSI unit. It is available in two power versions. The weaker one has 204 HP, and the top version VZ generates 265 HP. Both versions have 4Drive all-wheel drive.
Naturally, Cupra has not forgotten about the electrified system, offering customers a plug-in hybrid. Its basis is a 1.5 TSI unit, which is assisted by an electric engine. This is the most powerful version of the Terran with a system power of 272 HP. The electric unit draws life-giving electrons from a 19.7 kWh traction battery. As the Spaniards assure, the plug-in version can travel over 100 km without starting the combustion engine. The current in the battery can be charged with a power of up to 50 kW (DC).
The front suspension design uses MacPherson struts, while the Terramar has a multi-link system at the rear. Optional adaptive DCC suspension is also available (standard on more powerful versions). The two top VZ versions – 2.0 TSI 265 HP and eHybrid 272 HP – can be equipped with Akebono performance brakes with 6-piston calipers and larger 375x36mm discs (standard ones are 340x36mm). The car can move on wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches.
And when will the Cupra Terramar hit the roads? The first units will reach Poland in the fourth quarter of this year. There is certainly something to wait for! In turn, bargain hunters should be happy to hear that the premiere of the new model has resulted in a significant – reaching almost PLN 50,000! – price reduction for the brand’s first SUV, the Cupra Ateca. We wrote more about it HERE.
