Cupra facelift for Leon and Formentor to lead next phase of Australian expansion

Sweeping changes to two of Cupra’s top-selling models in Australia – the Formentor SUV and the Leon hatch – will form part of the brand’s next phase in its expansion in Australia over the next 18 months.

Announced overnight and due in Australia early next year, the Volkswagen-owned Spanish brand unveiled a new “shark-like” design theme, triangular matrix LED headlights and tail-lights, as well as the following changes:

• Larger infotainment screen (12.9 inches);
• 12-speaker Sennheiser audio on certain models;
• Plug-in hybrid variants gain a peak output of 200kW and 100km of claimed electric driving range;
• Akebono brake upgrade on performance vehicles;
• Formentor and Leon wagon gain a new petrol engine option borrowed from the VW Golf R, delivering 245kW “with torque splitter technology” (all-wheel-drive);
• Cupra Leon hatch performance flagship to remain front-drive.

While Cupra sales are growing in Europe, deliveries in Australia are down 28 per cent so far this year while the brand awaits new or updated models.

The company says it is about to enter its next phase of growth in Australia, with more models – and more showroom locations – on the way.

The facelifted Cupra Formentor pictured in the two images above, due here in early 2025.

In addition to the updated Formentor SUV (Cupra’s top-selling model in Australia) and Leon hatch due early next year, Cupra Australia says it is poised to introduce the following vehicles over the next 18 months:

• Cupra Tavascan electric SUV (new model);
• Cupra Terrarmar plug-in hybrid SUV (new model);
• Cupra Born VZ (high-performance version of the Cupra Born electric car, additional variant);
• Cupra Ateca VZx small SUV will be joined by a mild-output “warm hatch” (additional variant);
• Cupra Leon VZe PHEV wagon (additional variant);
• Cupra Leon VZx turbo all-wheel-drive wagon (additional variant);
• Cupra Formentor VZe PHEV Tribe limited edition (additional variant);
• Cupra Leon VZe PHEV Tribe limited edition (additional variant);

“Cupra isn’t yet two years in Australia,” Cupra Australia boss Ben Wilks said. “By the time we’re blowing out our third birthday candle, we’ll have almost doubled our range in terms of models and added more variants.

“(Head office in) Barcelona is invested in that. It took a lot of doing to bring the Born (electric car) here well ahead of similar cars from associated (Volkswagen) brands, but we did it.”

The facelifted Cupra Leon pictured above.

The executive said, from next year, Cupra Australia will have four propulsion options in showrooms: turbo petrol, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric power.

Currently there are nine Cupra showrooms nationally, including two in Sydney and one each in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

“There’ll be further announcements (regarding new showrooms) in the near future, along with regional service centres as we expand outside the capital cities,” said Mr Wilks.

The facelifted Cupra Formentor interior, above.

The facelifted Cupra Leon interior, above.