Cupra at Hampton Downs: Cupra's origin story

A brief history lesson

Cupra started as the performance offshoot of Spanish carmaker SEAT. Since the nineties, they’ve taken regular SEAT hatchbacks and injected them with a shot of adrenaline, turning them into feisty hot hatches.

Fast forward to 2018, and Cupra became a standalone brand with its own distinct identity – although still under the umbrella of the Volkswagen Group. This resulted in cars like the Formentor and all-electric Tavascan, which look visually stunning and are equally aggressive on the road. 

Sleek, stylish, and unapologetically bold, Cupra’s current lineup is visually chic and exudes premium styling. Of course, being part of the VW Group means Cupra’s sporty offerings are often compared to its more established siblings like the Golf R and Audi S3 – some even refer to Cupra as the ‘parts bin’ of the VW brand. But in many ways, Cupra doesn’t just borrow technology, it reimagines it. 

By blending familiar engineering with a fresh, edgy design, Cupra’s approach is carving out a path of its own. And what better way to experience that spirit than on the track? Hampton Downs provided the perfect setting to fully experience the origin of the brand and push the boundaries of what the cars are capable of in a safe and controlled environment.  

Hampton Downs

Combining a smooth track with tight bends and blind corners, Hampton Downs is the perfect setting for novice drivers to experience Cupra’s performance offerings. Every corner, every straight, and every flick of the steering wheel reminds you that despite Cupra developing these cars for the road, its racing DNA is unmistakable.

On the track we were guided by the seasoned racers from Downforce team, with years of experience under their belts. Their calm and clear guidance turned what could have been a nerve-wracking experience into a whole lot of fun. 

The slalom

We kicked things off with a classic slalom challenge that had us driving a Terramar V 4Drive (Cupra’s compact SUV) through a series of cones, showcase the agility and control of its AWD system. With a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and AWD wheel drive setup, it turned out to be the perfect machine for carving through the cones.

The tyres let out a tortured squeal as we were encouraged to push the car harder, and yet it confidently held its line through the tight turns. For something that sips fuel at just 7.4L/100km, it delivered a gutsy performance that felt far more spirited than imagined. It was a great way to warm up, and the Terramar showed its playful side, proving to be more than just a stylish commuter. 

Drift moooode

We then headed over to the skid pad to experience the thrilling drift mode on the Leon Sportstourer VZ. And yes, it’s exactly as wild as it sounds. Drift mode uses a clever torque splitter in the rear differential to reroute power from the front wheels to the back. The result is a family-friendly performance wagon that suddenly thinks it’s a rear-wheel-drive drift car.

In a car that could easily be used to do the school run, Drift mode feels like a Cupra has let a teenager design the car. As it deactivates the ESC and makes the tail very happy, it’s best to leave it up to the professionals to demonstrate how it worked. Thankfully, the Downforce team were on hand to keep things controlled while we got tossed around in the back seats.

Born for the track

We finally got into the driver’s seat of Formentor VZ and Leon Sportstourer VZ and took them both for a blast around Hampton Downs’ National Circuit. With Downforce’s expert tutelage, we found the correct breaking points for each corner before leaning into the turn, clipping the apex, and accelerating out of using every inch of the track.  

The 7-speed DSG gearbox feels perfectly designed for this kind of performance driving. In Cupra mode, it downshifts late and holds the revs through the corner, so the car stays poised and ready to unleash the raw power the moment you hit the exit. It’s the kind of responsiveness that makes you feel like a pro, even though you’re not. 

The 245kW turbocharged Golf R engine provides unrivalled power and creates an exhaust note that sounds like battle cry. The all-wheel-drive system provides a balanced ride, while the brakes bite hard, giving you the confidence to push deeper into every corner with every lap.

Wrapping up

Cupra’s current offerings deliver serious bang for your buck. While the sharp styling and cutting-edge technology is appealing, the performance is also what draws you in. While the brand is carving out its identity in tough market with tonnes of competition, it’s already found a sweet spot that should appeal to drivers who really understand the fun that can be had with these machines.