Mr Beast drives the Cupra coming to America

Cupra meets Mr Beast

If you’re aged under 18 – or if you’re a parent – you’ll have heard of Mr Beast. The YouTube star recently got to drive on-track in a Cupra race car, but not everything went according to plan…

Before we get to the story of Mr Beast and his mishap in a Formula E single-seater, let’s start with some background on the Cupra auto brand, a part of the Volkswagen Group that will arrive in America by 2030.

Although Cupra has only been a marque in its own right since 2018, the name has a much longer history. Before standing on its own, Cupra was the performance sub-brand for Seat.

With a name formed from a combination of ‘Cup’ and ‘Racing’, the Cupra badge has been applied to both road and track cars. Here, we profile some of the fastest machines from the Spanish company’s back catalog. Let’s get you fully up to speed.

1996 Seat Ibiza Cupra Kit Car and 1977 Seat 124 Grp. 4

The Cupra story officially starts in 1996. However, Seat had enjoyed some racing success since the 1970s, rallying models such as the Group 4-spec 124 seen here, developed from a Fiat.

However, it was Seat’s entry into the FIA 2.0-liter World Rally Cup that kickstarted the creation of the Cupra brand. Using naturally aspirated front-wheel-drive cars, but with dramatically widened bodywork, the 2-liter Cup was a support act to the regular WRC.

1999 Seat Ibiza Cupra Kit Car

The Ibiza Kit Car proved to be a runaway success on the rally stage, taking three straight Manufacturers’ titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998. This propelled the Ibiza from a leftfield budget hatchback to competition-proven hot hatch.

Victories in the British Rally Championship also ensured the important UK market was aware of the Ibiza Cupra.

1997 Seat Ibiza GTI Cupra Sport 16v

Based on the Mk3 Volkswagen Golf, the second-generation Seat Ibiza featured a GTI version that used the 2.0-liter engine from the German car. With the late-1996 facelift, Seat decided to apply the Cupra badge to a road car to celebrate its WRC success.

The 150hp 16v Ibiza managed 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds and a 134 mph maximum. Although ‘GTI Cupra Sport’ may have been a bit of a mouthful, it marked the first move towards Seat developing a standalone performance brand.

2000 Seat Leon 20VT Cupra

As a product of Volkswagen Group platform-sharing, the first-generation Seat Leon was again able to pluck the best bits from the Golf GTI, then add some Spanish flair. Initially badged as ‘Sport’, it didn’t take long for the Cupra name to be added, while the option of bright yellow paint certainly made this Leon stand out.

Inserting a 180 hp 1.8-liter turbocharged engine into the handsome five-door hatchback resulted in a car that undercut and outperformed its German cousin. European buyers were also given the choice of a 204 hp 2.8-liter VR6 version with all-wheel drive.

2000 Seat Ibiza Cupra

Continuing the theme of yellow paint and a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine, another facelift of the second-generation Ibiza added both in 2000. Swapping the naturally aspirated engine for a boosted one increased power to 156 hp, although performance stayed on par with the previous version.

Where the 1.8 turbo engine scored highly was the ease with which it could be modified for more power, making it a favorite of boy (and girl) racers.

2000 Seat Cordoba Cupra

After the success of the Ibiza in the 2.0-liter division, Seat attacked the full World Rally Championship with a competitor based on the Cordoba coupe. With the WRC of the late 1990s at its most spectacular and competitive, the Cordoba rally car failed to repeat the success of the earlier Ibiza, claiming just a handful of podium places.

Regardless of its lack of wins, Seat still made a Cordoba Cupra road car to celebrate. It shared the same 156 hp 1.8-liter turbo engine as the smaller Ibiza.

2001 Seat Ibiza Cupra R

With the second-generation Ibiza approaching almost a decade in production, Seat rolled out an even quicker Cupra R version. Limited to just 200 examples, the R benefitted from an increase in power to 180 hp, along with 173 lb-ft of torque. This reduced its 0-62 mph time to 7.2 seconds.

Top speed increased to 140 mph, with revised suspension and the addition of Brembo brakes to help keep everything under control. Additional badges and OZ Racing alloy wheels were the only clues to the Cupra R’s extra performance.

2003 Seat Leon Cupra TDI 150

Following the trend for performance diesel hot hatches in Europe created by the Golf GT TDI, Seat slotted the same 1.9-liter TDI engine into the Leon Cupra. Although 150 hp was the headline figure, it was the 236 lb-ft of torque that made the Cupra TDI rapid in the real world.

The promise of 0-62 mph in 8.9 seconds, matched with the potential for 52 mpg, was an attractive option. Just don’t mention those NOx emissions…

2003 Seat Leon Cupra R 225

The range-topping Cupra R debuted in 2002, using the same 1.8-liter turbocharged engine but with power increased to 210 hp. A year later, the ultimate first-generation Leon was created, using the 225 hp tuned engine from the Audi S3.

Although it lacked the Audi’s all-wheel-drive system, the reduced weight made for a more frantic and involving experience. Zero to 62 mph took a tire-scrabbling 6.9 seconds, while top speed was 150 mph.

2004 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8T

After the third-generation Ibiza was launched in May 2002, a revised Cupra version appeared two years later. Predictably, the 1.8-liter turbocharged engine still featured, this time with 180 hp as standard.

In keeping with the times, Seat also launched a diesel Ibiza Cupra, making use of the ubiquitous 1.9-liter TDI unit. This time it had 160 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque, and looked identical to its gasoline-powered brother. Both wore 17-inch wheels and more sculpted bumpers.

2007 Seat Leon Cupra

A shapely new second-generation Leon appeared in 2005, with warm variants found in 2.0-liter TFSI and FR flavors. However, it took until 2007 for a new Leon Cupra to be launched, making use of a 240 hp version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine seen in many other Volkswagen Group cars.

Sports suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and bigger brakes were part of the deal, with high-backed sports seats inside. As the most powerful Seat to date, the new Leon Cupra was a big attraction.

2007 Seat Leon Cupra BTCC racer

Continuing the theme started with the Ibiza Kit Car, Seat ensured that motorsport formed a major part of the second-generation Leon’s CV. In the World Touring Car Championship – where it competed in various guises between 2005 and 2012 – the Leon achieved two manufacturer titles and numerous wins.

In the British Touring Car Championship, Seat Sport UK ran the Leon Cupra for two seasons in 2005 and 2006. Jason Plato, pictured here, took second place in the drivers’ championship both years, while Seat claimed a manufacturers’ title in 2006.

2009 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.4 TSI Bocanegra

When the fourth-generation Ibiza launched in 2008, hot hatch fans didn’t have to wait long. A Cupra and special Bocanegra variant were launched in 2009, the latter wearing a distinctive ‘black nose’ in honor of the Seat 1200 Sport from the 1970s.

Cupra power came from Volkswagen’s 1.4-liter twincharger engine, which used both a turbocharger and a supercharger to produce 180 hp. This motor also saw service in the contemporary Polo GTI and Skoda Fabia vRS, but was beset by problems with excessive oil consumption. A seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox was the only transmission offered.

2010 Seat Leon Cupra R

Sticking with the template established by the first-generation car, the ultimate iteration of the Mk2 Leon Cupra spawned an R version in 2010. As before, adding the uprated engine from the Audi S3 resulted in more power, peaking at 265 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Marked out by additional badging, 19-inch alloy wheels and a chunkier front bumper, the Cupra R also gained Alcantara bucket seats. Zero to 62 mph took just 6.2 seconds, while the top speed had to be limited to 155 mph.

2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 and 280

An arms race between hot hatch manufacturers meant the Cupra version of the new Mk3 Leon needed a substantial power hike. That meant 265 hp for the regular Cupra, with a 280 hp version for those who wanted to go all out. Both used the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine, with choice of manual or DSG auto transmissions.

The option of a three-door ‘Sport Coupe’ Leon, as opposed to just the traditional five-door hatchback, was also new. Both cars were keenly priced, undercutting the less powerful Golf GTI in Europe. Zero to 62 mph times of less than six seconds – regardless of engine tune – also impressed.

2014 Seat Leon Cupra SC Sub 8

No self-respecting hot hatch could be without a lap record at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit, and Seat staked its claim with the third-gen Leon Cupra in 2014. A time of seven minutes 58.4 seconds not only made it the new class leader, but also the first hatchback to dip below the eight-minute mark.

In the UK, you could buy a Cupra with the same specification as the ’Ring machine, including uprated Brembo brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires and some very orange 19-inch alloy wheels. It didn’t get you touring car ace Jordi Gené, who set the record time, though…

2014 Seat Leon Cupra ST

Fast wagons are always popular, but a Sport Tourer version of the Leon Cupra was something of a surprise. Only offered with the high-output 280 hp engine, the added bulk of the ST body meant 0-62 mph in 6.1 seconds. Still, this was sufficient for the Leon Cupra ST to notch up another Nürburging record for the Seat brand.

A huge amount of luggage space with the rear seats folded flat enabled the Cupra ST to do all the usual station wagon stuff – just slightly faster than usual.

2015 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 TSI

Following a facelift in 2013, Seat updated the Ibiza Cupra with a new engine. Ditching the controversial 1.4-liter twincharger unit, a new 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine was shared with the updated Volkswagen Polo GTI.

An extra 12 hp boosted the total to 192 hp, yet it was the 240 lb-ft of torque that changed the driving experience the most. A six-speed manual transmission dispensed with the DSG restrictions, and performance improved – with 0-62 mph now taking just 6.7 seconds.

2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300

Adding more power became an almost yearly occurrence, with a 290 hp Leon Cupra appearing in 2016. With 300 hp now almost mandatory for the fastest of hot hatches, though, it took Seat just a year to endow the Cupra with a further 10 horses. Torque also increased to 280 lb-ft, with the new engine available in all Leon body styles.

The ST wagon also gained the option of all-wheel drive, matched with a standard DSG transmission, pushing it ever closer to its in-house Volkswagen Golf R rival.

2017 Seat Leon Cupra R

True to form, as the years ticked by for the third-generation Leon, the Martorell factory prepared an even more powerful version of the Cupra. Wearing the R badge again, peak power rose by 10 hp to a Golf R-matching 310 hp total. Front-wheel drive means 0-62 mph is pegged at 5.8 seconds, while top speed is 155 mph.

Production of the Cupra R was limited to 799 units worldwide. Widened bodywork and special front and rear bumpers marked out the hottest Leon yet. Copper trim appears on the badge lettering, wing mirrors, 19-inch wheels and even the stitching for the bucket seats.

2018 Seat Leon Cupra R ST

The attention may have been on Cupra as a new sub-brand, but Seat chose to reveal a new Seat-badged car at the launch event. As a final hurrah before Cupra became established in its own right, the send-off was an ST wagon version of the sold-out Cupra R.

2018 Cupra Ateca

How do you kick off a new performance brand in the 21st century? With a hot SUV, of course. Given the popularity of the Seat Ateca in Europe, using it as the basis for the first official Cupra possibly made sense. It also offered plenty of real-estate to host the new tribal tattoo-inspired Cupra logo.

Off-the-shelf VW Group components – a 300 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive and a DSG transmission – helped the Cupra Ateca achieve 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds. A substantial body kit marked it out as no ordinary SUV, while the interior featured plentiful amounts of Alcantara.

2018 Cupra Leon TCR

Seat did not forget its racing origins when creating the Cupra brand. With the Leon having proven competitive under TCR touring car regulations, a Cupra makeover was the logical next step.

An all-electric Cupra e-Racer was also created to compete in the Pure ETCR series, supporting the World Touring Car Championship.

2019 Cupra Ibiza Concept

A concept version of a Cupra Ibiza was shown at the brand launch. Sadly, the hot supermini was put on ice in favor of more SUVs, with no return for the compact hot hatchback.

2020 Cupra Formentor

The Formentor was Cupra’s first standalone car: a coupe-SUV based on the Seat Leon hatchback. It launched as a front-driven plug-in hybrid with 245 hp, or buyers could choose an all-wheel-drive gasoline version with 310 hp. Cupra promised 31 miles of electric range from the PHEV version.

There was plenty of copper trim, of course – including on the dashboard – while the 12.0-inch central touchscreen offered Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

2022 Cupra Born

Named after a fashionable part of Barcelona, the electric Born hatchback is Cupra’s take on the Volkswagen ID.3.

Power options range from 204 hp through to the high-performance 326 hp VZ model. The latter can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 5.6 seconds. All versions use a rear-wheel-drive setup.

Depending on the lithium-ion battery pack chosen, the Cupra Born can cover up to 372 miles when fully charged.

2022 Cupra Formentor VZ5

The limited-edition Formentor VZ5 was launched in 2022. Beneath its hood is an Audi-supplied 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, developing 390 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.

Accelerating from 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds, the Formentor VZ5 can reach 155 mph flat-out. All-wheel drive is standard, along with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.

A set of 20-inch alloy wheels and quad exhaust tailpipes with copper trim mark it out as the top dog in the Cupra family.

2024 Cupra Tavascan

The Cupra Tavascan is the marque’s second all-electric model, sharing the same platform as the Volkswagen ID.5. With SUV coupe styling, it demonstrates the future design language for the Cupra brand.

Power outputs range from 286 hp all the way to 340 hp in VZ specification. The top VZ version features dual electric motors, and can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds.

2025 Cupra Terramar

Destined to be the final gasoline-powered Cupra, the Terramar is the latest crossover SUV to join the range. It features a variety of engine options, combined with mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid technology.

A relative of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Audi Q3, the Terramar is the most spacious Cupra model to date. It could be a contender for one of the first vehicles to launch in North America.

The quickest version of the Terramar features a 265 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Equipped with all-wheel drive, it can accelerate the car to 62mph in 5.9 seconds.

Heading to North America by 2030

Cupra has become one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive brands, with more than 750,000 vehicles sold since 2018. Having launched in Mexico and Australia, the United States is the new target for Cupra – with an aim to start sales by 2030.

The company has entered talks with the Penske Automotive Group and is examining which models would be best suited to North America. Cupra cars for the United States could be produced at one of Volkswagen’s existing North American factories.

With a lengthy history already behind it, Cupra is accelerating towards a new future.

2025 Cupra Leon VZ TCR on track

Touring car racing has become an important pillar of Cupra’s brand identity. And an updated Leon road car means the track version gets a refresh, too.

Using the same chassis as the street-legal Leon VZ, the TCR version sits lower to the ground, and gets a more aggressive aero kit. Suspension, steering and axles are all carried over from the regular Leon, too.

Under the hood, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine stays the same. However, the racing model gets a slight bump in power, up to 340 hp – compared to the 333 hp in the road-going car.

Cupra hits America in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

One of the first outings for the revised Cupra Leon VZ TCR was in North America, with the Gou Racing team entering it into the IMA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

The family-run team, consisting of drivers Eddie and Eduardo Gou, has experience in the Michelin Pilot Challenge, having previously raced an Audi RS 3 LMS during the 2024 season.

In the 2025 season-opening event at Daytona, the Gou Racing Cupra performed well in qualifying, but was taken out by a collision early in the race. The Cupra will be back in action at Sebring, though.

Cupra Kiro racing in Formula E

Cupra has been involved with the Formula E electric single-seater championship since 2022, partnering with the Abt Sportsline outfit. For 2025, however, Cupra has swapped to work with Kiro Race Co.

The livery on the 2025 Porsche 99X Electric WCG3 racer is dominated by Cupra’s trademark copper color, along with a bright green taken from Kiro’s corporate branding. Helpfully, the latter looks like a throwback to Cupra’s hot hatchbacks of the 1990s.

British driver Dan Ticktum and Germany’s David Beckmann will drive the Cupra Kiro racers during the 2024-25 Formula E season.

Mr Beast tests the Cupra Formula E racer

One of the world’s biggest YouTube stars and internet personalities, Mr Beast, got the chance to try out the Cupra Kiro Formula E car.

A special test session, aimed at global influencers, was held at the Miami International Autodrome, with MrBeast – real name James ‘Jimmy’ Donaldson – among them.

The Cupra Kiro Gen3 EVO Formula E car proved too hot to handle for Mr Beast, who spun and crashed on only his second lap when following the safety car.