Spanish car brand Cupra will be launching three petrol-powered models in Singapore: the Leon hatchback and two sport utility vehicles (SUVs) – the Formentor and Terramar – on July 31.

These are the first non-electric models to be introduced since Volkswagen Group Singapore announced that it was taking over the distributorship of the brand here in 2023.

The Leon is the most familiar nameplate among the three, having been available here before Cupra was spun off as an independent brand from Volkswagen-owned Spanish brand Seat in 2018. The latest model is powered by a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid engine.

At 4,451mm long, the facelifted Cupra Formentor VZ is broadly a rival to the BMW X2. It has a 2-litre turbocharged engine rated at 328hp and 440Nm of torque, giving the SUV a 0-100kmh timing of 4.8 seconds.

The Formentor is the first model to be developed as a Cupra-only model without a Seat-branded equivalent. It was offered in pre-facelift form between 2021 and 2023 by the brand’s previous representative in Singapore. The updated version features the brand’s more aggressive design, similar to the flamboyant Tavascan electric vehicle.

The Terramar is slightly lower and longer overall than the Volkswagen Tiguan. The version to be offered in Singapore is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with mild-hybrid technology.