Cupra was officially launched as a standalone brand in 2018, though its history is closely tied to SEAT, the Spanish car manufacturer.
Before becoming its own entity, Cupra was originally the high-performance sub-brand of SEAT, responsible for creating sportier, performance-focused versions of SEAT models. The name "Cupra" is derived from "Cup Racing," reflecting its motorsport heritage and performance emphasis. SEAT had been producing Cupra-branded vehicles as early as the late 1990s with models like the SEAT Ibiza Cupra and SEAT León Cupra.
In 2018, SEAT spun off Cupra into a separate brand, focusing exclusively on delivering high-performance vehicles with a more premium and distinctive design language. Since then, Cupra has been developing its own range of cars, including models like the Cupra Ateca, Cupra Formentor, and Cupra Born (its first electric vehicle).