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Photos by Cupra (Seat Sport SA)
Avesta is a small, tranquil town around 180 kilometers northwest of the Swedish capital Stockholm. The largest wooden horse ("Dala horse") in the world is here and there is a coin museum. Here, in this area, Mattias Ekström grew up - the racing driver who successfully set out into the world to claim victories and trophies. Two times DTM champion. Rallycross world champion. Dakar participant. And this year at the start with CUPRA in Extreme E. Ekström's parents Agneta and Bengt still live in Avesta. So what could be more obvious for the adventurous Filius than to start his new challenge right here? It's time for the Arctic Adventure.
Challenge? Fun!
Ekström is traveling through Sweden for three weeks in the 228 kW (310 PS) CUPRA Formentor (fuel consumption petrol, combined: 7,7 l / 100 km; CO2 emissions, combined: 175 g / km; CO2 efficiency class: D) * and in the far north of Finland. Minus degrees. Icy streets and impressive natural spectacles. Exciting challenges lie ahead of Ekström. The expectations are high: "Anyone who knows me knows that I am not afraid of any challenge and that I always want to have fun“, Says Ekström. "My Arctic Adventure with CUPRA is the perfect combination of both."
Before you start your journey, there is a lot on the program in Avesta. After all, mother Agneta and father Bengt want to put their son Mattias' company car through its paces. And what could be better than a trip on the frozen lake on which Mattias made his first attempts at driving at the tender age of 13? Then as now, Ekström is convinced that you don't need a tuned car to have fun on an ice lake. The CUPRA Formentor is the proof.
Ekström helped develop the Formentor
Papa Bengt skilfully glides the all-wheel drive crossover made of SUV and coupé across the lake. He knows how to do it. In 1990 he was third in the European Rallycross Championship. The racing gene comes out. Everything looks playfully easy and relaxed with the Formentor. Mattias also has a role in this. With his experience and knowledge, he has contributed to the fact that knowledge from racing has flowed into the production of CUPRA's series vehicles - also in the last development phase of the CUPRA Formentor.
Mama Ekström turns donuts
After a few laps, Bengt nods approvingly, raises his thumb and lets Mama Agneta take the wheel. And it immediately shows what it's made of. Spurred on by her son, after a short time she was turning masterful donuts on the ice, even Mattias was amazed. And when getting out of the car, one thing is clear to Agneta: "This CUPRA is cool, I want one too“, Says the 70-year-old and looks over at Mattias meaningfully. Mission understood.
Ekström meets sports stars
In addition to visiting his parents, Ekström's program includes meetings with the Swedish sports greats Daniel Bodin (snowmobile) and Frida Hansdotter (alpine skiing). And then there is still a special encounter waiting. A training session with the Thai and kickboxer Madeleine Vall. The Swedish CUPRA brand ambassador demands everything from Ekström and the 42-year-old looks at the clock in disbelief several times during the short training session. He is very happy when they swap roles in the afternoon and he can show Vall at the wheel of the CUPRA Formentor where he has his right hook. The 36-year-old also dares to take the wheel and is much more talented than Ekström before in the gym.
Off to the north ...
With a lot of sore muscles, Ekström heads north the next day. The destination is Jokkmokk, 1.000 kilometers away. Ekström covers the distance in the CUPRA Formentor in two days, at temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius - both during the night and during the day. Starting problems? Nothing. Dropouts? None. "It is impressive how the Formentor copes with the extreme weather conditions“, Says Ekström. "And the comfort on the long journeys, coupled with the safe driving experience and the sportiness, absolutely won me over."
Back to the roots
In Jokkmokk, Ekström and his team are preparing for a start in the World Rally Championship. A few days later, the veteran competed against the world's best rally drivers for the first time in 15 years at the Arctic Rally Finland in Rovaniemi - the official home of Santa Claus. "Driving on snow and ice in the border area is very good training for me and my Extreme E challenge, which I am tackling with CUPRA this year“, Says Ekström. "As a racing driver, there is no better school than driving in such wintry conditions."
Highlight the northern lights
Ekström doesn't have much time to breathe. The very next day, the CUPRA Formentor's steering wheel continues northwards. In northern Lapland he looks for and finds the northern lights. The luminous phenomena in the sky, which can only be observed on a few clear winter nights, silence the otherwise lively Ekström for a moment. He reverently admires the breathtaking spectacle and looks into the magical play of colors over the polar sky. Although it looks like you can grab them with your hands, the Northern Lights form at an altitude of over 100 kilometers. "I've seen a lot in my life, but that's always a highlight without question“, Says Ekström.
Got to the dog
But Ekström wouldn’t be Ekström if he wasn’t racing again the next morning. This time not with horse strength, but with sled dog strength. Six thoroughbred huskies pull the Swede in the snow and it quickly becomes clear that the four-legged friends do what they want with the racing driver. It's still fun. Only the weather causes problems for the huskies. They perceive -5 degrees Celsius as midsummer. 20 degrees colder and they would last longer. While they are taking a breather, Ekström takes a lap in the CUPRA Formentor with sled dog handler Lauri Kytöharju. He is Finnish through and through: not a word too much, an honest smile at the end of the journey. You couldn't get more compliments than this - for this combination of driver and vehicle.
Cold, colder, ice hotel
A stay in Northern Lapland would not be complete without an overnight stay in an ice hotel. Ekström had this idiosyncratic idea when he got it into his head to check in at the Snow Village in Kittilä, a community 150 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Said and done. Room temperature: -5 degrees Celsius. Ekström is wrapping himself up thickly. Long underwear. Multiple. Various additional layers of clothing. And above all a polar sleeping bag. This is how you survive this challenge.
While the Swede spends the night in the igloo, the CUPRA Formentor is once again outside. -22 degrees Celsius. It is the coldest night during the Arctic Adventure. A little sleepy and slightly shivering, Ekström stepped out into the fresh air the next morning. Once in the car, he first turns on the heated seats. And his loyal companion does not disappoint him. "It was a great experience, but I've slept better“, Admits Ekström. "EI won't need a night like this again anytime soon."
He says and slowly makes his way back to Avesta. At the end of the three weeks he covered 3.900 kilometers with the CUPRA Formentor. Without any breakdown. No surprise for him: "CUPRA attaches great importance to quality. This can be seen in motorsport, but also in the production vehicles“, Says Ekström. After this adventure, the Swede longs for his own bed. One or two quiet nights, then the preparations for Extreme E begin with CUPRA. Before he goes home to his family, he quickly does one last task: ordering a CUPRA Formentor for his mother Agneta.
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