New Formentor e-Hybrid is pure CUPRA.
New Formentor e-Hybrid is pure CUPRA.
Having been used as a sign of SEAT’s performance-focused cars in the past, CUPRA is now a new brand with its own distinct identity. The new CUPRA Formentor is the Spanish brand’s first bespoke model, with CUPRA’s high-performance values at the very core. The Formentor’s design inside and out is something quite different to what we have seen before, and brings with it a new dimension in style and sophistication. Being part of the Volkswagen Group means that CUPRA has access to cutting-edge mechanicals and technology, and this has enabled the new Formentor midsize coupe-SUV to hit the ground running, so to speak. There is a lot of money and confidence behind the CUPRA brand, and that is evident in the bold product plan promised by the company.
Familiar Underpinnings.
The Formentor sits on the familiar MQB Evo set of chassis components that also underpins other SUVs in the VW Group, such as the SEAT/CUPRA Ateca and VW Tiguan, along with family hatchbacks like the VW Golf and Skoda Octavia. Petrol engine options in the Formentor consist of a 1.5-litre TSI with 150PS and a 2.0-litre TSI unit with 310PS. The 1.5TSI engine is available with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG (automatic) transmission, while the 2.0 TSI comes with a DSG transmission as standard. A 2.0 TDI (Turbo Diesel) EVO engine is available with 150PS and can be mated to a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmission, with the latter coming with 4DRIVE All-Wheel Drive as standard. Additionally, a 1.4-litre e-Hybrid plug-in powertrain (PHEV) is available with a choice of 204PS or 245PS, both of which are mated to a 6-speed DSG transmission with promised fuel consumption as low as 1.2l/100km on a combined WLTP driving cycle. The e-Hybrid offers a pure-electric range of up to 59km, and the 12.8kWh lithium-ion battery can be fully charged (0-100%) in just over 3.5 hours via a 3.6kW domestic wallbox charger, and in around 5 hours via a three-pin domestic socket.
Two Trim Grades.
The Formentor e-Hybrid is available in two trim grades: Formentor and Formentor VZ (named in reference to the Spanish word “Veloz”, meaning “fast”). Key standard equipment across both trim grades includes Full LED headlamps and Daytime Running Lights, rear ‘coast to coast’ lights with welcome ceremony, front fog lamps with cornering function, heat-insulated and tinted rear windows, leather-wrapped multi-function heated sports steering wheel, dark aluminium glossy interior package, textile sport seats, keyless unlocking and ignition system, a 10.25” Digital Cockpit, a 12” Navi System with voice control, DAB radio, CONNECT Online infotainment (included for 1 year), wireless phone charger, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with Mirrorlink, four USB-C charging sockets, rain and light sensor, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, park assist, rear view camera, Drive Profile Selection, and auto high-beam assist, along with a suite of advanced safety systems. Additional standard equipment in VZ grade includes 19” Exclusive alloy wheels, aluminium foot pedals, CUPRA bucket seats, Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), and a ‘Safe & Driving Pack’. The Formentor VZ e-Hybrid also benefits from an increased power output of 245PS from the 1.4-litre PHEV powertrain.
Test Car Details.
My test car was a CUPRA Formentor e-Hybrid 1.4 TSI 204PS which was finished in stylish Magnetic Tech metallic paint with optional 19” machined alloy wheels in Sport Black Matt/Silver for an added dose of visual drama. Other optional extras fitted to my test car included blue leather upholstery, black roof cloth, and a top view camera. Producing 201bhp (204PS) and 350Nm of torque, the petrol/electric powertrain propels the Formentor from a standing start to 100km/h in just 7.8-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 205km/h. The wrap-around ambient lighting strip (with multiple colour options) that adorns the dashboard at the base of the windscreen and into the door trim not only looks fantastic, but it also acts as a blind-spot indicator by illuminating in orange near the door mirrors when there is something in your blind-spot. The slick gear selector uses shift-by-wire technology which results in smooth and unobtrusive gear change functionality. The seats are comfortable and supportive, with ample side support and excellent adjustability, and the driver’s seat comes with a memory function with two settings. The seating position is low, as is the base of the windscreen, so you feel like you sit much closer to the road – as you would in a performance-focused car. Selectable driving modes in the Formentor consist of Comfort, Sport and Individual with each mode bringing a greater degree of aggression and engine noise that gets pumped through the cars speakers. Cabin space in the Formentor is excellent, with adults over six foot tall still able to sit comfortably in the rear seats. You could even sit three abreast thanks to the shallow transmission tunnel. The boot capacity of 345-litres in the Formentor e-Hybrid can be expanded by dropping the rear seatbacks, allowing for even greater practicality when called upon. The Formentor scored a full five star rating in its Euro NCAP crash test, thanks in part to standard safety systems such as lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, predictive cruise control and driver alert warning. The car’s taut suspension keeps body lean to an absolute minimum in corners, and overall driving dynamics are exceptional. The steering is suitably light and this, along with the standard front & rear parking sensors and rear-view camera, makes car park manoeuvres easy to negotiate.
Verdict & Pricing.
The new CUPRA Formentor e-Hybrid is a highly commendable and very worthwhile addition to the Formentor model range. Pricing for the new CUPRA Formentor starts at €41,630 for the 1.5 TSI 150PS, with my e-Hybrid test car specification priced from €49,300 (or €52,407 with the optional extras fitted). Prices quoted include delivery and related charges, along with a CUPRA Care Plan to include a 3-year CUPRA Service Plan, complimentary CUPRA courtesy car, complimentary collection & delivery, and a complimentary clean.
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