First Drive: Cupra’s Formentor VZ5 arrives as a true flagship model

What is it?

Cupra is a brand which has quickly risen through the ranks. While it’s easy to think of this Spanish brand in relation to its former role as a sub-brand of Seat, now Cupra has established itself in its own right as a producer of cars that have a sportier take on things, as well as a lot of flair in the styling department.

As something of a celebration, Cupra has equipped its popular Formentor crossover with the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine that you’d usually find in the potent Audi RS3. While Cupra did do this beforehand, those early models never made their way to the UK. Now, however, some examples will be heading to these shores, albeit in limited numbers.

What’s new?

Obviously, the big change here is the fitment of that engine, but there are some subtle tweaks going on elsewhere. It’s inside where you’ll now find ultra-supportive bucket seats, while outside you’ve got wider wheel arches and a redesigned front bumper for a racier appearance.

The Cupra Formentor VZ5 is going to be a rare sight, mind you. Just 4,000 units are going to be produced in total and even though it’s now being made in right-hand-drive form for the first time, only 250 are expected to head to the UK. It’s got the hallmarks of a cult classic, that’s for sure. Oh, and with each expected to cost in the region of £60,000, it’s set to be one of Cupra’s most expensive models to date.

What’s under the bonnet?

Of course, much of that price tag is going into the changes under the bonnet. That 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine which previously had a home in the Audi RS3 remains potent in this Cupra, bringing 385bhp and 480Nm, resulting in a 0-60mph time of four seconds and a top speed of 174mph. It’s all driven through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, too, while a clever torque splitter twitch dual clutches allows power to be split between the rear wheels for added stability in the corners.

There have been some mechanical upgrades elsewhere, too. The whole car sits 10mm lower than the standard Formentor, while the fitment of Adaptive Chassis Control – or DCC – means that you can toggle between 15 different levels of damping depending on the driving situation. There’s even a dedicated Drift Mode for tyre-shredding performance, when the conditions allow for it, of course.

What’s it like to drive?

There’s something quite naughty about the Cupra Formentor VZ5. Jump behind the steering wheel and, bucket seats aside, you could be sitting in a ‘regular’ version of Cupra’s popular crossover. That all changes when you get on the move, mind you, and as that engine eases up, it brings a huge amount of performance. It’s a shame that the engine note feels a touch muted, but the acceleration and boost are definitely both there in spades.

There’s plenty of grip, too, and you can really lean on the Formentor through the bends. There’s a nice bit of weight to the steering, too, yet around town it feels just as easy to drive as the regular car. Upgraded brakes with six-piston calipers help to bring an extra level of stopping power, too, which is much welcomed given this car’s increase in pace.

How does it look?

Cupra has actually kept things quite low-key with the VZ5. Sure, its stance on the road looks sportier compared with a standard car, but in many areas it mirrors the regular Formentor. That can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your tastes; those after something undercover yet sporty will love the VZ5’s lack of flamboyant features, though drivers who would like their ultra-limited car to speak a little louder might be disappointed.

That said, the Formentor has – to our eyes – always been a smart-looking car and that remains the same for the VZ5. Some drivers may just want a little extra fun from the way it looks.

What’s it like inside?

It’s a similar story inside, too. Dinamica-trimmed bucket seats come equipped as standard, while more performance-orientated Cup bucket chairs are available as an option. Whichever you go for, they provide a lot of support and help to change the way you interact with the car. Aside from these, it’s all pretty straightforward Formentor with a large central screen dominating the whole area. You do get brushed aluminium elements with Cupra’s signature copper touches, too, while the pedals are finished in dark aluminium.

Rear-seat space isn’t bad either, though those bucket seats do eat into legroom. Overall, it’ll still be a very usable crossover, meaning that this high-powered model could still be used for more ‘regular’ journeys, should you need it to.

What’s the spec like?

At a predicted £60,000, the Cupra Formentor VZ5 certainly isn’t cheap. In fact, for that amount, you could be looking at a variety of options; Volkswagen’s Golf R delivers a similar level of performance for significantly less, though it can’t quite match the Cupra’s engine capacity with its 2.0-litre engine. However, with such a limited number coming to the UK, you could say that the Formentor VZ5 will hold its price and, in the future, there’s a good chance that these models could be quite sought-after.

Regardless, Cupra has equipped the VZ5 with plenty of equipment as standard. You get a 10.25-inch driver display and 12-inch infotainment systems, as well as a 12-speaker sound system from Sennheiser. As in the standard Formentor, the VZ5’s screen feels a little muddled to be used easily, while the slider-style buttons installed underneath it aren’t as intuitive as you’d like.

Verdict

With potentially just 250 examples coming to the UK, the Cupra Formentor VZ5 certainly isn’t going to shake the market up. However, it shows a certain level of intent from the Spanish brand and it’s a car which has been well executed and finished pleasantly.

It’s a mark of confidence in itself that Cupra has produced this fire-breathing version of the Formentor and while not many are coming to the UK, those lucky enough to get the keys to one are unlikely to be disappointed.