New Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid PHEV on sale in the UK now
Cupra Formentor line-up expanded with a new plug-in hybrid model, which boasts a pure-electric range of up to 34 miles
Cupra has broadened the Formentor SUV’s engine range with a new plug-in hybrid model. It joins the recently launched 148bhp 1.5-litre base model petrol variant and has a starting price of £38,625.
The Formentor PHEV shares the same turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, electric motor and 13kWh battery pack as the latest Volkswagen Golf GTE. The system has a combined output of 242bhp and 400Nm of torque, which Cupra says is enough for a 0–62mph time of seven seconds and a top speed of 130mph.
The powertrain also delivers a claimed economy figure of up to 188.3mpg and, depending on the specification, the system can provide between 32 and 34 miles of pure-electric range. Cupra also says that the battery pack can be fully recharged in around three and a half hours when connected to a 3.6kW AC charger.
Standard equipment for the VZ1 model includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, scrolling rear indicators and electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors.
Inside, the VZ1 comes with sports seats, a multifunction steering wheel, three-zone climate control and a wireless smartphone charger. Buyers also get the flagship Formentor’s 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch infotainment system, along with a host of safety equipment, such as a dynamic road sign display and high beam assist.
The Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid VZ2 is priced from £40,260 and gets a few more creature comforts, including electrically adjustable and heated sports seats, and a heated steering wheel. Buyers also get a rear-view camera, predictive active cruise control, adaptive dampers and an electronic locking differential.
New Cupra Formentor: trim-levels
Lower down the Formentor’s pecking order, there’s a pair of entry-level specifications, called V1 and V2. Prices start from £27,395 – and standard equipment for the V1 variant includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and rear parking sensors.
Inside, the V1 gets sports seats, a multifunction steering wheel, three-zone climate control and a wireless smartphone charger. It also gets the same 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and 12-inch infotainment system as the VZ1 variant.
V2 models are priced from £29,690 and builds on the V1’s spec with 19-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, a rear-view camera, park assist and leather dashboard upholstery for the car’s dashboard and door cards.
The current Formentor range is topped-off by the VZ3 and VZ Edition models, which add Brembo brakes and a panoramic sunroof respectively. Prices for the top two models start from £42,200 and £43,840. It’s also worth noting that buyers can have the VZ1 and VZ2 trims with conventional combustion engines.
New Cupra Formentor: engines and drivetrains
The entry point to the range uses the Volkswagen Group’s familiar turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It makes 148bhp and 250Nm of torque, and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. Buyers can have a seven-speed DSG for an extra £1,430.
The range-topping Formentor features a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, which produces 306bhp and 400Nm. Drive is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed auto gearbox.
Now that Formentor PHEV has been launched, Cupra can focus its efforts on bringing the SUV’s next variant to market. It’ll use a less powerful version of the flagship’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with an output of 187bhp.
New Cupra Formentor: design and interior
Cupra officials always hinted that the production Formentor’s styling would remain faithful to the concept version we saw at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Indeed, save for some subtle colour changes – the fins in the front bumper are black rather than body coloured, and the alloy wheels now have copper-coloured detailing – the two cars are pretty much identical.
Measuring 4,450mm long and 1,511mm tall, the Formentor is 87mm longer and 104mm lower than the Ateca, lending it a sportier, coupe SUV-like appearance, while flamboyant creases around the wheel arches give a more dramatic look. At the rear, there’s a full width light bar – a feature also seen on the Cupra Leon.
The Leon lends its dashboard design to the Formentor, too. Copper highlights are dotted around the interior and can be found on the stitching on the seat and the door trim, air vent surrounds and steering wheel.
The dash is topped off with a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The display features customisable homepage functions, while touch-sensitive controls for the climate functions sit on a small ridge just below. The infotainment system also gets both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard – the latter of which is able to connect wirelessly.
Click here for our in-depth review of the Cupra Ateca...
