Production will be limited to 7,000 units.
SEAT’s independent brand Cupra celebrates its third anniversary with its most powerful road vehicle yet. The Formentor sports crossover was designed from the ground up as a Cupra model. It borrows the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that Audi uses for several RS-badged compact cars such as the RS Q3 or TT RS.
Inline-five units produce 385 horsepower (287kilowatts) as well as 480 Newton-meters (354-pound-feet), in the new Formentor Z5. The RS Q3 has the same torque output as the inline-five unit, but the engine produces a little more horsepower in the Audis with 394 hp (294kW). The new Cupra is available with all-wheel drive as well as a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The Formentor’s new crown jewel completes the 0-60 mph (100 km/h run) in 4.2 seconds. This is three-tenths faster than the RS Q3. Electronically, both can reach speeds of 155 mph (250 km/h). The maximum horsepower is at 5,700 rpm, while the maximum torque can be found at 2,250 rpm.
The Formentor, a 306-horsepower Formentor riding on custom 20-inch wheels with larger brakes from behind, sits 10 millimeters (0.4inches) closer to the road. To match the alloy wheels, there are 18-inch six-piston Akebono brakes finished in copper. A unique feature of the VZ5 is the quad-stacked exhaust tips, similar to Lexus F models. They flank a more aggressive rear diffuser.
Only 7,000 units will be produced and they will all be left-hand drive. Cupra will open order books for the last quarter of the year. Pricing is yet to be revealed. The Formentor VZ2.0 TSI in Spain starts at EUR44,000. So the VZ5 could reach EUR60,000.
Despite the likely price increase, it won’t be comparable to the Audi RS Q3 which is available in Espana starting at EUR73,790. Because the Formentor VZ5 is not widely available, the Volkswagen Group doesn’t seem to be too concerned about Cupra models threatening sales of the RSQ3.