Official Formenter and Leon Abt editions announced
Cupra and Abt already have a racing relationship - now it's moving to the showroom
While there have been Cupra models with Abt badges on them in the recent past - most memorably on the old Leon Cupra R wagon - they’ve only existed to denote power kits. A tickle of the venerable 2.0-litre turbo to push power away from 300hp and closer to 400hp, but nothing more than that. Which always made them quite interesting as relatively subtle and very fast cars.
Now the Abt influence will extend further, with an ‘exclusive treatment to intensify their design’. The German company already runs the Cupra Formula E and Extreme E cars alongside the sporty Spaniards, so consider this move a bit of motorsport fairy dust sprinkled on the road car range - for the EV age.
Interestingly, however, the Abt line-up of Cupras will kick off next year with a brace of combustion-powered cars: the Leon and the Formentor. Both have been shown at an event celebrating the collaboration between the two brands, previewing exactly what buyers across the world will be offered come 2026.
Certainly they’re more overt than any previous Abt-tickled Cupra, with a bodykit for both Leon and Formentor comprising front splitter, rear spoiler, side skirts and diffuser. The wheel design is new as well, and available up to 21 inch on the SUV. By the standards of an Abt overhaul the Cupras are reasonably restrained, however, and mostly complementary - rear aero flics might be a bit much.
There’s no word yet on any power bump for either car, though given what the relationship previously conjured up - and the fact that the engine is still in service - it’d be a surprise if the Cupra-Abt Leon and Formentor aren’t any more potent than stock. Especially when they look like this.
“Cupra and Abt have enjoyed an intensive and trusting partnership for many years, which is now being taken to a new level with this cooperation,” said Hans-Jürgen Abt, the firn's CEO. “We are happy to present a customised special edition of the Cupra Formentor and Leon that carries the Abt denomination.” Hopefully more will follow in time, given the current Cupra line-up is pretty good - but could certainly be a tad more memorable. And given the brand’s popularity in the UK, expect the new Cupras to be sold here. On the other hand, if this all seems a tad OTT, there’s one of those old Leons in the classifieds, complete with 350hp - it’s yours for £30k.
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