Monday 20th May 2019

Cupra Formentor confirmed with 245hp: Update!

New Spanish SUV is expected with a 1.5-litre triple at its PHEV heart

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UPDATE - 21.05.2019

Cupra has revealed the first dynamic images of its upcoming Formentor along with confirmation that its plug-in hybrid powertrain will produce 245hp. While we’re not given further technical details, that output adds fuel to expectation that the VW Group’s latest 1.5-litre triple ‘Evo’ motor will be at the Formentor’s heart, coupled to a DSG auto gearbox and working in tandem with an electric motor.

An all-electric range of 31 miles is claimed for the system, ranking the Spanish SUV directly alongside the Golf GTE - which makes sense, because it is expected to share its powertrain with the hatch. Cupra is marketing the Formentor as a plusher, sportier offering than anything Seat will offer to this segment, hence the sharper design features. But the Seat connection is definitely there, particularly at the model’s front, while the integration of a light bar at the back is somewhat routine for VW Group SUVs.

There are no new images of the cabin to add to the one computer generated picture that was released in February (see story below). That shot confirmed the interior will make use of VW Group architecture (obviously), with a central infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. Expect there to be soft touch dash materials and leather seat trim in order to justify an inevitably higher list price than we’re used to from a Seat performance offshoot. On that note, any guesses as to what the price will be?

ORIGINAL STORY - 22.02.2019

For those who've struggled with the idea that Cupra is now a separate brand to Seat, maybe the launch of its first standalone model will help. Called the Formentor, it's a new crossover that still uses the VW Group's ubiquitous MQB architecture but gets bespoke styling, as well as a plug-in hybrid powertrain developing 245hp.

The concept - a production version is due to reach roads in 2020 - is headed to the Geneva motor show and takes influence from the Seat 20V20 crossover that was shown there four years ago. It's a tauter, more aggressive shape than that of the Ateca, with a swooping rear roofline and raked rear window. Cupra has optimistically tagged it a coupe-crossover - but don't expect that to catch on.

Compared to the Ateca, the Formentor - which gets its name from a peninsula of Majorca - looks slightly smaller, with a lower ride height and slimmer glass house, although the front angle suggests it could actually have wider tracks. We'd guess that the more conventionally-shaped Ateca will remain the most spacious model in Cupra's line-up, however, with the Formentor's cabin combining familiar VW Group tech with bronze highlights.

As to what capacity the car's powertrain is, we're yet to learn. The plug-in VW Golf GTE combined a 1.4-litre engine with its electric gubbins, but that 205hp setup is expected to be superseded by a new one that uses a 1.5-litre triple 'Evo' motor - something we'd assume would be integrated into the Formentor as well. Either way, Cupra said the concept gets a DSG gearbox and can do 30 miles on pure electric power. That's all we have for now, but more is likely to come when the Formentor makes its public debut in Geneva in a couple of weeks.

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[GTEYE]

Looks like a pretty generic SUV, not bad looking but nothing particularly special.

I can’t help but think “Tormentor” - the name seems rather strange - added to Cupra as the brand will leave the public rather perplexed as to what you’ve bought.

[Johnnytheboy]

I thought this might be something interesting, but it's an MQB-based crossover.

[Evercross]

Silly name and looks like a Mazda CX-5.

[sh33n]

simonbamg said:

why didn't they make it a nice sensible estate with a slightly lower center of gravity

Because they already have....
https://www.evo.co.uk/seat/leon-cupra/18855/seat-l...

[DaveTheRave87]

Johnnytheboy said:

I thought this might be something interesting, but it's an MQB-based crossover.

Likewise. That's disappointing.

[matpilch]

It's telling that the first offering of a sporty sub-brand is a SUV.

[900T-R]

matpilch said:

It's telling that the first offering of a sporty sub-brand is a SUV.

It's the first bespoke offering, but they already have the Cupra Ateca - which begs the question what the h*ll they are aiming at with the Cupra brand.

[Johnnytheboy]

900T-R said:

It's the first bespoke offering, but they already have the Cupra Ateca - which begs the question what the h*ll they are aiming at with the Cupra brand.

People that want their crossovers "sportier".

[Baldchap]

So Cupra as a 'brand' is a waste of time then.

[Turbobanana]

GTEYE said:

I can’t help but think “Tormentor”.

Fornicator.

Fermenter.

[JackReacher]

For this brand to sustain itself and hopefully produce more interesting cars, it will need to sell some volumn, and SUVs provide the best opportunity, so that's not a surprise.

Hopefully sales of those will allow for more interesting driver focused cars, which will never sell as well as SUVs.

I do sometimes wonder whether people expect manufacturers to be a charity to the 1% of the new car buying population who want lightweight driver focused cars, producing bespoke cars at a loss to satisfy our needs.

[alorotom]

Evercross said:

Silly name and looks like a Mazda CX-5.

Thats all I can see when I look at it!

[TNH]

Has some Lamborghini esque styling cues at the back but otherwise nothing special to look at.

I see Cupra are persisting with the boring, drab Seat approach to interiors (other than the seats, which look ok).

[Harry_523]

Johnnytheboy said:

900T-R said:

It's the first bespoke offering, but they already have the Cupra Ateca - which begs the question what the h*ll they are aiming at with the Cupra brand.

People that want their crossovers "sportier".

so more like a "car" then:

https://sniffpetrol.com/2014/05/20/nissan-announce...

[SpeckledJim]

Do VW Group think they would sell fewer cars overall if they just switched Seat (and Cupra) off?

What are they for, which isn't already covered in the group?

Who says "I don't want any of the MQB products, not a single one, so I'm going to buy a Ford or a Peugeot...oh, hang on, what's that amazing Seat over there...?"

[dazwalsh]

It dors have more than a passing resemblance to a cx5 at the front and a kia sportage at the rear however i quite like it.

[Catatafish]

Turbobanana said:

Fornicator.

Fermenter.

+1 VAG group names sink to even lower levels of turd

[Melchett1905]

Looks like a Sportage from the back. Not that it's a bad thing.

[fernando the frog]

looks alright, i hate the badge design they chose though, looks like those lame transformer badges people stick on their cars

[GTEYE]

900T-R said:

It's the first bespoke offering, but they already have the Cupra Ateca - which begs the question what the h*ll they are aiming at with the Cupra brand.

The brand will be gone in 5 years or less....and possibly taking Seat with it. What exactly is their purpose within the Group? Audi, VW and Skoda cover all of Seat’s market....and their offerings are arguably all better than Seats.

It does seem to be the poor relative in the family.