Cupra Formentor Gets Aggressive New Look

Key facts

• Petrol, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options
• 328bhp VZ petrol variant
• 62-mile range eHybrid variant
• Aggressive shark styling
• 12.9-inch touchscreen

Exterior

The Formentor now has a “shark-nose” front end with triangular LED headlights and a large lower grille. The Cupra badge sits proudly between sharp bonnet lines and a thin air intake.

This new predatory design language mirrors the styling that debuted on the forthcoming Cupra Tavascan. The latest Cupra Leon has also received the same design upgrades.

At the back, there are triangular tail lights with a full-width LED lightbar and an illuminated logo. Drivers have the choice between 18 and 19-inch alloy wheels, plus eight paint colours.

Interior

Inside, there’s a new 12.9-inch infotainment screen, replacing the previous 12-inch unit. Cupra says its new infotainment interface is easier to use than before.

Below the screen is a pair of touch-sensitive sliders that control volume and heating – these sliders are now backlit for better nighttime visibility.

Cupra has upgraded the interior quality by adding new materials to the dashboard and seats. A 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system also arrives as a new optional extra.

Engines

The updated Formentor will be available in petrol, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The TSI petrol variant has a 1.5-litre engine that delivers 148bhp to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The eTSI mild-hybrid option includes the same engine with a seven-speed DSG and a small 48-volt electric motor to improve efficiency and provide start-stop assistance.

Buyers can also choose an all-wheel drive petrol Formentor with a 2.0-litre engine and seven-speed DSG auto transmission that delivers 201bhp.

Moving up the range, the VZ petrol models provide the most power. The first has 261bhp with front-wheel drive, while the second has 328bhp with all-wheel drive. Both come with the 2.0-litre engine and auto transmission.

The more potent 328bhp VZ has a special Drift mode, optional six-piston Akebono brakes and torque splitter tech that improves cornering traction.

Completing the line-up are two plug-in hybrid models that use a 1.5-litre petrol engine for either a 201bhp or 268bhp output.

The plug-in models now feature a bigger 19.7kWh battery. This upgrade gives the Formentor eHybrid at least 62 miles of pure electric driving. What's more, the eHybrid’s maximum charging speed has increased to 11kW when topping up from home and 50kW when using a DC rapid charger on the road.

Release date & pricing

The facelifted Formentor is due to go on sale later this year. Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but expect the entry-level petrol model to cost around £35,000.

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