Cupra Formentor SUV: Performance and Design Excellence
Not long ago, the Seat Leon Cupra was the front-wheel-drive performance car to beat around Germany’s treacherous Nürburgring Nordschleife. This Spanish-built vehicle, available as both a hatchback and wagon, could lap the famed track in just under eight minutes. However, the competition is fierce, and it didn’t take long for the likes of the Honda Civic Type R, Renault Megane RS, and Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport to surpass the Leon Cupra at this iconic racing venue. Riding the publicity wave from its Nürburgring record, Seat introduced the Cupra name as a standalone performance brand in 2018, unveiling the Formentor SUV as its inaugural model.
Design and Features of the Cupra Formentor
While it’s true that the Cupra brand made its initial appearance with a sportier variant of the Seat Ateca SUV, the Formentor stands out as the first model crafted from the ground up by Cupra. Named after a scenic cape on the Spanish island of Mallorca, the Formentor possesses impressive dimensions, measuring 175.2 inches in length and 72.4 inches in width, making it comparable to the Subaru Crosstrek, but with significantly more power.
Powertrain Performance
The Formentor boasts a top-performing powertrain: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with all-wheel drive for enhanced traction and performance. In contrast, the Subaru Crosstrek is reportedly upgrading to a more modest 170-horsepower engine.
Hybrid Capability
Moreover, for eco-conscious drivers, Cupra offers the Formentor with a plug-in hybrid option. This setup combines a 148-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 114-hp electric motor, delivering a combined output of 241 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 13-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack ensures an all-electric driving range of roughly 31 miles, depending on the European test cycle. Additionally, the Cupra Formentor will feature level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities, showcasing its advanced technological offerings.
Aesthetics and Arrival
Design-wise, the Formentor features copper accents and an angular LED light signature that aligns with the established Cupra brand aesthetics. Its profile is particularly striking, characterized by a steeply raked liftgate and a sharply raised daylight opening at the C-pillar. The first Cupra Formentor SUVs are set to be delivered in the last quarter of 2020. Although availability in the U.S. market may be limited, the innovations introduced with the Formentor could influence other Volkswagen Group vehicles available in North America.
