Driving Torque

It's All About The Motors.

Driving Torque

This is the YouTube page for Driving Torque - Articles, reviews and opinions about cars and all things automotive.
Go to www.drivingtorque.com

Driving Torque
Review by Ben Harrington from Driving Torque of the Suzuki Jimny SZ5
Suzuki Jimny Review
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_tBEwl0WmNRw
Watch as a Model X performs its Celebration Mode Easter egg in the snow
Tesla Model X Celebration Mode
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_Z04UK1MRXjE
This is what the exhaust tail pipe of a Ford Focus RS sounds and looks like when you accelerate quickly.
2017 Ford Focus RS Exhaust
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_QkKOE0J4baE
Another gratuitous exhaust video for you. This time it's the behemoth that is the Mercedes GL63 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG exhaust sounding immense
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_S7TdJrBe8aw
This is a Porsche Cayman in Sport Plus mode with a Sports exhaust, showing the exhaust revving and moving as the car is put through its paces. Great footage of over-run and even the heat haze from the hot engine.
Porsche Cayman PDK Sport Plus
YouTube Video UCOtVdrU-nsf_4BZwMKZ08NA_8l_WTgJB0sk
Subscribe
  • Home
  • About
  • Ben’s Car CV
  • DTQ Partners
  • Contact

Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid Review – Cupra’s first exclusive model fits many bills

September 2, 2021 by benharrington Leave a Comment

Cupra Formentor

Seat has slapped a Cupra (Cup Racing) badge on their performance models for decades now, and on the whole they’ve held up well to scrutiny. It made perfect sense, then, to take advantage of an established reputation when launching a stand-alone performance line; Cupra is now more than a spec, it’s a brand. They may have lost their Seat badges but the Cupra range still includes Leons and Atecas. This, however, is the first Cupra that you can’t buy with a Seat badge and it’s called the Formentor.

Formentor?

Ok – Formentor isn’t the snappiest name we’ve ever heard. Say it quickly and it sounds like it’s into home brewing, but as is usual for Seat, sorry – Cupra, it’s a region of Spain. Looks-wise the Formentor is fairly out on its own. The line between SUV, estate car and hatchback are about as blurred as we’ve come across. But that’s definitely part of the initial attraction. Being a Cupra, it’s got an angular, aggressive air about it. Combine this with its smorgasbord of potential body shape labels and it grabs attention. I’ve not driven many new cars that have made people ask after its identity the Formentor did, but there’s obviously still some mystery attached to the copper badge too.

Anyone who’s sat inside a new Seat recently will be familiar with the Formentor’s interior layout and technology – a bespoke interior would be taking things a bit far. That said, all Formentors come with sports seats and you can even spec them in a natty petrol blue leather should you want. There’s copper stitching and matte copper highlights spread liberally around the cabin; not real copper, obviously and it can be hard to make copper coloured plastic look genuine.

More attitude

The difference in attitude between accessible Seats and performance orientated Cupras is clear when you open the door; there’s no ‘Hola’ puddle lamps – you get that sharp, almost violent looking Cupra logo illuminating the ground instead. The rear doors aren’t the first word in accessibility but once you’re in, there’s plenty of room in the back seats.

What specs does it come in?

The Formentor comes as either a V trim or a VZ trim; the latter being the higher powered versions. V spec Formentors then get a number 1 or 2 – 1 being the cheaper – VZ specs get a 1, 2 or even a 3. Not the simplest range to get your head around, admittedly, but if you remember that V1 are the lowest spec and VZ3 are the highest, that makes things a tad easier to understand.

Internal combustion if you wish……

Powering your V-spec Formentor is pure internal combustion in the shape of either a 1.5 TSI, 148bhp petrol engine or a 2.0 TSI with 188bhp. The 1.5 litre engine powers the front wheels and comes with a manual or DSG transmission, the 2.0 is DSG only, as well as 4WD. Go for a VZ spec and it’s the same 2.0 litre engine with either 243 bhp or 307bhp – that essentially makes it a Golf R underneath.

……..or hybrid

It may come as no surprise that you don’t have to run your Formentor on fossil fuel alone, though. There’s also the Formentor e-Hybrid; a plug-in hybrid that combines a 1.4 litre petrol engine and an electric motor. Specs are V1 & V2 that come with 202bhp, then there’s the VZ1 & VZ2 specs that get 243bhp. Both have the DSG ‘box providing drive to the front wheels only.

How much is the Formentor?

This is the VZ2 spec e-Hybrid version of the low-slung SUV. The cheapest Formentor will cost you £28,270, this one is £40,260, and that’s a subtle difference. If that price makes the eyes water slightly, you can have an e-Hybrid Formentor for £36,170, it just won’t be as well equipped and might not be quite as much fun.

How far is the electric range?

One advantage of the lower powered hybrid Formentors is their increased electric range. This VZ version manages a claimed 34 miles without calling on the petrol engine, the V spec could save you some range anxiety related stress with its claimed 36 miles range. Downsides to having a hybrid? Well, there’s the price, obviously, but you also lose nearly 100 litres of boot space (345l) to accommodate the electrics. You also get some pretty nasty fake exhausts at the back.

Get yourself settled into the Formentor’s impressively comfortable driver’s seat and you’ll be staring down the length of a reassuringly macho bonnet bulge. If you bought your Formentor because it’s an SUV, the next thing you’ll probably notice is that you’re not actually sat that high up. That’s the thing with the Formentor – it’s a coupe SUV really and it’s more about performance than lording it over lesser mortals.

Start the Formentor and it defaults to electric only mode – standard for hybrids. That’s fine but if you want it to run in hybrid mode you have to flick through a couple of screens which inevitably gets interrupted when the system diverts to CarPlay or Android Auto.

Is the Formentor a stiff ride?

Once you’re actually on your way, though, the Formentor feels well set up. Not overly stiff or jiggly, just as if some real attention has been paid to satisfying handling. Yes, there could be a bit more feel to the steering, but this isn’t a roadster after all, it’s a family car. There’s a very tempting button on the steering wheel with an illuminated Cupra logo on it. Press it – and you will – and the suspension firms up, suspension which is specially set up to handle the extra weight of the Formentor e-Hybrid’s electrical gubbins. You’ll also get some engine noise piped into the cabin – it definitely doesn’t come from the 1.4 litre, four-cylinder under the bonnet but it all adds to the effect.

And how quick is it?

Performance is sprightly without being explosive. 0-62mph comes around in 7.0 seconds – only the VZ spec petrol Formentors will beat it. Despite it being FWD only, the Formentor e-Hybrid’s levels of grip are right up there with the keenest of sports SUVs and there’s a total lack of body roll and understeer. The brakes are reactive enough, but they’re a dual electrical/mechanical setup and they do get a wooden feeling when the regenerative system stands down and leaves it to the mechanical brakes.

Should I buy a Cupra Formentor?

Not only is the Cupra brand refreshingly exclusive as yet, there’s nothing on the road quite like the Formentor. Yes, if you look closely it’s a Seat, especially inside, but is that such a bad thing?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

By Ben Harrington

Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid VZ2 Specifications:

Engine – 1.4l TSI petrol & electric motor, Transmission – 6-speed auto, Layout – Front engine, FWD, Power – 243bhp, Torque – 400Nm, Emissions – 33g/km CO2, Economy – 188mpg combined, Maximum Speed – 130mph, Acceleration – 7.0-s 0-62 mph, Price – £40,260 OTR

The Cupra Formentor is available now, priced from £28,270. For full details go to: www.cupraofficial.co.uk

Filed Under: coupe-SUV, Driven, Hybrid, Review, Road Test Tagged With: Coupe, cupra, formentor, Hybrid, phev, Review, roadtest, Seat, SUV

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Driving Torque

I'm Ben Harrington and I'm a car lover, freelance motoring journalist and family-man (I'll let you decide the order!) I started Driving Torque in 2010 to share my love of all things motoring with the wider world. Since then, … continue reading

Driving Torque’s Instagram Posts

driving_torque

Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day Another highlight from this week’s SMMT Test Day was this; the unashamedly macho Ford Mustang Mach 1. A full review will follow later this year, hopefully. #ford #fordmustang #forduk #carsofinstagram
What do you do when you own two VW vans? Why, you What do you do when you own two VW vans? Why, you go and drive the latest VW Multivan, of course! The Multivan is not, I repeat, is not based on a van, though. Got it? Good. #vw #volkswagen #notavan #carsofinstagram
Managed to get a first drive of the Hyundai i20N a Managed to get a first drive of the Hyundai i20N at Millbrook yesterday. I wasn’t sure anything could get close to the Fiesta ST in real hot-hatch terms, but then, this…… #hyundai #i20n #carsofinstagram
We’ve spent the last week in the company of the We’ve spent the last week in the company of the @bmw X5 M50i. Hugely powerful yet surprisingly economical 😲 #bmw #x5 #mpower #carsofinstagram
I’ve had worse weeks……. #porsche #boxster #b I’ve had worse weeks……. #porsche #boxster #boxster25years #carsofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Driving Torque’s Twitter Feed

Ben HarringtonFollow

Freelance motoring writer and Editor of Driving Torque. @NGMWcars member. Classic VW owner. Husband and father to a wonderful wife and two amazing young ladies.

Ben Harrington
DrivingTorqueBen Harrington@DrivingTorque·
18 May

https://buff.ly/3MgBS7H #kia #ceed #sportswagon #review #roadtest #wagon

Reply on Twitter 1526997309602537472Retweet on Twitter 1526997309602537472Like on Twitter 1526997309602537472Twitter 1526997309602537472
Retweet on TwitterBen Harrington Retweeted
steveberry62Steve Berry@steveberry62·
15 May

Visited Glamis Castle today in the @mazdaukpr CX30. A lovely drive North that was made even better by the Mazda’s comfort and ride. 50+ MPG, too. A perfect day.

3
Reply on Twitter 1525887958045302785Retweet on Twitter 15258879580453027852Like on Twitter 152588795804530278511Twitter 1525887958045302785
Retweet on TwitterBen Harrington Retweeted
YTimesMotoringAndy Harris@YTimesMotoring·
12 May

The new Range Rover Sport has been unveiled.

All you need to know:

https://yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/New-Range-Rover-Sport-Revealed

@LandRover_UK @LandRoverUKPR

Reply on Twitter 1524707382131105795Retweet on Twitter 15247073821311057955Like on Twitter 15247073821311057956Twitter 1524707382131105795
DrivingTorqueBen Harrington@DrivingTorque·
12 May

https://buff.ly/3KGDRkx #bmw #x5 #msport #review

Reply on Twitter 1524708718167969793Retweet on Twitter 15247087181679697931Like on Twitter 1524708718167969793Twitter 1524708718167969793
DrivingTorqueBen Harrington@DrivingTorque·
9 May

https://buff.ly/38IdKMY #porsche #boxster #718 #25years #review #roadtest

Reply on Twitter 1523742352338264064Retweet on Twitter 1523742352338264064Like on Twitter 15237423523382640641Twitter 1523742352338264064
Load More...

© 2022 · DrivingTorque.com · Site designed and built by Kobestarr.com