AUTONEWS

Cupra Formentor VZ5 test TOP5...Formentor is a cuckoo’s egg in itself, as it has no specific counterpart in the other brands of the VW group. Categorizing it is not easy either, since it is tall as a classic compact and flat as an SUV, but it is certainly a model that attracts attention with its shape alone. At the same time, the VZ5 version is much more than a sporty looking fashion car rolling on big rims. The top-of-the-line Formentor, produced in a limited number of copies, is a real experience machine, and even of the best kind!

1. THE MUSIC OF 5 CYLINDER...The 2.5-liter turbo engine manufactured in Győr is almost the same as a field 4-cylinder at low revs or under low load, but when you start chasing it, magic happens. Racing car lovers are well aware of the characteristic, unmistakable sound of the Group B Audi Quattro, which can absolutely be discovered in the Formentor VZ5 – it’s a small wonder that such a car still exists in 2023. No cylinder cut-off, electric assist, only 390 horsepower and 480 Nm, with which it puts serious sports cars to shame in the Cup. Due to the 1-2-4-5-3 ignition sequence at high revs, one’s eyes almost water from the entire performance. It is a different matter that the 7-speed double-clutch gearbox must be switched to the Sport program so that the power transmission responds in time to the gas pedal’s command.

2. DRIFT MODE: GO TO THE AMUSEMENT PARK!...Due to the cross-engine design and the Haldex 4×4 drive, the Audi RS 3 is closest to the Formentor VZ5, but the Spanish machine also has a function that the German group partner does not. Thanks to the smart torque control, the driver can activate a drift mode, which can only be used on racetracks (on the road, it is considered forbidden fruit by definition). The 4×4 drive is not exactly average: the torque splitter technique covers an electro-hydraulic system for the rear axles, with two separate clutches, meaning that the control can change the torque between the rear wheels in the blink of an eye, independently of each other.

3. THE BEST PRINCIPLE OF ALL APPLIES TO BRAKES...There were no complaints about the brake system of the 310-horsepower, 4-cylinder Cupra VZ, but the top model also represents a different league when it comes to brakes. The name of the Japanese Akebono, who has vast experience in Formula 1, is attached to the brake system, which in the case of the VZ5 means 6-piston calipers and 375 mm discs. The latter is 35 mm larger than the 310 hp version, meaning a 20-inch rim is needed to accommodate the huge disc!

4. SABELT SEATS IN PRESSURE...The results of the collaboration between the Italian Sabelt manufactory and Cupra are the VZ5 seats, which were dreamed up by one of the legends of touring cars, Jordi Gené. Compared to the fact that we are talking about a car with an SUV look, the seating position is remarkably low, and you can’t get away without saying a word, even if you hold it sideways. These are not the most comfortable seats (especially not for taller people), but they squeeze the person sitting in them in such a way that you can feel like you are in a real sports car.

5. EXCLUSIVENESS ON THE SQUARE...Only 7,000 copies of the 5-cylinder Cupra will be produced, which is less than a Porsche 911 or a BMW M3. Although its production has not yet ended, it is no longer possible to order it in Hungary, at the time of writing, only one piece was available in the Hungarian dealer network, at a price of just over HUF 28 million. Of course, with the extras of the VZ5, you can easily exceed the psychological limit of 30 million, our test car with bucket seats, electric trunk lid movement and curtain airbags tasted more than 33 million.

I LIKED IT:

• engine power

• audio experience

• manageability

I DID NOT LIKE:

• unavailability

• few physical buttons

SUMMARY: One of the VW Group’s most enjoyable cars is the Audi Motor Cupra, which is sure to be a treasured treasure for collectors. Its driving characteristics are those of a sports car, but it requires few compromises in terms of practicality – it’s a shame that it doesn’t have a sequel.

Reporting: Miklós-Illés Kálmán