I'm surprised that a higher value, substantially higher power, modified car was cheaper to insure. When I was shopping for insurance for our Leon Cupra R Abt around 3 years ago, I got some cheaper comparison site quotes, but only because they didn't know exactly what the ABT uprate was. As it happens the Leon did get an ABI classification, so it is recognised as a separate model for insurance purposes. Changing the subject I wonder if the Formentor ABT only gives the 370 bhp in ideal conditions.
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- Thread starter Syphon
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I was surprised too. They are both the same insurance bands (at 310 ps) I just wonder if the Leon is seen as a higher risk than the Formentor. On the admiral policy it highlights the mods and around the engine mods allows for 10 to 25% increase in power. I may have got some discount as a new customer to them. I wait to see what the extra power feels like and how and when it is delivered.
I'm with Admiral, but the standard 300 bhp Leon Cupra R without the ABT module was in a lower group. Though oddly our runaround 1.6 Fiesta that's worth about £2.5k, was more to insure than the Leon that's worth over 10 times as much. Went elsewhere with that.
Hi Pauly, my Leon was the ST 310 which was group 33E same as the Formentor. Just looked to see on Auto Trader whether the ABT was showing as anything different on insurance group, it was just the same so I guess it is not picking up on modifications and just working on it being the stock car.
What power output did you enter when completing the insurance proposal? Seems odd that the extra 60bhp from the ABT uprate doesn't increase the insurance premium.
Morning, there wasn't a requirement to enter this on the proposal, just a requirement to declare the types of modifications made. There were a set of option boxes to tick to show the ones made. These included engine mods, brakes and suspension. The policy details state that power increases between 10 and 25% are allowed so the extra 60 BHP is covered by that.
When I insured my Leon ABT in 2021 most of the non specialist insurers didn't know what it was over a 300 bhp Cupra R, so I declared the extra bhp. In 2023 the ABT was listed as a separate model by insurers, not sure if that made a difference to premiums.
Hi Pauly thanks for that, I have just rechecked my policy summary and this is what it states on modification from what I declared.
Modifications
Engine chip 11-25% inc BHP, Alloy wheels (non standard), Brakes - uprated
I feel pretty comfortable that this covers the increase and makes me wonder if this is the norm for what is allowed by insurers then that is why the ABT upgrade is set at 60 BHP.
Maybe, but I've never heard of insurers chucking that in for free. As I mentioned in post #41, the Leon ABT supposedly only makes all the power when air/water/oil temperatures are within certain parameters. And SEAT initially claimed 370 wotsits before they fitted the GPF. So I wonder where the extra 20 they're claiming now came from.
Hi Pauly, not sure if anything has been chucked in for free. As I needed a new insurer I simply entered my details on the Go Compare site including the modification details. I didnt request a quote for a non modified car so cant say if there would have been a difference in price. My new premium is cheaper than that which I was paying for the Leon ST 310 but that may just be down to me being a new customer or maybe they view certain risks differently. I may see more next year when I come to renew. With regards the power output I would have thought all engines were reliant on temperatures being within certain parameters to make full power. I feel pretty sure this car will produce enough power to keep me happy on the few opportunities todays traffic allows me to use some of it.
Some owners weren't very impressed when it turned out the ABT piggy back didn't give all of the power, all of the time. It seems like that wouldn't matter to you.
I am not looking to use it on track that is for sure and for road use I am hoping it will be a notch or two up from the 310BHP when required. It is a nice comfortable drive and the new seats are great. I also like the look of the car with the bigger wheels and lower stance and having one of just 160 cars in the Uk is nice as you dont see too many the same when out and about.
My wife had a VZ2 150bhp on lease which was comfortable, practical and easy to get in and out of (I’m 68!). I was running a Golf R Estate and had always thought that mixing that car’s capabilities with a Formentor would provide the perfect solution to speccing my next car. Along came the Abt but at >£60K it was beyond what I was willing to pay. I was then considering a BMW M340i/d estate but thought it worth looking to see if nearly new Abts were available. Having dropped to c. £40K I then secured one at £37K. IMO it looks great (in grey), drives brilliantly for an SUV and is quicker than the Golf R. My wife called it lush after her first drive and it fulfills all her practicality requirements. Fuel consumption when driving normally is excellent and not much more than her VZ2, however a blast on some of the best driving roads in the UK that we have up here soon sees that plummet. But that’s to be expected. I can’t really complain about the road tax, it goes with the territory and I managed to insure it for £450. I think EVO was spot on when they concluded that it “is a quietly excellent car”.
Hi Martin, hope you are enjoying your new car. I had 2 Golf R estates and then moved to the Cupra Leon Estate, I loved all 3. I have now had the ABT Formentor for 6 months and love it. Like you I am getting close to the big 7 zero (9 months to go) and I think the ABT formentor is perfect as it doesn't look too much like a something that should be only driven by the young :0). Enjoy.
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