Demo for a week

jimbobc

Active Member
May 6, 2021
49
11
Hi all,

I've been lurking for a few weeks to find out about the Formentor. I've had delivered a Formentor VZ2 310bhp in black with blue leather today for a fleet loan for the next week and looking forward to driving it properly over the weekend. So far I am surprised how low it is sitting next to out family Mazda 6 but it does look purposeful!

The only other thing I notice is it feels lethargic at low revs which makes me think would I be just as happy with a 1.5 - time will tell but I have an Alpine A110 for fun so don't desperately need the really quick one. I'm more interested in the low end torque.

Cheers,

James.
 
Last edited:

Peyton

Active Member
Jan 20, 2021
495
240
Hi all,

I've been lurking for a few weeks to find out about the Formentor. I've had delivered a Formentor VZ2 310bhp in black with blue leather today for a fleet loan for the next week and looking forward to driving it properly over the weekend. So far I am suprised how low it is sitting next to out family Mazda 6 but it does look purposeful!

The only other thing I notice is it feels lethargic at low revs which makes me thing would I be just as happy with a 1.5 - time will tell but I have an Alpine A110 for fun so desperately need the really quick one. I'm more interested in the low end torque.

Cheers,

James.
Car is very lethargic at low revs when in D, especially in Comfort mode.

Try using gearbox in S.
 
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Mike the_cupra

Active Member
May 29, 2020
158
81
I've had 2 EA888 DSG cars, it takes a bit of time to get used to. A lot complain the Ateca and formentor are sluggish in D and it's hard to disagree. When you get used to the gearbox (or it gets used to you), it'll be better. You'll notice and appreciate the ease of acceleration more up to 50mph and higher, effortless pace.
 
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Peyton

Active Member
Jan 20, 2021
495
240
I've had 2 EA888 DSG cars, it takes a bit of time to get used to. A lot complain the Ateca and formentor are sluggish in D and it's hard to disagree. When you get used to the gearbox (or it gets used to you), it'll be better. You'll notice and appreciate the ease of acceleration more up to 50mph and higher, effortless pace.
It's logical way to program the gearbox. By keeping it low in the revs, your fuel mileage is better. Anyone who wants the pace can switch to S or press the throttle more.

I usually drive in S (at least for now).
 
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VocalHusky

Active Member
Apr 28, 2021
24
15
@jimbobc if you're considering the 1.5 I would recommend going for the 2.0 190. It's quick enough (for me at least) but won't feel starved for power and probably sound nicer too at high revs. Plus, someone on my local forums complained about the fuel consumption on the 1.5 being on the high side
 

rafletcher

Active Member
Feb 18, 2021
531
214
I've had 2 EA888 DSG cars, it takes a bit of time to get used to. A lot complain the Ateca and formentor are sluggish in D and it's hard to disagree. When you get used to the gearbox (or it gets used to you), it'll be better. You'll notice and appreciate the ease of acceleration more up to 50mph and higher, effortless pace.
I had an A4 and an S3 with the EA888 and DSG. I had the A4 remapped (nothing special, Celtic Tuning stage 1) at 3 years old, and found it much, much more usable in D, with decent get up and go, without the (to me) excessive revving in S. I’ll do the same to my Cupra Ateca.
 

jimbobc

Active Member
May 6, 2021
49
11
@jimbobc if you're considering the 1.5 I would recommend going for the 2.0 190. It's quick enough (for me at least) but won't feel starved for power and probably sound nicer too at high revs. Plus, someone on my local forums complained about the fuel consumption on the 1.5 being on the high side
Thanks that sounds like a good suggestion
 

Mike the_cupra

Active Member
May 29, 2020
158
81
I had an A4 and an S3 with the EA888 and DSG. I had the A4 remapped (nothing special, Celtic Tuning stage 1) at 3 years old, and found it much, much more usable in D, with decent get up and go, without the (to me) excessive revving in S. I’ll do the same to my Cupra Ateca.
It's not something which bothers me, but I get why it gripes others. I have two driving modes myself, partner and dog (D), or just me my(S)elf and I . D and S fit those perfectly :LOL:
 

jimbobc

Active Member
May 6, 2021
49
11
Well my wife drove it today and really liked it particularly that it drives more like a car than an suv. She also really likes the engine. Need to have a think about engine choice as clearly its a big premium over the 1.5 v2 which looks near identical. 32mpg seemed reasonable for the pace though. Quite like desire red and noticed one of the brokers is offering 12% discount on a factory order.
 

Mike the_cupra

Active Member
May 29, 2020
158
81
Well my wife drove it today and really liked it particularly that it drives more like a car than an suv. She also really likes the engine. Need to have a think about engine choice as clearly its a big premium over the 1.5 v2 which looks near identical. 32mpg seemed reasonable for the pace though. Quite like desire red and noticed one of the brokers is offering 12% discount on a factory order.
I understand they've just announced the other engines. I would potentially suggested the 2.0 245PS (Golf GTI engine). It's FWD only so will get better MPG than the 310 and it'll have more than enough power for what you want. I'm surprised more people aren't leaning that way, particularly with its price (~£35k)
 
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Peyton

Active Member
Jan 20, 2021
495
240
I understand they've just announced the other engines. I would potentially suggested the 2.0 245PS (Golf GTI engine). It's FWD only so will get better MPG than the 310 and it'll have more than enough power for what you want. I'm surprised more people aren't leaning that way, particularly with its price (~£35k)
Formentor is 99% of the time FWD car and shouldn't have any major losses due to 4WD - Haldex keeps the rear wheels disconnected so there shouldn't be many losses.

I do agree, 245 PS is an interesting choice but I doubt it being FWD helps a lot with mileage. I think the major reason it is not super popular is that it wasn't available until recently.
 

Mike the_cupra

Active Member
May 29, 2020
158
81
Formentor is 99% of the time FWD car and shouldn't have any major losses due to 4WD - Haldex keeps the rear wheels disconnected so there shouldn't be many losses.

I do agree, 245 PS is an interesting choice but I doubt it being FWD helps a lot with mileage. I think the major reason it is not super popular is that it wasn't available until recently.
I've owned a Golf GTI and an R, it makes more of a difference than you'd think. Perhaps partly due to the 100kg extra weight you carry for it. But otherwise, you also get bigger boot space for your change. That's where my money would be going (also sub 40k list price = low tax)
 
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jimbobc

Active Member
May 6, 2021
49
11
I understand they've just announced the other engines. I would potentially suggested the 2.0 245PS (Golf GTI engine). It's FWD only so will get better MPG than the 310 and it'll have more than enough power for what you want. I'm surprised more people aren't leaning that way, particularly with its price (~£35k)
I think you are right it sounds really interesting for me but such a shame its only in VZ1 spec. This seems a strange choice and would be a no go for me as would really want the nice leather, heated seats, reverse camera seems a missed opportunity

Has anyone driven both the 1.5 and the 310 and can give a meaningful comparison.

I would assume the 1.5 is probably still well suited with DSG. Not sure I really want a manual
 

Agnes.Surrey

Active Member
Nov 6, 2020
767
416
Surrey
I understand they've just announced the other engines. I would potentially suggested the 2.0 245PS (Golf GTI engine). It's FWD only so will get better MPG than the 310 and it'll have more than enough power for what you want. I'm surprised more people aren't leaning that way, particularly with its price (~£35k)
If I had such choice, I would rather go for ex-demo or discounted Formentor 310 VZ2 with better spec, than 245 with FWD only and lower spec. If you compare the spec, price difference is not big. I chose Formentor because of 4WD, hoping it will save me or help me in certain situations of light off road. I was on another camping field last weekend and could see FWD cars spinning the wheels on wet grass and mud.
 

jimbobc

Active Member
May 6, 2021
49
11
If I had such choice, I would rather go for ex-demo or discounted Formentor 310 VZ2 with better spec, than 245 with FWD only and lower spec. If you compare the spec, price difference is not big. I chose Formentor because of 4WD, hoping it will save me or help me in certain situations of light off road. I was on another camping field last weekend and could see FWD cars spinning the wheels on wet grass and mud.
I see New Car Discount are offering a new VZ2 310 with desire red at £35.1k seems pretty good. The 190 dsg at £30.3k
 

Peyton

Active Member
Jan 20, 2021
495
240
If I had such choice, I would rather go for ex-demo or discounted Formentor 310 VZ2 with better spec, than 245 with FWD only and lower spec. If you compare the spec, price difference is not big. I chose Formentor because of 4WD, hoping it will save me or help me in certain situations of light off road. I was on another camping field last weekend and could see FWD cars spinning the wheels on wet grass and mud.
I had a 184 ps Leon before this. I would get wheel spin when doing hard acceleration in bad conditions (bad road surface or in rain). It's not a big deal but it shows up and limits the cars performance.

In a Formentor I haven't had TC light come on (I am assuming it lights up when traction control is active). The car feels on rails.
 

jimbobc

Active Member
May 6, 2021
49
11
Has anyone got the panoramic -is it an electric opening and would you recommend?
 

Peyton

Active Member
Jan 20, 2021
495
240
Has anyone got the panoramic -is it an electric opening and would you recommend?
I have it. It is electricly operated, both the window and the blinds. I enjoy it, but as a driver usually you do not really enjoy the panoramic sunroof as it is directly overhead. Your passengers, especially on the back bench get to enjoy it.
 
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