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Model Year 26/27 CUPRA Formentor VZ5 Video Review: The 390PS Five-Cylinder Monster Finally Hits the UK
- Thread starter Syphon
- Start date
I watched the video again and annoyingly makes me want one lol........very pleased for the upcoming owners (enjoy)
5 stars for the 5 cylinder VZ5 of course! 
On the review, I think the economy is a relatively important factor still. It's only 1 more cylinder than the standard 4 pot EA888 after all - but the VZ5 isn't a loud car - and that's possibly the biggest drawback of it being a 2026 vehicle. So it wouldn't be forgivable to have V8 or V10 fuel bills either. At the price they ask, it's definitely not a weekend runabout either but a practical endgame daily, and so it is good to know it's crossover SUV drag coefficient isn't extra penalising in any way (a hatchback RS3 does the same 31.5mpg on a long run too) but the VZ5 will be a much nicer place to be for long trips.
The engine character doesn't sound dissimilar to what I know. These racing engines do give you the midrange punch and top end legs, but you have to work it. The exact opposite of a workhorse diesel and now electric motors galore. What this will do to future appreciation of the VZ5 I do not know. But I hope all owners take care of them as there aren't many in the UK!
On the review, I think the economy is a relatively important factor still. It's only 1 more cylinder than the standard 4 pot EA888 after all - but the VZ5 isn't a loud car - and that's possibly the biggest drawback of it being a 2026 vehicle. So it wouldn't be forgivable to have V8 or V10 fuel bills either. At the price they ask, it's definitely not a weekend runabout either but a practical endgame daily, and so it is good to know it's crossover SUV drag coefficient isn't extra penalising in any way (a hatchback RS3 does the same 31.5mpg on a long run too) but the VZ5 will be a much nicer place to be for long trips.
The engine character doesn't sound dissimilar to what I know. These racing engines do give you the midrange punch and top end legs, but you have to work it. The exact opposite of a workhorse diesel and now electric motors galore. What this will do to future appreciation of the VZ5 I do not know. But I hope all owners take care of them as there aren't many in the UK!
Great review Scott, makes the wait for mine even harder to bear. Having been a loyal Audi RS customer for many, many years (including RS3 and TTRS)+ I know just how special this engine is. But neither of those cars are as good as the Formentor as a practical, everyday drive. So for me the VZ5 has it all - performance, handling, style and practicality. With my advancing years I no longer need a car that shouts "look at me" but for sure I want it to make me grin and laugh the way you did in the review. CUPRA have carved out a reputation for building great looking, super cool cars for enthusiasts, so this really is the ultimate expression of the brand. Yes it's a crazy amount of money, but it's buying something very special - an end of an era car and I can't wait to drive it. In many ways it's such an odd car to build when the world is going all out electric, but I'm so grateful, and excited, that they have. I've got a feeling this car will be with me for a very, very long time.
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Like - wheels, brakes, reduced ride height, power/torque, diagonal positioning of exhaust tips, flared wheel arches (I wonder if I can...)
Dislike - matt paint, mpg, lack of bodywork differentiation from lower spec models
Thanks for the review and thanks for being a normal human being, unlike many car review twits these days.
Dislike - matt paint, mpg, lack of bodywork differentiation from lower spec models
Thanks for the review and thanks for being a normal human being, unlike many car review twits these days.
Look forward to going in one if I get a chance.....over the last 5 years ive owned mainly B58 engines running 450-500bhp cars and is another real power house of an engine and one of the all time greats along with Audi's 5 cylinder.....ive had plenty of E888 engined cars over the years and a great engine for a 4 pot but once you've owned 5 , 6 or 8 cylinder you do get spoilt.
I'm torn on this cos for the money there is alot better out there it you shop around and take something a year old with the depreciation taken by someone else)
I'm loving the engine (for obvious reasons), the wheels and the moderate aesthetic upgrades (I'm a sucker for a bit of carbon)
BUT, the fact the interior is no different to my VZ3 (something unique with the seat branding and scuff plates) would have been nice (as would some carbon dash accents)
The exterior could have been enhanced even further by replacing the badges with dark chrome or black and Cupra could have taken some hints at what the likes of JE Design have done with wider arches and a bigger spoiler on the back cos at 50 yards this doesnt look any different to a V1 - for that money I want something that tells people its not a normal Formentor!
But for people buying one - enjoy it for what it is - I'm not envious... much
I'm loving the engine (for obvious reasons), the wheels and the moderate aesthetic upgrades (I'm a sucker for a bit of carbon)
BUT, the fact the interior is no different to my VZ3 (something unique with the seat branding and scuff plates) would have been nice (as would some carbon dash accents)
The exterior could have been enhanced even further by replacing the badges with dark chrome or black and Cupra could have taken some hints at what the likes of JE Design have done with wider arches and a bigger spoiler on the back cos at 50 yards this doesnt look any different to a V1 - for that money I want something that tells people its not a normal Formentor!
But for people buying one - enjoy it for what it is - I'm not envious... much
Lovely review! I'm in Europe and currently seriously considering a 2022 given their going prices of 2/3 the new price 4 years ago which makes them such a tempting offer. My biggest hesitation is the SUV/crossover body. I know it's not that huge of a car (which is good in my eyes) and not that heavy at all actually (for what it is) but I've *never* been a SUV person and my mind keeps telling me "it will handle poorly what are you even thinking?" One of my first actions would be to lower it on quality springs only as the adaptive suspension has got pretty good comments but still...
Any more details/impressions on the handling and overall driving dynamics? Obviously I've read great comments about it but is it "good for a SUV" type of good, or really hot-hatch equivalent levels? similar to say a Golf R?
Updated because I missed the all-important "never" which changes the whole point behind my dilemma
Any more details/impressions on the handling and overall driving dynamics? Obviously I've read great comments about it but is it "good for a SUV" type of good, or really hot-hatch equivalent levels? similar to say a Golf R?
Updated because I missed the all-important "never" which changes the whole point behind my dilemma
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Lovely review! I'm in Europe and currently seriously considering a 2022 given their going prices of 2/3 the new price 4 years ago which makes them such a tempting offer. My biggest hesitation is the SUV/crossover body. I know it's not that huge of a car (which is good in my eyes) and not that heavy at all actually (for what it is) but I've *never* been a SUV person and my mind keeps telling me "it will handle poorly what are you even thinking?" One of my first actions would be to lower it on quality springs only as the adaptive suspension has got pretty good comments but still...
Any more details/impressions on the handling and overall driving dynamics? Obviously I've read great comments about it but is it "good for a SUV" type of good, or really hot-hatch equivalent levels? similar to say a Golf R?
Updated because I missed the all-important "never" which changes the whole point behind my dilemma
2022 VZ5 or the 2L VZ2/3?
I can only vouch for the less wieghty EA888 at the front, but the handling is way more Golf R than SUV in terms of handling dynamics. The Formentor is surprisingly neutral in corners and will pleasantly loosen it's rear and rotate off throttle, no body roll issues to speak about really.
Do not even consider coil overs if you have adaptive suspension though, you will ruin both the ride quality and point of driving modes. Cupra mode is stiff and will give you plenty of feel if you want that. Personally I think the older we get the extra ride height and dynamic dampening is a much greater benefit.
If you wanted to mod the Formentor, I would address the bottlenecks in order;
Fit UUHP tyres; I recommend Pirelli PZ5 or Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. That will address the push into understeer the standard Bridgestone Turanzas have.
Remap to Stage 1; basically a no brainer when the ECU is unlocked. Use a reputable dealer, I highly recommend TVS for the gearbox.
Get a carbon fibre bonnet fitted. The stock bonnet is ridiculously heavy, it'll be expensive, especially to have it resprayed in body colour, but losing weight is benefits all-round and particularly over the nose. That will matter even more for the VZ5.
Lastly a Milltek valved backbox or equivalent, for auditory not performance reasons.
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Crap picture but my VZ5 has arrived. I’ll give a longer term view on it once I’ve driven it more than 40 miles 
Nice, very nice. Just heard last week that mine is built and on its way here so I'm probably just a couple of weeks behind you ...
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