Latest news with #Formentor
NZ Autocar
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
New Cupras now come with three years of free servicing
Cupra New Zealand is introducing complimentary three-year service plans across its entire range of new vehicles. This reinforces the brand's commitment to delivering an emotive driving experience along with premium ownership value. From today every new Cupra purchased will include a three-year service plan at no additional cost. This applies to the next-generation Leon Sportstourer due soon (below), the Formentor, and the new Terramar. Designed to provide peace of mind and an enhanced customer experience, the service plan covers scheduled servicing for three years/45,000km. The only proviso is that all services must be completed at an authorised Cupra service centre and at intervals of 15,000km or 12 months. Clinton Baird, National Sales Manager, commented: 'This initiative strengthens Cupra's commitment to delivering progressive performance vehicles while ensuring ownership remains as effortless and enjoyable as the drive itself. Cupra Tavascan EV is arriving later this year. 'As Cupra continues to grow in New Zealand, it's important that our customers feel supported not only at the time of purchase but throughout the lifecycle of their vehicle.' With a focus on innovation, performance, and customer satisfaction, the inclusion of a service plan adds even more value to Cupra's line-up. Customers can learn more about the Cupra three-year service plan and full terms here.
NZ Autocar
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
2025 Cupra Formentor VZ Review
Each time we've driven the Cupra Formentor crossover, we get the feeling we've experienced about the best there is in the compact crossover sector. But can that last forever? Er, apparently, because there's still nothing much else in the area that thinks it's a hot hatch in disguise. This still goes like stink and corners like a car, so what's not to like? Perhaps a price rise precisely when the global economy seems to be on a knife edge. Things have changed somewhat though, for the Formentor has undergone a recent facelift. There's a new more go-get-em look up front, with an aggressive prow and reshaped bonnet line. Down the back are new lights, and a Cupra sign that illuminates at night, along with a full-width light bar. But the shape is still familiar, as is the urban friendly size of Formentor (4.45m long, by 1.84m wide). It fits easily enough in our garage and will tote five adults at a pinch, better for four though. A turning circle of 10.7m is city friendly too, not that rearward visibility is exactly first rate. Nevermind as a surround camera circumvents that issue. The Formentor line-up slims down for this year; the hybrid is now to-order only. Meantime, Cupra is making moves to become a national player. Outlets are on the up. Previously, there was just the single 'garage' in Auckland but now there are six. Five are scattered about the North Island, two in Auckland, either side of the bridge. There's a lone Christchurch site on the mainland. Cupras are now more expensive but what isn't subject to price creep? The entry-level V model is asking $65,500. When we drove it in 2022 it was under $50k. That's in part due to a repositioning of Cupra as a more premium brand. So it competes now with a different calibre of rival, as does the VZ you see here. At one time this model with the hot 2.0T engine and DCT tranny was available for under $70k but now commands a price tag of $87,500. At least now you can haggle over the price however, Cupra moving away from the agency model. As if to emphasise its shift in status, the retail outlets are placed in close proximity to Audi dealerships, putting it in good premium company. You buy the Audi if you want the conservative choice, the Cupra if you want something a bit more dynamic with outgoing style. Despite fewer models in each area, the line-up is growing. Aside from Cupra Formentor and Leon SportsTourer – the hatch has dropped out, as has Cupra Born – there's also the new Terramar SUV, along with the electric Tavascan due here later this year. So now most Cupras you can buy have ICE power and electrification…except for the one you see here. It's pure 2.0T power, hooked up to a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission and driving through all four wheels. It can honk, naturally, given its output of 245kW and 420Nm, cutting the sprint out in 4.8sec. We near as dammit managed that on a damp road. That's so far ahead of the V it isn't funny, being almost twice as quick. You pay more up front and at the pump of course. That said, we easily met its mean fuel consumption figure of 8.3L/100km (8.8 rightcar) on the motorway at cruising speed, even if the long term average was just into double figures. The mild hybrid V model uses a suggested 5.5L/100km. Yes, it's still a proper riot, especially in the more vibrant Cupra mode where it's amongst the fastest, most dynamic and tastiest of compact crossovers available at present. And the best bit is that the ride is, if anything, even better. Sure, it's firm in the go-hard Cupra and Race modes, but not jarringly so. And in the Personal mode, you can dial up adaptive damper settings from Comfort to Cupra. In the Comfort mode it borders on pampering, midway is ideal for regular out-of-town drives and Cupra is for, well, Cupra driving. This is the main difference from its natural Eastern rival, the LBX Morizo RR. It also feels more premium and is somewhat roomier. It's also more potent, sounds better and is a half second quicker in the sprint. Like the RR, this is a limpet in the dry, confident in the wet. And its quick steering and Cupra bark make it feel even more like a hot-hatch. Beware the options boxes as they add up. With Akrapovic exhaust ($7400), the Century Bronze matte paint ($4k), matrix LED headlights ($2k), panoramic sunroof ($3100) and special copper-coloured forged alloy wheels ($3300) that put the price over the top to $107,300. You can also order an Akebono front brake upgrade for $4500 but we'd not bother for the standard items are good as is. Other rivals are more expensive and not as quick, like X2 M35i, and Q3 Sportback (ditto). VW's T-Roc R costs less but isn't as ornery. Cupra Formentor VZ $87,500 / 8.3L/100km / 200g/km 0-100 km/h 4.78s Engine 1984cc / IL4 / DI / T Max power 245kW@5600-6500rpm Max torque 420Nm@2100-5500rpm Drivetrain 7-speed-twin clutch / AWD Weight (claimed) 1679kg
Extra.ie
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Extra.ie
Cupra Formentor Review: 'You might be able to stop looking, but I couldn't'
Look at it, just look at it. Eventually, you might be able to stop, but I couldn't. Every time I was anywhere near one of the front windows of my house, I had to have another peep. That paint job, in Century Bronze Matt, is spectacular in any light, looking rich and velvety in bright sunshine, feline and vaguely predatory when the clouds close in. It's so tactile, you actually find your hand running along the side of the car before you open the door. Cupra Formentor. Pic: Cupra In a country that loves grey cars, and once enjoyed a lengthy flirtation with silver, bronze actually is the real deal, coolly understated and wearing its luxury with unshowy confidence. The only issue is that it is a €2,626 optional extra on top of the €59,135 base price of this plug-in hybrid Formentor (the standard petrol-only model costs €39,885, so it's not so much a price walk as a fairly lengthy trot). Nor was it the only extra on my test car, because it also came with 19-inch Hailstorm copper machined alloy wheels (€1,641), an Immersive by Sennheiser 12-speaker system with subwoofer and amplifier (€704), Pure Performance pack with matrix LED Ultra lights and dynamic chassis control (€1,134), Progressive Design with leather seats, power front seats with driver memory (€1,154), Intelligent Drive DQ with side and exit assist, pre-crash assist, intelligent park assist, lane-keeping system plus, satnav, traffic jam assist and top view camera (€2,017), and Skyline pack with panoramic sunroof (€1,287). That's an options list that comes to a pretty hefty €10,563. Yikes! Nevertheless, if you had the money, a few things on there are worth it. The wheels, for starters, are the perfect accessories for the paint job, like a really well-coordinated shirt and tie. The sound system, because it's pretty spectacular, with lovely deep bass and elegant treble. The sunroof because, well, Ireland. Cupra Formentor. Pic: Cupra The leather seats, which admittedly do look a little sullen, are livened up a bit by the bronze stitching. The cabin feels nice and roomy, even for the rear seat passengers, and there's a feed-through panel in the middle rear seat for items too long to fit in the 345-litre boot. The 12.9-inch infotainment screen is crystal clear, and there are physical sliders to adjust the three-zone cabin temperature, for which much thanks. Standard equipment includes heated bucket seats up front (really, really comfortable), heated steering wheel, hands-free tailgate, 10.25-inch digital cockpit, wraparound interior lighting, rearview camera, front full LEDs, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and lots more. The battery in this plug-in hybrid is 20 kWh, and will take two hours and 30 minutes to get from 0-100 per cent on a home wallbox, and 26 minutes from 10-80 per cent on a 50 kw public charger. I've only ever charged plug-in hybrids at home, to be honest, because I know that when I'm driving an EV and need to charge it on the road, there's nothing more infuriating than finding a PHEV hogging one of the units when the driver could get home on petrol, and probably for a lot cheaper. Cupra cites WLTP electric-only range of 118km, which I suppose might be possible, but at 100 per cent charge, my test car was projecting 83km, though after mostly motorway driving. Cupra Formentor. Pic: Cupra As for performance, the electric motor and combustion engine combine to produce 272 hp, and that means a 0-100kph sprint of 7.2 seconds. The VZ in the name is 'veloz', the Spanish for speedy, and while that's a decent clip, it's not eyewateringly quick off the blocks. To be honest, the best thing about the Formentor is driving it at a steady speed on the motorway, where it sits very nicely, delivers a decent flick of acceleration when needed, and smoothly utilises the six-speed DSG automatic box. The suspension is very well calibrated for Irish roads, absorbing a lot of lumps and bumps without ever feeling unduly soft, so country roads present no problems of note. This is a mid-life facelift that has refined the original design of the first standalone model from CUPRA after it became a boutique brand under the SEAT umbrella, and it has just the right amount of Catalan flair to mark it out as something rather special. The lines and proportions are delightful, and the redesigned grille is attractive. Above all, though, the addition of the bronze paint job is what makes it exceptional, and a reminder that while many spend their lives going for gold, you don't have to seek glister when muted reflection is so much tastier. CUPRA FORMENTOR VZ 1.5 TSI E-HYBRID PRICE €59,135; Model driven, €69,698 ENGINE 1.5-litre petrol BATTERY CAPACITY 20kWh ELECTRIC RANGE 118km POWER 272hp TRANSMISSION Six-speed DSG automatic 0-100KPH 7.2 seconds FUEL CONSUMPTION 4.8-5.4 l/100km EMISSIONS 10g/km, €140 tax DIMENSIONS (MM) 4451 (L), 1839 (W, excl mirrors), 1537 (H)
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Opel overtaken – Cupra's conquesting continues
Can Cupra do no wrong? SEAT S.A.'s profits powerhouse is selling so many cars that it even rose to position six in Europe's largest national market during March. Which means it was not only ahead of Ford but Opel too, data from Germany's KBA show. Audi remained safe in fifth in its home country, a long way ahead (17,608 versus 9,617) but Opel was down by 26.1% to 9,581 and Ford by 17.5% to 8,752 compared to March 2024. And all these brands have several new models. Cupra's year-on-year gain is a remarkable 128.5%. Things are in fact even sunnier than what the national registrations number-crunching organisation notes. As BestSellingCarsBlog recently pointed out, the KBA includes Cupra León sales within its number for the SEAT brand. Why? Because each has a model of that name. The recent climb to sixth place is Cupra's best ranking yet, and follows an advance to position ten in both January and February. EVs bounce back in Germany (though not Tesla) Germans have always been quite keen on both SEAT and Cupra cars, while a few pieces of good fortune and planning have really helped things along. EVs are suddenly back in favour, the Born rising by 41.1% to 1,753 sales in March. But it's the Formentor (4,417), taking fifth place overall, and a new model, the Terramar (2,347), which are mostly to thank for the brand's stellar month. Imagine that both the VW Polo (2,335) and Mercedes C-Class (2,216) were outsold by this SUV. Manufactured by Audi Hungaria on the same production line as its near-twin, the equally new Audi Q3, the Terramar is also off to a strong sales start in most other European markets, Britain included. Series production of right-hand drive cars lagged build for LHD countries by several months but the ramp-up is now well and truly underway. Just like the Q3, the Terramar offers several turbocharged four-cylinder engine choices. Similarly, there is no EV option. Buyers who prefer an electric model may instead select either the Born hatchback or the Tavascan, a coupe-SUV. Ever more Cupra models Cupras straddle the B/C/D segments, being between 4.2 and 4.6 metres long (4,519 mm for the Terramar), the brand clearly having settled on this as its sweet spot. A larger SUV will likely come by decade-end though, especially if US market entry goes ahead. The SEAT division calls its PHEV powertrains eHybrid. These are available in the Formentor and Leon, along with the Terramar. And by the way, if you're wondering about that name, the new model is named after the Autòdrom de Sitges-Terramar, a former motor racing circuit near Barcelona. While I'm not sure that's terribly relevant for an SUV, at least this one comes from a genuinely sporty brand. Standard DCT, six or seven speeds The car I recently borrowed is the fastest non-electrified variant, equipped with a 195 kW (265 PS) 2.0-litre TSI engine. Drive is to both axles via a seven-speed DCT. In some markets there is also a 150 kW (204 PS) version of this engine with the same transmission and four-wheel drive system. Base trim, meanwhile, brings with it 1.5-litre mild hybrid power ('eTSI'), outputs being 110 kW (150 PS) and 250 Nm. Only the front axle is driven, with the standard dual clutch transmission also having seven forward gears. For the two PHEVs (though not all markets take both), Cupra specifies a 1.5-litre powertrain with 150 kW (204 PS). In top-spec VZ form, combined power and torque are 200 kW (272 PS) and 400 Nm. The DCT has six speeds, while the battery's capacity is 20 kW net. Built in Europe but with global parts Lifting the bonnet of any car doesn't reveal much nowadays, yet every now and then the usual big plastic shield is absent. Which is the case with the Terramar. Even the turbocharger is in full view, along with a lengthy heat shield and multiple components. So it is that the global nature of car manufacture is plain to see here, with Made In Czechia, Made In Slovakia and even Made in China (all in English) stickers easily spotted. Cupra even has one China-built model, the Tavascan - an EV. Something which continues to intrigue me is the lack of any model badges on Cupras. Often you can find an identifier etched into the side of one tail light (or both, in this case) with C U P R A splashed across the tailgate. And when lifted, this reveals a very generously sized boot. Below it, there's a curved well for a spare tyre but that was empty in the case of the press tester. Expensive aura for interior Carpet in both the luggage bay and cabin is high quality, as are seats fabrics though door cards have some sections of hard surfacing. This is at least relieved by lovely copper-coloured handles and matching lines of metal-look trim. The same signature shade appears on the air vents and as embellishment for the steering wheel. Volume is controlled by the Volkswagen Group's love it or loathe it touch-sliders, as is cabin temperature. Space up front is terrific though not too great for those in the back even when using a sliding function. There is not only a substantial transmission hump but the seats themselves are curiously upright and knees can easily rub against hard pieces of plastic trim. No 112 mph limited top speed here As for the driver's view, windows are all a good size with the exception of the back one. Still, at least there is a wash-wipe system, even if it works via an overloaded left stalk. That's due to PRND being controlled by the right one. How about performance? That's excellent, as are the dynamics, zero to 62 mph taking an official 5.9 seconds and V-max being 151 mph. Moreover, challenging roads are a delight thanks to abundant torque and grip is superb. Cupra's chassis technicians have managed to keep lean to the very minimum and if there is one area available for improvement it would be ride quality. Does it replace any older model? Every Cupra has its own distinct look and for me, this new model is as 'right' as the Born, my favourite model. In other words, proportions are as spot-on as all the details such as wheel and tyre size, colour coding, lighting design, air dams and side skirts. The company has hinted that in time, the Terramar will replace the Ateca. I prefer that SUV's interior but these things are always subjective. Overall, there are no reasons why the new SUV won't sell well - indeed it already is - and continue to."Opel overtaken – Cupra's conquesting continues" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Seat and Cupra CEO steps down after four years
Seat and Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths is leaving the Spanish company after nearly five years at the helm. Griffiths is stepping down with immediate effect 'at his own request', Seat said in an official statement, 'to pursue new challenges'. There is no word on whether he has accepted a new job. The Brit will be replaced on an interim basis by production and logistics boss Markus Haupt, with a full-time successor to be announced at a later date. Over the past half-decade, Griffiths has overseen a transformative period of expansion and diversification at Seat, with Cupra becoming one of Europe's fastest-growing car brands under his stewardship. When Griffiths was named CEO in 2020, Cupra was a newly independent brand that sold only a hot version of the Seat Ateca under its own badge. Shortly after, it launched the Formentor as its first bespoke model and now, five years later, has another three bespoke cars in its portfolio: the Born hatchback, Tavascan crossover and Terramar SUV. Last year, Cupra achieved a 7.5% sales uptick, delivering just under 250,000 cars - not far behind the 310,000 sold by the Seat brand. Around a fifth of Cupra's sales were electric cars and another fifth were plug-in hybrids. Looking back on a strong year for his firm, Griffiths said recently: "The automotive industry faced major challenges in 2024, marked by unstable economic conditions, intense competition and industry-wide reluctance to buy fully electric vehicles. But these positive delivery figures encourage us to stay on track with our strategy. 'The upcoming months will test our determination as our transformation progresses. We are fully committed to electrification. However, we need urgent action from government and stakeholders to secure an electric future, because our industry is at stake." Speaking to Autocar in the wake of the announcement, Griffiths gave further details on the future of the Seat brand, which has been overshadowed by the rapid rise of its more premium sibling. Seat doesn't currently sell an electric car, but Griffiths said it "will need an EV for it to continue" and that a decision on when to launch one was due by the end of the decade. Meanwhile, Cupra is targeting further growth by expanding into the US market with a new line of more premium-focused EVs towards the end of the decade. Marking Griffiths' departure, Thomas Schäfer, the Volkswagen Group's core brands boss, said: 'Wayne Griffiths has done a great job in building the Cupra brand and restructuring the company. His understanding of the brand is remarkable. He is, in the best sense, a true car guy. We thank him for his excellent contribution and wish him all the best for the future.' ]]>
