TEST Cupra Formentor VZ5 – we drive Lewandowski’s car

The Cupra Formentor VZ5 is a unique car. This is not only the most powerful Cupra on offer, but also a very limited edition. Robert Lewandowski also drives a similar car. Here is a test of the most powerful Cupra on the market.

Cupra is doing very well on the Polish market. In the first half of 2023, the Spanish brand sold 4,250 cars in our country, which is an increase of about 243%. (1,748 copies) compared to the same period in 2022. In addition, according to data from CEPiKIn July, Cupra Formentor was in 9th place (584 units) in the list of the most frequently selected models in Poland.

The great advantage of Formentor is its good design, rich equipment and cheap price compared to the competition. Cupra Formentor VZ5 has all these features, but it is a completely different version from the others.

The Cupra Formentor VZ5 is an unusual car

It is very difficult to assign this model to a specific category. It is not a typical SUV or a typical hatchback, because it has a high roof. In terms of dimensions, it is close to the cross, although Cupra already has a representative in this segment – Ateca. You could say that Formentor is a little unusual, which definitely works in its favor.

Its design is very aggressive, dominated by sharp shapes, and sporting features such as four exhaust tips, large rims that also cover the large brakes and air intakes, indicate that there is something fun under the hood, but more on that in short time.

The strong character is further emphasized by the optional color Petrol Blue Matt, which requires a steep surcharge (more than PLN 10,000), but thanks to it the Cupra Formentor VZ5 attracts attention on the street.

Let’s add that the Spaniards produced only 7,000 copies of this model, and one of them is used by Robert Lewandowski as a company car. Currently, there is no point in looking for the VZ5 version in the configurator, but when selling this car cost at least PLN 312,000. That’s almost 100,000. PLN more than VZ version with TSI 2.0 engine. Is it worth paying so much extra?

Under the hood of the Cupra Formentor VZ5 we have Audi technology

The main violin here is played by the car unit. The 2.5-liter inline five is a very raw engine. Its roots lie in Audi, dating back to the 1980s, when Walter Röhrl was behind the wheel of the R5-engined Audi Quattro. Currently this unit is in RS Q3 and RS3.

The rawness of the engine can be felt especially during the “cold start”, when the engine revs up and even runs rough for a few seconds, which gives character and builds tension before what follows. And there is still a lot going on.

The driver has 390 HP and 480 Nm of torque at his disposal, which, together with the seven-speed DSG gearbox, gives a time from 0 to 100 km/h of 4.2 seconds. No other Cupra goes this fast (at least not the production one). Acceleration is accompanied by the characteristic, raw rumble of the R5 engine, attracting unobtrusively loud sound from the speakers.

Cupra Formentor VZ5 or ABT

The engine likes high revs, sometimes even turbo lag appears, but it does not interfere with everyday driving. The DSG gearbox is set correctly, although sometimes the gear is engaged too quickly, which causes the engine to tire at low revs.

The manual mode in the DSG gearbox works well, although sometimes we would like to feel more important gear changes. The size of the converters in the gearbox is also not up to the level of almost 400 HP under the hood. They just need bigger (and preferably copper).

“Lewy” drives comfortably

Inside, we are greeted by stylish carbon bucket seats. We’ve already praised Cupra for the Leon seats and we were not disappointed here either. Armchairs are an example of ergonomics, design and comfort. In the Formentor VZ5, they are decorated with blue leather, which matches the color of the paint.

The suspension of the Formentor is not too stiff, despite the large 20-inch rims, we did not complain about the driving comfort. The difference between Comfort and Sport or Cupra models is significant. In sports modes, the car becomes very stiff, which increases speed in corners, although when cornering at high speed, you can feel that the Cupra is suspended higher than a traditional hatchback, for example, Leon. In our opinion, the suspension of the Cupra Formentor VZ5 is the perfect compromise between everyday driving comfort and a powerful and fast sports car. Lewandowski shouldn’t complain…

A new Cupra for PLN 1?!

The Cupra Formentor VZ5 is an experiment that will never be repeated

As we mentioned at the beginning, the Cupra brand is doing well. And not only in Poland, but the highest sales are recorded in Europe. This is due to vehicles with proven VW technology, distinctive design and good value in terms of equipment.

The Cupra Formentor is the best model on the street, although it’s unlikely you’ll see a VZ5 version there. You can recognize it by its big brakes and, above all, the vertical bronze exhaust tips. Nowadays, a car with a five-cylinder engine has a short life and it is unlikely that another “variation” will appear. Even Audi is withdrawing from producing models with this engine.

Currently, you can still find the Cupra Formenta VZ5 on the secondary market, but it must be understood that this is a car for the connoisseur. The version with the 310 HP 2-liter engine is also perfect for everyday driving, as well as when you want to have a little fun. Paying several thousand extra for one cylinder and a tenth of a second during acceleration does not make sense from a rational point of view. The Cupra Formentor VZ5 will remain in our memories as a good experiment that the VW group will probably never repeat.

Photo Konrad Maruszczak