A little bit of Audi is heading to Barcelona in the new range-topping Cupra Formentor VZ5
Cupra has officially confirmed the Formentor crossover will soon be available with Audi’s turbocharged five-cylinder engine. This new VZ5 will be the first Volkswagen Group model outside of Audi to be fitted with the high-performance petrol engine, and will herald a new performance precedent for the fledgling brand.
Cupra has also revealed a teaser image portraying the rear end of the Formentor with a new, staggered exhaust layout, with four outlets in a similar layout to Lexus’ now-defunct GS-F supersaloon. This exhaust layout has also already been spotted on prototype vehicles, which also raised suspicion that Cupra could be inheriting this powertrain from Audi from its distinctive engine sound.
Being based on the same MQB component set as Audi’s RS3 and RS Q3 models that also feature the five-pot, its application in the new Formentor should be a relatively straightforward exercise.
While it’s impossible to know at this stage how much power a five-cylinder Formentor will produce in production form, the complexities of emissions regulations and the work Audi Sport has already done to certify this powertrain already should allude to a similar 394bhp figure for the Cupra.
The current flagship Formentor is powered by a 306bhp four-cylinder, which when augmented by the approved dealer-fit Abt kit rises to 345bhp, so it also makes little sense for Cupra to launch a five-cylinder version to sit above this unless it has close to the RS Q3’s 394bhp figure.
The rest of the package will no doubt be upgraded to accommodate the extra performance and weight associated with the five-cylinder engine, with larger wheel and tyre package and upsized brakes a definite.
The Formentor VZ5 will be revealed later this month, and while news of yet another performance crossover might sound at least initially disappointing, it’s introduction is a bigger statement about shifting dynamics within the Volkswagen Group, rather than just a new engine option in a small SUV.
This article originally appeared at evo.co.uk
Copyright © evo UK, Dennis Publishing
