Cupra
as an independent brand became a reality at the beginning of 2018. As usual in
these transitions, at the beginning, it had a reduced range that, basically,
were sports versions of Seat models such as the Ateca or the León. This was
maintained until 2020 when the turning point occurred that turned the brand of
Spanish origin into what it is today. We are talking about the arrival of the
Formentor, a model developed exclusively for Cupra.
The
success of this model was immediate; In fact, today it is still by far the one
with the most demand for the brand and is in the Top 20 registrations in our
country. And we are not talking about an 'affordable' model such as the Dacia
Sandero or the 'relative' of the Formentor, the Seat Arona, but its price
starts above 33,000 euros.
Hence,
in Cupra, they pay special attention to this model and they are not going to let
more time pass than necessary before updating it. And for the first time, the
images captured by SH Proshots photographers clear up some of the doubts we had
regarding his image. Of course, there are no surprises, since the most
important change will take place on the front, which acquires more rounded shapes
and is very similar to those released by the Tavascan.
On the
back, there are more unknowns, since the camouflage is more abundant in that
area, although there are no significant changes in the design. What's more,
they will most likely be reduced to a new distribution of the functions of the
rear lights and modifications to the bumper, along with some minor changes.
This
will be inside the new Cupra Formentor
At the
moment we do not have photos of the cabin. It is possible that in it we will
find some features in common with the Tavascan, although it will not be as
minimalist as the electric SUV; What's more, it is not at all ruled out that
Cupra, like other brands of the Volkswagen Group, chooses to recover some
physical controls, such as those of the air conditioning. For the rest, it will
receive an update to the connectivity and infotainment system, new upholstery, and a redesigned steering wheel.
Since
this is an update and not an all-new generation, you shouldn't expect any major
changes to the chassis or bodywork. The range of engines will be modified both
in the sense of the available offer and in the improvement of the efficiency of
the versions that are maintained.
We say
this because the Formentor has an exceptionally wide range. The offer begins
with the ever-compliant 150 hp 1.5 TSI petrol engine, available with both a
manual gearbox and a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. This version is
one of the most popular in the range, something that is not surprising at all
since it perfectly covers the needs of any type of customer.
At the
same height is the 150 hp 2.0 TDI diesel, which could well be one of the
victims. It is positioned as the ideal option for those people who do many
kilometers.
Up to
390 hp
Let's
continue with the gasoline offer, which today continues with a 190 hp 2.0 TSI
with front-wheel drive. It is followed by the intermediate configuration of
this two-liter block, this time with 245 hp and four-wheel drive. And just
above, the excellent 310 CV version, which precedes one of the great
protagonists of the Formentor range: the VZ5 with the mythical 2.5
five-cylinder engine that, for the occasion, yields 390 CV.
And
there is even more, this time also with the Zero label. These are plug-in
hybrids with 204 and 245 hp, both with a 1.4 TSI gasoline block and an electric
motor, always with front axle drive. These versions will probably receive the
update of the Volkswagen Group's PHEV system, which includes the replacement of
the veteran 1.4 blocks with the most recent 1.5, in addition to using a new
battery capable of providing an electric range of around 100 kilometers.
The new
Formentor will hit the market in 2024, probably after the Tavascan, scheduled
for the beginning of the year.
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