Cupra Formentor road test by Steve Rogers
This is Seat
getting serious. The Spanish car maker has always been the sporty sibling in
the Volkswagen family and its new Cupra brand has taken it to another level.
Formentor, named
after a bay on the Spanish island of Majorca, is Cupra's first exclusive model
and is meant to make a big statement.
If this was a Seat it would be the Ateca SUV, yet it looks nothing like a Seat, and nothing like a bulky SUV, not that the neat Ateca falls into that class.
The designers have
been given the freedom to express and have come up with a futuristic coupe
crossover that looks as if it has landed from another planet. All we need if
for Martians to jump out to complete the fantasy.
It has that 'ready
to pounce' look with a long dipping bonnet, sloping roof and body panels with
so many slashes and creases it looks as if it has been in a scrap with a wild
animal. Exaggeration aside it looks great and has got everyone talking. I lost
count of the number who asked what it was and gave the thumbs up.
So this is a
crossover or SUV, whatever's your naming preference, that sits lower than the
majority, the only real clue to its status is the wide gap between tyres and
wheel arches, you don't even sit particularly high which makes it even more
appealing.
Formentor is a good
drive too and has the engines to back up its aggressive looks yet I am going to
make a bold statement: Look no further than the entry level 1.5 litre petrol!
I've been a fan of
this VW family engine since it was launched a few years ago because it is an
engine that keeps on giving, punchy, refined and good for 40 miles to the
gallon. Two of its four cylinders shut down when coasting to reduce engine
emissions and give a boost to economy. That's clever stuff.
Those seeking
something more racey can look to the 1.4 litre turbo hybrid or the outrageous
304hp 2-litre turbo that will reach sixty in under five seconds but you will be
looking to spend 40 grand plus for the pleasure.
Which bring us to
another good reason to stick with the entry 1.5 called V1. This is the best
equipped starter model I have come across with keyless entry, navigation, LED
headlights, and adaptive cruise control highlights of a generous spec sheet.
As expected inside
is digital dreamland with a treat for the driver who can choose from six
excellent binnacle displays, easily selected from switches on the steering
wheel. The display side bars are information overload but are easy to find and
easy to close.
Then we have the
12in 'floating' central touchscreen. I am not so sure it needs to be this big
and is a bit like putting a 56in flat screen tele in a box room. What's worse
is I found the system over complicated and most of the time used voice control,
and a very nice lady she is too ending commands with 'OK' or 'sure'.
She was a bit
puzzled when I asked for more fan speed because she calls it the blower but we
were all friends again after sorting that out.
There are touch
sensitive switches for heating temperature but they have no feel or sound so you
are never sure if anything has happened which means more time looking at the
switch and not the road.
Not enough though
to put me off Formentor which is a great driver's car with pedals perfectly
positioned and plenty of adjustment to get the perfect seating position.
Handling is solid even at V1 level but there is plenty more to come moving up
the grades.
It is not all about
performance either, the quality of trim is good with some neat touches while
the seats are comfortable and
supportive. Rear legroom is also generous although if feels claustrophobic
sitting fairly low behind the big front seats.
So a good first
effort for the Cupra brand, certainly offering something a bit different from
the norm with its coupe looks and good value for money to boot.
Fast facts
Formentor V1 6sp
manual
£27,3956
1.5 TSI petrol;
148bhp
0-62mph 8.9secs;
127mph
41.5mpg combined
143g/km. 1st VED
£215
Insurance group 19
Boot 450 - 1475
litres
