Cars

Electrified performance for Cupra Formentor

Cupra Formentor plug-in hybrid
Cupra Formentor plug-in hybrid Cupra Formentor plug-in hybrid

MORE hybrid action, this time from Seat's sporty sister brand Cupra, writes William Scholes.

The car in question is the Formentor e-Hybrid, a very of-the-moment coupe-meets-SUV.

It's the latest in Cupra's efforts to establish itself as a standalone nameplate rather than as the name used on the sportiest versions of Seat's models.

The hybrid set-up is familiar from elsewhere in the Volkswagen Group empire. That means a 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine paired with a 114bhp electric motor to create a maximum of system outputs of 242bhp and 295lb ft.

Acceleration is quoted as 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds, with a top speed of 130mph.

Arguably of more relevance with a hybrid are the potential savings in fuel bills and benefit in kind tax. Cupra say the Formentor is capable of as much as 188mpg and pumps out CO2 at the rate of between 33g/km and 35g/km.

That will equate to 11 per cent BIK from April.

The fuel consumption figure will, meanwhile, likely remain highly aspirational, unless you are able to drive everywhere using the electric-only ability of the car's 13kWh battery.

Cupra says this can give either 32 miles or 34 miles on a full charge, according to trim level.

It's a well equipped car, too, with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, sports seats, smartphone mirroring, a digital dashboard and other high-tech paraphernalia.

There's two trim levels for now, with a so-called VZ1 at £38,625 and VZ2 at £40,260.