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CUPRA and ABT announce new Formentor and Leon editions for 2026

From 2026 the CUPRA Leon and Formentor will be available with a customized version of ABT

CUPRA is expanding its collaboration with ABT with a lineup of customized vehicles, adding a new dimension to the brands’ relationship, moving beyond racing and onto the road.

CUPRA and ABT’s celebrated history in an emotional ride through racing and podiums. From the radical off-road racing Extreme E series in the most remote corners of the planet impacted by climate change as part of the ABT CUPRA XE team, to the single seat, all-electric excitement of Formula E, and the ABT CUPRA team.

Now the CUPRA-ABT story continues. From 2026 models including the CUPRA Leon and Formentor will receive an exclusive treatment to intensify their design. The CUPRA and ABT collaboration was presented at ABT’s headquarters in Kempten, Germany.

“The CUPRA and ABT collaboration has delivered iconic vehicles that mix the unconventional challenger brand’s ethos with ABT’s unique approach to performance. From the limited edition CUPRA Formentor VZ5 BAT x ABT and its raw road performance to fighting for results in race series including Extreme E and Formula E, the partnership has delivered sales and winsNow we’re taking it to a new level. Building on the incredible foundations to produce variants of some of the most desirable models from the heart of Barcelona to customers globally.”

CUPRA’s Executive Vice-President for Sales and Marketing Sven Schuwirth

The first CUPRA vehicles to benefit from the extended partnership with ABT are the CUPRA Leon and Formentor. The new versions will be available globally, showcasing the collaboration between the challenger brand and the high-performance of ABT.

The Formentor and Leon are enlivened with a new emotionality thanks to a unique range of subtle design prompts. A distinctive roof spoiler, front and rear splitter, side skirt, diffuser, aerodynamic parts and ABT identifying Elements. And 21” ABT-specific wheels further elevate each car’s posture.

CUPRA and ABT’s collaboration is inspired by the home of the challenger brand. Both the Leon and Formentor are designed, developed and produced at the brand’s factory in Martorell. Vehicles born in Barcelona and available worldwide.

“CUPRA and ABT have enjoyed an intensive and trusting partnership for many years, which is now being taken to a new level with this cooperation. We are happy to present a customized special edition of the CUPRA Formentor and Leon that carries the ABT denomination.” ABT has been upgrading CUPRA models both visually and technically for many years.

Hans-Jürgen Abt, CEO of the ABT Group

The two brands will continue to challenge conventions from Barcelona, with a future collaboration for the upcoming CUPRA Raval, the all-electric urban car driven by emotion, designed, and developed for a more rebellious electric world.

Cupra Jon

Active Member
Dec 10, 2024
13
5
Too much to be worth it, no doubt.
When you look at the previous ABT offering and what you got for the money - its insane when you break it down and perhaps the reason why the crazy RRP was wiped out not long after they went on sale...

Take a blank VZ3 and apply the following logic doing it yourself...

Performance - Racingline R600 induction and stage 1 map - taking you over 400bhp - £1400
Exhaust - FULL cat back offering from any of the big hitters - around £2.2k max (not just a back box like the akrapovic was)
Wheels - take your pick of anything and you'll get a decent package with tyres for a max of £3K (with the state of the UK roads 19"s are the biggest I would go)

Thats where my £6k or just over would go
 

Blade

Full Member
Aug 31, 2004
1,382
31
When you look at the previous ABT offering and what you got for the money - its insane when you break it down and perhaps the reason why the crazy RRP was wiped out not long after they went on sale...

Take a blank VZ3 and apply the following logic doing it yourself...

Performance - Racingline R600 induction and stage 1 map - taking you over 400bhp - £1400
Exhaust - FULL cat back offering from any of the big hitters - around £2.2k max (not just a back box like the akrapovic was)
Wheels - take your pick of anything and you'll get a decent package with tyres for a max of £3K (with the state of the UK roads 19"s are the biggest I would go)

Thats where my £6k or just over would go

However, in doing that you can kiss goodbye to your warranty which to a lot a people is worth its weight in gold.


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Cupra Jon

Active Member
Dec 10, 2024
13
5
Isnt that a risk we've all took over the years? Racingline have a solid pedigree in the VW/Audi/Seat world but I accept its still risk none the less, however I totally get your point on the warranty...like you say for some its what matters...
When I bought my Focus RS I did actually limit myself to their warrantied Mountune package for that very reason!
 
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Blade

Full Member
Aug 31, 2004
1,382
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However, in doing that you can kiss goodbye to your warranty which to a lot a people is worth its weight in gold.


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You also end up with nothing particularly special and have probably decreased the cars value, add to that increasing your insurance costs. Look at how the Leon Cupra R ST ABT has retained its value over the years….just saying


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Cupra Jon

Active Member
Dec 10, 2024
13
5
I guess the youngster in the 52 year old me still likes doing the mods myself instead of buying a "ready made" package :ROFLMAO:
You're not wrong on the insurance side of things though prices are mad now...
Ironically when my VZ3 arrives next week I'll be doing very little to it for the forseeable future apart from the ceramic coating its booked in for...I'm looking forward to seeing how it matches up against my current 2024 S3 although I'm looking forward to the elevated driving position for this ageing body :)
 

Blade

Full Member
Aug 31, 2004
1,382
31
I guess the youngster in the 52 year old me still likes doing the mods myself instead of buying a "ready made" package :ROFLMAO:
You're not wrong on the insurance side of things though prices are mad now...
Ironically when my VZ3 arrives next week I'll be doing very little to it for the forseeable future apart from the ceramic coating its booked in for...I'm looking forward to seeing how it matches up against my current 2024 S3 although I'm looking forward to the elevated driving position for this ageing body :)

Post up some pics when it arrives. I really need an estate so will be very interested when the specs/price are released.


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