CUPRA Formentor 2.0 TSI VZ3 ABT Edition 370PS Review

[Syphon]

What is it?



We drove the most expensive CUPRA model available in the UK, which comes in at £59,999. This is the UK’s answer to the 2.5-litre VZ5 with 390PS that we can’t get over here. It comes with extra power, new wheels, lowered suspension, an Akrapovic exhaust and more. Is it worth the extra £10,619 over the VZN we reviewed last year? And is it worth spending your money on with a new Formentor on the way? Read on to find out.




Verdict
Powerful, mean looking, great fun to drive but expensive. We had a hoot with the ABT Edition Formentor, it kind of makes up for the lack of the 2.5 litre, VZ5 in the UK, so we are very glad CUPRA UK have worked to make this a reality...

Continue reading...

 

[Syphon]

Review up of the new ABT Formentor - do you have one, do you want one, is it too expensive? Let us know in the comments below.

 

[Karbonfaiba]

Okay this should be a fairly simple calculation!

Considering my VZ2 310 list price of £39,970. This ABT leaves £20,029 on the table for tuning, any retrofits; 360 cameras, Beats, matrix LED. Aftermarket mods including; 200 cell downpipe, sports back exhaust, intake, intercooler, remapping, the modified insurance cost of running. Leaving out the sunroof and the fancy seats.

£59,999 could also get you a 1 year old used Vorsprung Audi RS3 or RSQ3.

No, I really don't think this ABT Edition Formentor is good value lol!

I'm pleased the review drew attention to how little the Akrapovič makes on the OPF EA888 too, very poor value indeed. Painted in standard black? At least the VZN has a cool exclusive colour! Lastly, still fitted with Brembo's despite the superior Akebono's on the VZ5? Sorry I cannot recommend this in the slightest, even with the unmodified vehicle benefit.

 

[H Rafiq]

Seen as they’re VAG, and they have a 2.5L RS3 engine at their disposal, why not give it to the sporty Seat side-branch CUPRA to put in one of their cars? It’d work great in a Leon too. Or would that then detract customers away from their RS3…

 

[Syphon]

Seen as they’re VAG, and they have a 2.5L RS3 engine at their disposal, why not give it to the sporty Seat side-branch CUPRA to put in one of their cars? It’d work great in a Leon too. Or would that then detract customers away from their RS3…

They do, we just don't get it here https://www.seatcupra.net/2021/02/2...h-390ps-and-0-62-in-4-2-secs-but-not-so-fast/

 

[H Rafiq]

They do, we just don't get it here https://www.seatcupra.net/2021/02/2...h-390ps-and-0-62-in-4-2-secs-but-not-so-fast/

Import? Actually, I think I’ll go with RS3 when funds allow…

 

[Syphon]

Import? Actually, I think I’ll go with RS3 when funds allow…

Yes some have been imported but limited numbers

 

[jcbmally]

There is a ABT in Cumbria dealership, it’s a nice car but I can’t get my head around the price of £60k. New S3 (333ps) is £45k+, RS3 (400ps) is £53k+. IMO the Formentor is better quality but not better value.

 

[Wyld Stallyn]

If I took my 3 year old 310 VZ3 and I threw £8,957 at it...

How much performance bang for my buck could I get..?

I love the idea

but not at £60k

I like the looks of the AKrobatic exhaust (saw em on a Non ABT Formentor in Snows Portsmouth). It was on 19"s and bot lowered neither.

I don't need the 20"s

I would want an exhaust with a box ram packed full of Rice Krispies for Snap, Crackle and Pops on command / demand

I don't need better seats.

Gimme a reprogrammed dsg? sure!

Track mode with the 155 limiter disconnected for those we hired a runway days

I do like the lower stance

But please please please can I have the eco mode message system sent to silicon heaven (where all the dead calculators go) where it shall ne'er be seen again.

Save the HALDEX!

 

[Phil Watson]

Finally got my (non-inlfammable) engine cover from my dealer and noted the new ABT jobbie so had a snoop. Thanks for the above comments as I was about to raid my savings again!I traded to a top spec VZ3 (from a 2015 B8 RS4) 2 years ago and was underwhelmed - my own fault! Took it to RichterSport to be dropped, + 60 bhp and ABT exhaust fitted = £5.5K which made it the right car. Love the idea of the Ak box and Cup seats but not at that price! I have a great daily driver, in warranty and fun on the twisties and wife none the wiser Happy wife etc etc etc

 

[pkaps]

ABT upgrade + springs = 3500 eur, thats too much I believe for a 60 hp gain, but so far ABT and MTM (a bit cheaper but in a similar fashion, i.e. via tuning box and not ICU reprogramming) appear to be the only viable solution.
Revo does it for abt 500 eur, same gains, but with reprogramming, I think I will try it when warranty runs out.

 

[Wyld Stallyn]

Revo does it for abt 500 eur, same gains, but with reprogramming, I think I will try it when warranty runs out.

This is the path I"m looking at.

CUPRA's 5 Year Warranty on new vehicles has imho de-valued older Formentors (ones without 5 year Warranty) and I for one am rather annoyed to say the least.

BUT

It does show confidence in the product quality to offer such a long term warranty. (Although it does leave you vulnerable to Main Stealers Open Wallet Surgery).

Having seen the choices, prices and quality of service offered by the Indy Specialists...

Once my Warranty expires the gloves come off...

And the power goes up.

 

[pkaps]

Mine is on a 4 year factory warranty.
If new ones come with a 5 year warranty then Cupra should offer the choice to the rest to purchase and upgrade the warranty to 5 years.
Not happening, I know!

 

[AntoniosL]

ABT upgrade + springs = 3500 eur, thats too much I believe for a 60 hp gain, but so far ABT and MTM (a bit cheaper but in a similar fashion, i.e. via tuning box and not ICU reprogramming) appear to be the only viable solution.
Revo does it for abt 500 eur, same gains, but with reprogramming, I think I will try it when warranty runs out.

Hi pkaps, what do you think about the Racingline upgrade package?

 

[pkaps]

Seems decent, although I would prefer something in the hp range of ABT/MTM/Revo that all go for 370..
Most probably 370 is in the safe range.

 

[Wyld Stallyn]

Anything more n the Gearbox will probably need some 'tweakage' too.

 

[Delanor]

Now the brakes have been tweaked I have decided to get my Race Chips tuning box which worked welI on my 190 bhp Formentor reprogrammed to use on the VZN, end result for £100 is approx` 370 bhp and torque up to 62Nm.

Its a bit cheaper than an ABT set up - but it would be rude not to!

 

[DangerMouseUK]

Did any of the donor VZ3 cars for the upgrades come with sunroofs? Looks like none of them did?

Also did they all come with Beats?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KJA]

After watching this seems not worth a penny.
They should do a refund

 

[pkaps]

Got to realize that you don't really pay for the ABT engine tuning, this costs about 2-3 thousand from ABT (which is still over the top as you can get even better tuning by REVO for about 500-600) but you mainly pay for the Akrapovich exhaust (worthless, only for show) , the carbon fiber seats (only foe show as well and not as comfy) and the 20 inch black wheels (not at all to my liking, dull and seem outdated, factory 19 inch diamond cut are much nicer) along some other minor add ons and the 1.5 cm lowering (springs only).
Dont think there is even a dsg tuning included, which should have been a must regardless of the just 60 hp claimed gain.