Here is the CUPRA Formentor 2.5-litre VZ5 with 390PS and 0-62 in 4.2 secs – but not so fast..

[Rusty2k]

There is a RHD Formentor already, so not sure how complicated it would be to bring 5 cylinder to RHD. I'd expect the engine layout to be the same regardless of RHD/LHD and only differences in the interior (where they already have RHD version).

More likely explanation is that Audi allowed the engine to be used in only limited numbers (7000) and only LHD.

Oh yeah from a technical perspective it wouldn't be difficult at all. I don't think that's what he meant. I read it as him saying it's a limited-run Spanish product therefore LHD-only as a matter of principle.

I doubt the management of Audi themselves have a veto on any technology being used in other brands. Those will ultimately be group-level decisions. Continental Europe is by far the bigger market so I'm really not sure having an RHD model would be much threat to Audi's positioning of their 2.5 powered vehicles anyway.

But yes, reading between the lines I don't expect we will see the 2.5 in any other Cupra cars after this.

 

[Syphon]

I wrote about this at the start of the article in case you missed it. 7000 is not a small limited run compared to the MK3 Leon CUPRA R hatch which was made for RHD in really small numbers. I think it's an unnecessary snub by CUPRA.

 

[Syphon]

That's just silly now. By the same logic all SEAT cars should be LHD.

 

[Yaz2010]

Thing that bothered me most was why were they advertising this on uk website pre 22nd Feb when they had no intention of making one.

 

[ZBOYD]

That's just silly now. By the same logic all SEAT cars should be LHD.

I had to brush off the keyboard to comment on the fact that the good Dr Tietz is seemingly talking cobblers here (insert ruder word if you like).

To compare the argument for not green lighting a RHD model, to the fact a British racing car is sold in RHD only in Germany is total nonsense. If we are talking about racing cars here, and assume Dr Tietz is not naive enough to compare their flagship SUV to a race going touring car or GT spec racing car?

A proper racing car, for a start is stripped out and lightweight, certainly won't have a two tone interior with multi inch infotainment system, multi-zone climate control. They tend to have a centered driving position too, no interior, with the race seat moved back and centre, with a long offset steering column to aid in balancing the cars centre of balance.

Your halo top of the range 2.5Litre 5 pot SUV is not a racing car, it's a luxury top of the range sports utility vehicle, and for the sake of road vision safety in a country with a different side of driving, where its possible RHD should be built.

My opinion for what it matters, is that in regards to the grand plan CUPRA appear to be running scared somewhat! Whether that is due to competing at a price point amongst the more well known premium marques M-Sport, AMG, Audi RS etc, or they see demand dwindling due to high RRP's versus a currently stagnant car sales market.

All i can see here is a brand slipping a peek at a top spec car, and hunting for column inches, saying look at us, look what we did!!

If its a genuine product push, then build it, and sell it here in the UK in RHD, even if its build to order. If CUPRA have a genuine regard for this market, then bring the product to market, don't '***** tease' and make excuses.

It is way above my budget anyway, so my opinion probably doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, however if CUPRA are serious about being a contender in the market space it sees itself in, or at the very least is trying to portray with this top spec Formentor, then to quote Yoda, Do or Do not, there is no try!

 

[Seriously?]

I can't help thinking that they are trying too hard; as a brand if they concentrated less on being 'edgy' and more on what they are good at, making cars that perform, handle and punch well above their weight then they would find themselves in a much better place.
But then I am a fully paid up member of the League of Olde Pharts, so what do I know?

 

[Peyton]

Oh yeah from a technical perspective it wouldn't be difficult at all. I don't think that's what he meant. I read it as him saying it's a limited-run Spanish product therefore LHD-only as a matter of principle.

I doubt the management of Audi themselves have a veto on any technology being used in other brands. Those will ultimately be group-level decisions. Continental Europe is by far the bigger market so I'm really not sure having an RHD model would be much threat to Audi's positioning of their 2.5 powered vehicles anyway.

It could be a threat to their sales of RHD RSQ3/RS3 in the UK. The whole thing is illogical. It's a limited run edition so it won't hurt Audi bottom line in the long run but I struggle to find any other reason for snubbing UK market with VZ5.

That's just silly now. By the same logic all SEAT cars should be LHD.

It's completely ridiculous. When you buy an Aston Martin or a McLaren in Germany you don't get a RHD car. You get a LHD. Same applies if you buy a halo car from Japan, NSXs come in both variants RHD and LHD, same for Supras.

Mr. Tietz completely missed the mark.

I can't help thinking that they are trying too hard; as a brand if they concentrated less on being 'edgy' and more on what they are good at, making cars that perform, handle and punch well above their weight then they would find themselves in a much better place.
But then I am a fully paid up member of the League of Olde Pharts, so what do I know?

Completely agree. The whole thing about building a tribe, getting sneaker collaborations or lamp manufacturers makes zero sense from a consumer perspective. No one will be fooled that a corporate entity of VAG is an "edgy indie car manufacturer" nor will anyone make purchasing decisions based on sneaker collaborations.

Hopefully this type of marketing subsides and they focus on sportiness/motorsport aspects.

 

[jcbmally]

Hmmm, like the seat colour, would like the 2.5 but erm why the change from Brembo to what looks like standard Cupra brakes, not trust them !!!!!

 

[Peyton]

Hmmm, like the seat colour, would like the 2.5 but erm why the change from Brembo to what looks like standard Cupra brakes, not trust them !!!!!

They changed to Akebono. McLaren used those for their F1 cars.

But interesting that they changed from Brembos.

 

[Damo H]

@Syphon

The Cupra Formentor VZ5 will come to Britain

Cupra’s R&D boss says VZ5 will come to the UK, but only in LHD

www.topgear.com

 

[Syphon]

@Syphon

The Cupra Formentor VZ5 will come to Britain

Cupra’s R&D boss says VZ5 will come to the UK, but only in LHD

www.topgear.com

Yup see my rant in post 23 above.

 

[Damo H]

Yup see my rant in post 23 above.

Sorry missed that somehow

 

[Zephyr]

They changed to Akebono. McLaren used those for their F1 cars.

Well, from some years to now... talking about performance and adding McLaren on the same phrase is an oxymoron...

Looks like is a beancounter thing... maybe for offseting the additional cost of the 5Cyl needed to scrape some cents from here and there... but no idea about those akebono

 

[Damo H]

Well, from some years to now... talking about performance and adding McLaren on the same phrase is an oxymoron...

Looks like is a beancounter thing... maybe for offseting the additional cost of the 5Cyl needed to scrape some cents from here and there... but no idea about those akebono

Pretty sure they're from the very highly rated Mclaren road cars not the ill performing F1 team

 

[Rusty2k]

Well, from some years to now... talking about performance and adding McLaren on the same phrase is an oxymoron...

Looks like is a beancounter thing... maybe for offseting the additional cost of the 5Cyl needed to scrape some cents from here and there... but no idea about those akebono

They could well be the same 6-pot Akebono callipers that Audi have been using for a few years now, just painted a different colour.

edit: Just noticed the RSQ3 switched over to using Akebonos from last year. It's probably those on the Formentor.

 

[Damo H]

Couple of thoughts, not that it makes any difference, our of my price range and preferred driving position lol

Brakes - Do the new brakes come with correctly handed discs, ie not one disc vented correctly for one side of the car, only then for it to be fitted to the other side of the car no separate part, therefore vented incorrectly (Like the Sub8, R, Carbon, R ST, RS3, TTRS, RS6 etc). Tried to pause the video but no clear shot of the other side of the cards front brakes.

Seats, video has some even better looking seats, but the press photo have the same seats as the regular models.

 

[yak00]