Poor economy?

[toffeemrd]

Hi all, just finished my first bi-weekly drive to the office earlier this morning, which is around 190 miles (Wiltshire to Leicestershire). Was disappointed with the MPG of 42.0, vs my previous 330e BMW, which usually got into the early 50’s. Driving was in comfort mode, ACC activated the majority of the way (at speed limits), with only a couple of bursts in Cupra mode pulling away from services and getting down some slip roads.

AC on low/off majority of way, battery recuperation on high (most of the way, didn’t see any significant MPG uplift with it on auto), screen on very low brightness.

Has anyone else had far better MPG on similar length journeys? If so, what did you do or recommend?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CosmicBlue]

What size engine has your Formentor got?

Not wishing to make things worse still but VAG car trip computers are not particularly accurate when it comes to fuel economy calculations - typically overstating reality by around 10%. As an example I had a 450 mile round trip from Warwickshire down into Devon and back again Saturday to Monday last weekend in my '23 Ateca 300 VZ2 , trip computer says 41.1 mpg, actual was 37.1 (brimmed tanks before and after), driven all the way in Comfort Mode. I'm perfectly happy with that.

 

[toffeemrd]

What size engine has your Formentor got?

Not wishing to make things worse still but VAG car trip computers are not particularly accurate when it comes to fuel economy calculations - typically overstating reality by around 10%. As an example I had a 450 mile round trip from Warwickshire down into Devon and back again Saturday to Monday last weekend in my '23 Ateca 300 VZ2 , trip computer says 41.1 mpg, actual was 37.1 (brimmed tanks before and after), driven all the way in Comfort Mode. I'm perfectly happy with that.

The 1.4 VZ2 245 Hybrid. Just trying to see if there’s anything else I can do, to get it slightly better (company car, so only paid HMRC mileage rate, so effectively costs me money at that rate). Think you will have the 2.0 engine, which will likely mean much better gearing and less RPM at motorway speeds (like my old 330e). Don’t really want to drop speed much, as will mean an even earlier start, which at 04:30, is early enough lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Naxterra]

Not sure how it will convert to mpg units but I have VZ 1.4 e-Hybrid and with full depot I can drive max 430-450km. Average consumption is between 9-12 liter / 100 km. I thought my old GLA 250 was bad but Cupra is worse.

 

[CosmicBlue]

The 1.4 VZ2 245 Hybrid. Just trying to see if there’s anything else I can do, to get it slightly better (company car, so only paid HMRC mileage rate, so effectively costs me money at that rate). Think you will have the 2.0 engine, which will likely mean much better gearing and less RPM at motorway speeds (like my old 330e). Don’t really want to drop speed much, as will mean an even earlier start, which at 04:30, is early enough lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yikes.

Just looked up the specs of 1.4 Hybrid, weighs 1701-kg (75 kg more than the 310PS version of the formentor), has 150PS and 250Nm of torque that engine is going to be working hard dragging all that mass around. Does the electric motor kick in at low speed, say around town perhaps?

 

[Naxterra]

Yikes.

Just looked up the specs of 1.4 Hybrid, weighs 1701-kg (75 kg more than the 310PS version of the formentor), has 150PS and 250Nm of torque that engine is going to be working hard dragging all that mass around. Does the electric motor kick in at low speed, say around town perhaps?

If I drive with 30 km/h, fuel usage increases to 22-25l/100km and it starts to recharge the electric motor. It turns a bit to normal when I drive 50km/h

 

[kevinb]

Interested to see this. I have had my 245 hybrid almost 2 years. I'm in Portugal where electricity is very expensive. I forever seem to be plugging it in to charge up, and even after a relatively short trip say 70Kms in hybrid mode, 80% of the battery has gone. My long term figures (2300Kms) are 13.2 Kwh per 100Kms, and 3.1 litres of fuel per 100Kms. That latter figure equates to about 90mpg, but the combined cost of fuel and electricity is about €8.50 per 100Kms.
I am looking at a Corolla 2 litre hybrid or maybe a Civic 2 litre, which should give me about 5 litres per 100Kms (56mpg), and that would cost exactly the same as the PHEV combined figure without the constant need to plug in. I love the Formentor to drive, but I am fed up with the charging. It all depends on what I am offered for the Cupra, I fear it will not be as much as I need!

 

[toffeemrd]

Not sure how it will convert to mpg units but I have VZ 1.4 e-Hybrid and with full depot I can drive max 430-450km. Average consumption is between 9-12 liter / 100 km. I thought my old GLA 250 was bad but Cupra is worse.

Just worked that out on Google and I managed 7.06 litres per 100km (40mpg) on today’s 190 mile drive back. That was mainly in Eco engine, so no real difference to comfort. May as well stick it in Cupra mode lol.

 

[toffeemrd]

Interested to see this. I have had my 245 hybrid almost 2 years. I'm in Portugal where electricity is very expensive. I forever seem to be plugging it in to charge up, and even after a relatively short trip say 70Kms in hybrid mode, 80% of the battery has gone. My long term figures (2300Kms) are 13.2 Kwh per 100Kms, and 3.1 litres of fuel per 100Kms. That latter figure equates to about 90mpg, but the combined cost of fuel and electricity is about €8.50 per 100Kms.
I am looking at a Corolla 2 litre hybrid or maybe a Civic 2 litre, which should give me about 5 litres per 100Kms (56mpg), and that would cost exactly the same as the PHEV combined figure without the constant need to plug in. I love the Formentor to drive, but I am fed up with the charging. It all depends on what I am offered for the Cupra, I fear it will not be as much as I need!

In terms of the 3ltr/100km, I’m assuming that’s with multiple battery charges included? Managed 7ltrs/100km on the 190 mile drive back (40mpg, one full charge) and that was in eco.

 

[toffeemrd]

Yikes.

Just looked up the specs of 1.4 Hybrid, weighs 1701-kg (75 kg more than the 310PS version of the formentor), has 150PS and 250Nm of torque that engine is going to be working hard dragging all that mass around. Does the electric motor kick in at low speed, say around town perhaps?

I wish the 310 was on the company car list lol! It’s the small size of the engine that’s clearly the issue - especially with that weight it’s pulling and that the box only has 6 gears, needs at least one more.

 

[toffeemrd]

Drive back was 40mpg, in the hidden Eco (may have ‘spent’ at least 1mpg in Cupra mode) mode. I’ll likely not look again at the economy on trips to the office, as it’s appalling IMO - will just enjoy a more spirited drive!

 

[dashnine]

I'd say around 40mpg is about right for constant cruising on a motorway at 70/75mph with little opportunity for regen. On A & B roads I find that goes up to around 50mpg with the slowing for bends, junctions, etc. where the car can do some regen. Wind resistance is a killer with this car (especially at speed in EV mode), I don't think it's that aerodynamic which will hurt the mpg.

I'm not sure setting regen to High makes much of a difference (other then let your rear discs go rusty through lack of use), more or less just gives you one pedal driving.

Overall mpg figures are irrelvent as it's just a function of how often you plug it in and drive in EV mode.

Interesting comparison with the 330e though as you have a direct comparison with the same journey..

 

[toffeemrd]

I'd say around 40mpg is about right for constant cruising on a motorway at 70/75mph with little opportunity for regen. On A & B roads I find that goes up to around 50mpg with the slowing for bends, junctions, etc. where the car can do some regen. Wind resistance is a killer with this car (especially at speed in EV mode), I don't think it's that aerodynamic which will hurt the mpg.

I'm not sure setting regen to High makes much of a difference (other then let your rear discs go rusty through lack of use), more or less just gives you one pedal driving.

Overall mpg figures are irrelvent as it's just a function of how often you plug it in and drive in EV mode.

Interesting comparison with the 330e though as you have a direct comparison with the same journey..

The main difference and issue with the Formentor vs the 330e, is the BMW has a 2.0 engine (pretty sure it’s turbo which kicked in far lower RPM too) to give it far more efficiency in pulling the weight. Plus the Cupra (I believe) only has 6 gears, needs one more.

 

[Karbonfaiba]

I've shared my comments on this subject before; but reading this thread just adds to my thoughts that all Formentor hybrid models have a very confused identity.

Too many engine choices exist for the Formentor; I believe the hybrid choices primarily exist to make sure CUPRA is filling a market position for company car tax exemptions. I just cannot see any reason for a private consumer to purchase it on a technical basis, sorry.

I certainly don't think anybody should be purchasing a hybrid Formentor for economy reasons, considering the competition. You should drive this hybrid spiritedly, make sure it's the most powerful electric motor, has AWD and is always fully charged - in this way it makes somewhat more sense, if you couldn't afford the 310 VZ, but it's still slower! The DSG is a performance gearbox, hybrids suit a torque convertor much better and I think the Formentor is design locked for the DSG. The Formentor is a crossover with extra height working against drag coefficients, it is not an efficient motorway cruiser. As discussed, weight is also the enemy of performance and efficiency, the hybrid is heavier.

Not questioning any subjective or emotive reason for buying it here... but if it's for economy; you are looking at the wrong vehicle, and I think more word needs to be spread about that. They really tried to make the Formentor a jack-of-all-trades for their first CUPRA.

 

[toffeemrd]

I've shared my comments on this subject before; but reading this thread just adds to my thoughts that all Formentor hybrid models have a very confused identity.

Too many engine choices exist for the Formentor; I believe the hybrid choices primarily exist to make sure CUPRA is filling a market position for company car tax exemptions. I just cannot see any reason for a private consumer to purchase it on a technical basis, sorry.

I certainly don't think anybody should be purchasing a hybrid Formentor for economy reasons, considering the competition. You should drive this hybrid spiritually, make sure it's the most powerful electric motor, has AWD and is always fully charged. The DSG is a performance gearbox, hybrids suit a torque convertor much better and I think the Formentor was designed for the DSG. The Formentor is a crossover with extra height working against drag coefficients, it is not an efficient motorway cruiser. As discussed, weight is also the enemy of performance and efficiency, the hybrid is heavier.

Not questioning any subjective or emotive reason for buying it here... but if it's for economy; you are looking at the wrong vehicle, and I think more word needs to be spread about that. They really tried to make the Formentor a jack-of-all-trades for their first CUPRA.

Get the point on the AWD, but that would only add to the weight and drag down the MPG. Only one battery choice I believe and you’re right in that it’s clearly designed for BIK tax benefit - as I’ve experienced with previous car (330e) vs my diesel Passat R line (twice as much coming out of pay vs hybrid). If only that 310 was on the car list lol

 

[sam290989]

I've shared my comments on this subject before; but reading this thread just adds to my thoughts that all Formentor hybrid models have a very confused identity.

Too many engine choices exist for the Formentor; I believe the hybrid choices primarily exist to make sure CUPRA is filling a market position for company car tax exemptions. I just cannot see any reason for a private consumer to purchase it on a technical basis, sorry.

I certainly don't think anybody should be purchasing a hybrid Formentor for economy reasons, considering the competition. You should drive this hybrid spiritedly, make sure it's the most powerful electric motor, has AWD and is always fully charged - in this way it makes somewhat more sense, if you couldn't afford the 310 VZ, but it's still slower! The DSG is a performance gearbox, hybrids suit a torque convertor much better and I think the Formentor is design locked for the DSG. The Formentor is a crossover with extra height working against drag coefficients, it is not an efficient motorway cruiser. As discussed, weight is also the enemy of performance and efficiency, the hybrid is heavier.

Not questioning any subjective or emotive reason for buying it here... but if it's for economy; you are looking at the wrong vehicle, and I think more word needs to be spread about that. They really tried to make the Formentor a jack-of-all-trades for their first CUPRA.

Don't agree entirely with this. I chose the 245 hybrid as wanted a fun drive on occasion, but my usual commute is less than 30 miles round trip and I can do it all on ev only. With night time octopus rate it costs me about a quid of electricity to fully recharge. Much cheaper than equivalent petrol cost if I went for a non hybrid version.
Agree though that the combined mpg figures aren't great but it's the balance that works for my life

 

[dashnine]

Don't agree entirely with this. I chose the 245 hybrid as wanted a fun drive on occasion, but my usual commute is less than 30 miles round trip and I can do it all on ev only. With night time octopus rate it costs me about a quid of electricity to fully recharge. Much cheaper than equivalent petrol cost if I went for a non hybrid version.
Agree though that the combined mpg figures aren't great but it's the balance that works for my life

^ This. Mirrors my thoughts exactly - plus I get to charge at work for free (shhhh, don’t tell the taxman) so my commuting costs are zero, as well as Octopus when back at home. I track both my cars economy out of interest, not need and anything with mpg numbers better than my weekend car is a bonus.

 

[Karbonfaiba]

Okay, but to me, this sounds like better reasoning for driving an Audi e-tron or BMW iX1.

You both have accepted some form of charging regime in your lifestyle. Why not go the full monty? I mean, is it the mighty 1.4-litre TSI every time it fires up?

Tbh, I don't even find the EA888 to have that much appeal... but on paper, it makes much better sense for the Formentor in leu of being denied the EA855 in the UK which I would have saved for.

On the other side of the fence, I hope the CUPRA Tavascan is also so successful that no PHEV Formentor facelift has to exist*.

*with exception for any mild hybrid Formentor eBoost / torque fill as the only proper way to enhance performance with batteries imo.

 

[dashnine]

You both have accepted some form of charging regime in your lifestyle. Why not go the full monty?

The ridiculous cost of a full EV offering same size, range, etc.? Still not convinced by charging infrastructure. Would be interested in the Tavascan but it’s going to cost significantly more than another Formentor PHEV.

is it the mighty 1.4-litre TSI every time it fires up?

No, it’s the sound of the fake five cylinder warble…