Born to race – Cupra on track

Cupra first emerged as a standalone brand seven years ago, but the Spanish manufacturer’s history goes back almost 30 years as the motorsport subsidiary of SEAT. The racing heritage is evident in all models in the Cupra range, with their signature aggressive triangular styling and a low seating position that makes you feel cocooned in the driver-focused cockpit. This is especially true in their sporty VZ models, and it’s on the track where you can really explore those characteristics. 

We recently hit the circuit at Hampton Downs to cut some laps. Starting off in the largest and most practical car in Cupra’s lineup, the Terramar VZ makes 195kW and 400Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo. It’s slightly down on power compared with Cupra’s other VZ offerings, but in Performance mode, it’s no slouch, cutting out the 0-100 sprint in 5.9sec. It handles well, the adaptive dampers now have twin-valve shocks keeping it planted through the bends, along with a new generation of the Dynamic Chassis control system. What you really notice is the progressive steering, which builds up weight as you increase lock and speed. It feels very accurate, and the response you get feels really accurate and connected. Not quite Porsche Macan good, but close, and easily best in class. Inside, you really feel like you’re driving something sporty, sitting low in the bolstered seat. It has a driver-focused interior, accented with the signature Cupra bronze and pulsing ambient lighting, a black headliner and drive mode buttons on the steering wheel. The large tacho display makes it easy to hit your shifts on the paddles. 

Next, we stepped into the Formentor VZ. Smaller and 136kg lighter, it also has an extra 50kW and 20Nm to boot (0-100 in 4.8sec). It’s even more sporty and focused than the Terramar VZ. This example had the Akrapovic exhaust, which made some nice sounds as you shift through the seven-speed twin clutch, although some of that is coming from the speakers (you can turn it off if it’s not your thing), but at $7400, the pipes are an expensive optional extra. The Formentor VZ is probably the most dynamic compact C-segment crossover currently available. The AWD keeps it stuck in the corners, and the torque splitter rear diff helps rotate the VZ. Like the Terramar VZ, it has the same great feedback from the steering. If you want a driver’s crossover, this is probably your best option. If $87,500 seems expensive, think of it as giving you a taste of the Porsche Macan experience but for $50,000 less. Also on hand was the Formentor VZ Cup Racing Edition, a locally developed special that comes laden with optional extras.  

Finally, we stepped into the Leon Sportstourer VZ. It has the same power and torque as the Formentor VZ and is slightly lighter again. But the biggest difference is the lower centre of gravity. If you can live without the ivory tower seating position that SUVs command, this works in your favour when putting it through the bends. Also assisted by adaptive dampers and a torque-splitting rear diff, it drives much like the Formentor VZ. When put in drift mode on the skid pan, it was an absolute hoot, though I wonder how many would use this in the real world. 

The future is looking exciting for Cupra, with lots of special editions arriving soon, including Tribe Editions which will be available for the entire current range and allows you to spec your Cupra with special paint colours and finishes, unique alloy wheels and interiors with 3D knitting with lots of sustainable materials and manufacturing processes. 

The Formentor VZ5, will also be available locally. The hypo SUV gets the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine borrowed from the Audi RS 3, producing 287kW and 480Nm. With only 4000 units being made globally, you’d better get in quick to secure the limited number VZ5s allocated for New Zealand. 

Another special edition is the Formentor Abt Sportsline. Cupra partnered with Abt in Extreme E in 2021-2023 and F in Formula E from 2022-2024. Abt has taken the VZ and increased power to 294kW and 470Nm, along with adding 20- or 21-inch Abt wheels. You can further enhance it with optional extras like a Abt exhaust system and springs that drop the ride height a further 35mm.