2022 Cupra Formentor detailed for Australia

Cupra Australia has detailed the spec-walk for its sharp-looking Formentor – its top-selling model globally – but no pricing as yet.

The 4450mm-long crossover will arrive in Australia in July alongside the Leon hatch and Ateca SUV, both of which were also detailed inside the past few weeks.

Unlike that pair, the Formentor was developed exclusively for the brand. It also accounts for a claimed two-thirds of its sales.

The launch variants for Cupra’s halo launch model are called Formentor V 4Drive, Formentor VZ, Formentor VZe, and Formentor VZx 4Drive.

Australian models will include a 180kW hotted-up option and a plug-in hybrid – immediately setting it apart from Volkswagen and Skoda.

2022 Cupra Formentor detailed for Australia

“As with the Leon and Ateca, the highest feasible level of standard specification has been our objective,” said head of product and planning Jeff Shafer.

Cupra is the fifth Volkswagen Group Australia sales company member here. The Seat brand from which it was spun off in 2018 is not one of them.

This market has been billed as a key part of an intended expansion beyond Europe and into the Asia-Pacific. Its positioning is to be sportier than Skoda and more affordable than Audi.

MORE: Q&A with Ben Wilks, Cupra Australia brand director

Note: Pictures are of the Formentor range-topping grade

Cupra Formentor V – the entry point

Power in the Leon V will come from a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine with 140kW and 320Nm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

It also comes with all-wheel drive, despite being the entry model listed.

Standard features will include:

18-inch black and silver alloy wheels, temporary spare
Metallic paint: Nevada White, Magnetic Tech, Magic Black, Asphalt Blue
Tyre pressure monitor
Heated, power-folding mirrors
LED headlights and daytime running lights
LED tail lights
Fog lights with cornering function
Auto high beam
Rear privacy glass
Rear spoiler
Welcome light with logo protection
Glossy black roof rails
Front and rear parking sensors
Dynamic chassis control, dampers

Inside

10.25-inch instruments
12-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Satellite navigation
Wireless phone charger
Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
4 x USB-C ports
Reversing camera
Cloth bucket seats
Three-zone climate control
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
Automatic headlights
Rain-sensing wipers
Leather, heated steering wheel with paddles
Keyless proximity entry and start

Safety

AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection
Lane-keep assist
Park assist
Blind-spot monitoring
Safe exit assist doors
Driver fatigue monitor
Emergency dial assist
Adaptive cruise control
Traffic jam assist highway mode
Pre-impact warning

Options

Leather and Power package: leather bucket seats, heated driver’s seat, power adjustment and memory, mirror memory function, hands-free power tailgate
Panoramic glass sunroof
Premium colours: Desire Red, Dark Camouflage, Graphene Grey

Cupra Formentor VZ – the higher-riding Golf GTI

Standard specification as above except for:

A Golf GTI-matching 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine with 180kW and 370Nm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive.
19-inch black and silver alloy wheels, temporary spare

Options