The new Cupra Formentor line-up continues to expand with the introduction of a plug-in hybrid option, priced from £38,625 and packing a combined 242bhp.
The petrol-electric powertrain is shared with the eHybrid version of the recently launched Cupra Leon, mating a 148bhp 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with a 114bhp electric motor.
With the same combined power output as the new Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Formentor e-Hybrid hits 62mph from rest in 7.0sec and tops out at 130mph.
The electric element of the powertrain draws its reserves from a 13kWh lithium ion battery pack, which offers a WLTP-certified EV range of 32-34 miles, depending on options specified. It can be charged in around 3.5 hours from a 3.6kW AC domestic charger.
The e-Hybrid is capable of between 176.6mpg and 188.3mpg on the WLTP combined cycle while emitting 33-35g/km of CO2, which places it in the 10% business-in-kind tax bracket for 2020/21.
As with the Leon e-Hybrid, the Formentor is likely to be offered with a lower-powered 201bhp PHEV option shortly after the 242bhp model's launch.
The Formentor e-Hybrid is available in VZ1 trim or, for an extra £1635, VZ2. Design-wise, both cars feature 19in matt black or silver alloy wheels, electrically adjustable heated wing mirrors, LED lights at each end and scrolling indicators.
A 12.0in touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone mirroring, USB-C charging ports and tri-zone climate control are standard inside.
The VZ2 gains electrically adjustable heated sports seats with copper stitching, a heated steering wheel and bespoke badging throughout the cabin.
Safety features including high-beam assistance, blindspot monitoring and road sign recognition are fitted as standard, while VZ2 adds lane-change assistance and ‘semi-autonomous control’ emergency assistance.
The Formentor eHybrid will become available to order on 16 February.
Cupra plans to offer a total of seven powertrains in the crossover eventually. A performance range-topper, powered by the 395bhp turbocharged five-cylinder engine from the Audi RS3, was previewed last week ahead of its debut on 22 February.
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I know this may seem irrelvant in this article, but I don't understand why this isn't badged SEAT. It looks like one, it has the interior from one, the engines from one. It isn't different enough to me. SEAT should be the sporty one after all. The Ateca & Tarraco are aimed at families, but that is where Skoda is, and seems like a weird to be competing against each other with near identical cars. Skoda sold 70000 Kodiaqs to SEAT Terraco's 21000 in 2020.