Test drive we went: Cupra Formentor VZ5 // A bold move
History of success. Anyway, I could briefly describe the few years since Cupra gained independence in Seat, which, instead of being the label for Seat's sportiest models, has become a completely independent brand. Of course, it is the desire for more independence and, above all, the added value that can be created with a new brand, a brand that is no longer Seat, but also represents some of the other values that were with this massive Spanish brand. the brand (of course, Cupra is still owned by Seat) may be in the background, but there are no longer those constraints that limited the brand's designers and strategists so much (you can readily read: financial constraints).
The VZ5 is the latest and most extreme model, embodying Cupro and everything that ideologue strategists have loved to ascribe to this brand. Of course, you know Formentor, because it has been on the market for a long time in our country, at the same time it The most successful Cupra model as two of the three models sold by this new brand are Formentor. So, of course, it makes sense that the most powerful model has become rights - Formentor. But it's true that it The VZ5 is probably the last such extreme model to be powered by a (simply) internal combustion engine. There are already six PHEV models on offer, with the first all-electric (BEV) coming soon. It will, of course, be Born, which could hit the market as early as the end of the year, followed by Tavascan in 2024.
But by then, some more water will have passed, and by then all the 7.000 versions of the VZ5 that will be released will have long been in the possession of the owners. Why 7.000, you ask? The solution fell somewhere at the very top. More of this has to do with exclusivity, but probably also with the supply of Audi's five-cylinder engines that rotate in this 'nadFormentorio'.
As you may have guessed, the source of this model's power is the legendary 2,5-liter five-cylinder engine, which still excites the mood, the winner of numerous "Engine of the Year" awards. Audi is keeping a close eye on where their precious five-cylinder might go, but obviously Cupra's managers got their vision right. Well, for example, there has been a lot of talk that such an engine would also have an edge over golf, but Audi was not overly enthusiastic about the idea.
The five-cylinder engine, which also powers the new RS3 and RS Q3, is capable of producing 287 kilowatts (390 "horsepower") and 480 Newton-meters of torque in the Formentor. This is reportedly enough to accelerate the compact crossover to 100 kilometers per hour in just 4,1 seconds. Of course, there is also four-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG gearbox. adaptive damping (the Cupra speaks of 15 degrees) with stiffer springs... They do not provide the latest information, but they say that it is 10 millimeters closer to the ground, that the clamps are stronger and that the wheels even have a small negative slope, progressive steering rack. And there is a complete shutdown of the ESC system.
Well, did you like it? If not, let me also mention the rear differential technology, which is very similar to the recently introduced Audi RS3 and Golf R (and of course another model before them, say the Ford Focus RS). This is the so-called torque sharing system, which works through an open differential. Each rear-wheel drive axle has two computer-controlled hydraulic multi-disc units that can simulate the operation of both open and closed differentials. At the same time, it also distributes torque very flexibly between the two wheels - from 0 to 100, which helps decisively in turns, and 50:50 between the front and rear axles.
The classic multi-plate all-wheel drive clutch in front of the rear differential can only do this when one of the wheels is slipping. In addition to the classic programs, it also offers the Drift program ...
Fortunately they at Cupra they are confident enough to take us with this version to the racetrack where you can try all this and more.... Anyone who has driven a production car with the same aggressiveness on a racetrack knows that laps on a racetrack are as demanding for a sports model as an amateur runner would like to run a marathon. Especially on the varied Chestelolli circuit, with exceptional grip in the excruciating heat and with many ups and downs.
Yes, a funny training ground ... While waiting for the start, I looked around the cabin - nothing really new, except, of course, a steering wheel with two satellites for installing programs (immediately switched to Race, what else) and start. And the graphics of the pressure gauges, of course, are different. The VZ5 surprises with the power of torque in the back after the start.at least compared to the most powerful 4.500-liter model, although for all its potential a little more rotation is required, at least over XNUMX rpm there.
I felt and tasted the first few turns, but it's a (rather tall) crossover. Then the confidence grew - the grip anywhere and at any time is exceptional, the body structure is progressive. I was able to accelerate sharply from the corners to the top, where you can really feel the rear axle helping to push the front end into the corner. In this torture, the brakes certainly deserve a mention. The larger discs with a diameter of 375 x 35 millimeters are really strong and the Akebono's jaws dig into them beautifully.
Well, the Race program has its limitations too. He reminded me of this by pivoting a little more boldly on the curbs as the roaring five-cylinder engine coughed up a bit before he breathed fully again and I was able to drive it to the top, while the needle on the tachometer (digital, of course) was approaching 7.000. … And the gearbox itself is more decisive, faster and with sufficient mechanical shock.
Of course, all this is even more pronounced on the road at lower speeds and grip, which is much worse on well-covered asphalt than on a race track. Above all, the maneuverability on short and fast turns is impressive, there the work and influence of Torque Splitter becomes even more familiar, the rear even wants to slip a little, and the electronic guardian angel intervenes at least a little later, at least in the specified party.
In the first hour
2 minute: Wow, how nice the seats hug the whole body, especially in the upper part and in the shoulder girdle ...
7 minute: Petvaljnik res sune in suva
23 minute: The sound is recognizable, but too muted, the metal throat is too uncharacteristic.
55 minute: As I rummage through the settings, Drift shows a few turns that the rear can be very interesting.
