Cupra has formally launched its new Formentor model in Ireland, with prices starting at €37,135.
With the launch of the Formentor, the Cupra brand, launched in the Irish market in 2018, now consists of four models. These are the Cupra Leon, Leon Sportstourer, Ateca and Formentor.
The Cupra Formentor range starts from €37,135 for the 1.5-litre 150hp TSI model with a 6-speed manual transmission, rising to €40,885 with a DSG transmission.
At the top of the petrol range is the flagship 310hp 4Drive VZ model for €64,425.
There are two, 2.0-litre TDI diesel models with 150hp. The version with a 6-speed manual gearbox costs €39,135, while the DSG 4Drive version costs €45,975.
Pricing for the 204hp e-Hybrid starts from €39,895, with the more potent 245hp version starting from €50,130.
The Formentor e-Hybrid integrates a system that combines a 150hp 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine, a 115hp electric motor and a 13 kWh capacity lithium-ion battery, which Cupra says offers the best of both worlds in terms of performance and emissions.
The 245hp version offers 54 km of all-electric driving, a 0-100km/h time of just seven seconds and CO2 emissions of just 32g/km, the brand claims.
Cupra also outlined pricing for the new Leon Cupra PHEV models, with the 1.4-litre TSI 245hp version starting from €41,210 and the Sportstourer models starting from €42,060.
It says this model is expected to be the top-selling Leon and offers a full-electric range of 52km, with CO2 emissions of just 28.9-32.4 g/km.
There have been a range of new additions to the Cupra Ateca model, too, with the new 2.0-litre TSI 300 4Drive DSG costing from €66,065.
There will be a total of seven new electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEV ) models across the Seat and Cupra ranges, with the fully electric Cupra Born model coming to Ireland in early 2022. The Cupra Tavascan fully electric SUV is also set to join the Cupra range in 2024.
Speaking at the Formentor’s launch, Cupra brand director Niall Phillips says that the brand has now successfully distinguished itself from its sister company, Seat.
“Cupra has a bright future ahead. With the addition of the new Cupra brand, we are now a company with two distinct brands, both brands have completely different target groups, and both take on very separate roles in the Volkswagen Group,” Niall stated.
Phillips outlined the positioning of the Cupra brand as sitting between the mass and premium brands, with a range that will expand beyond the current line-up, especially in terms of electrification.
“Cupra will gain significant volume growth and market share relevance in the Irish market over the coming years as the product, electrification, awareness and retailer network become more established,” Niall added.
There are currently four Cupra retailers in Ireland – two in Dublin, one in Cork and one in Limerick – but Phillips outlined plans to double this retailer network by the end of the year.
“Each Cupra retailer will offer the customer a unique customer experience through the appointment of a dedicated Cupra specialist who will be the only point of contact throughout the sales and aftersales process for the customer,” Niall concluded.
