Cupra Formentor VZ5: 390hp Five-Cylinder Return

Cupra is bringing back its wildest creation — and for the first time, Britain gets to join the party. The Formentor VZ5, powered by a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 390hp, has been confirmed for the UK in right-hand-drive form, according to Parkers (11 September 2026). The five-cylinder engine is the star of the show. It is the same characterful unit that made the original VZ5 a cult favourite, and it makes this Formentor the most powerful car Cupra has ever built. Drive goes to all four wheels, and the soundtrack — a warbling five-cylinder growl — is something increasingly rare in an era of downsized hybrids and EVs. This is a strictly limited-run machine. Cupra will build just 4,000 examples worldwide, with production due to start in early 2026, so UK allocations are expected to be small and demand strong. The revised model gets a bolder look to match the performance: a more aggressive front bumper, wider wheel arches, copper-tipped diagonal exhausts and 20-inch alloy wheels unique to the VZ5. Inside, Cupra promises a more 'premium' cabin than before, and the VZ5 will be offered in several new matt and metallic colours, including Century Bronze and Enceladus Grey, both exclusive to this model. The VZ5 sits at the very top of Cupra's range as the brand's loudest expression of performance before it shifts fully to electric power in the coming years. For enthusiasts, it is very much a last-of-its-kind proposition: a big, charismatic petrol engine in a practical crossover body, at a time when such things are disappearing fast. UK pricing has not yet been confirmed, but with only 4,000 cars for the whole world, interested buyers would be wise to register their interest with Cupra dealers early rather than waiting for the configurator to go live. What it means for UK drivers: after years of watching from the sidelines while Europe got the five-cylinder VZ5, British buyers finally get their chance — but they will need to be quick. Limited numbers, a legendary engine and Cupra's performance-bargain positioning could make this one of 2026's most sought-after enthusiast cars.

Cupra Formentor VZ5 Returns with 390hp Five-Cylinder — And This Time It Is Coming to the UK