First Cupra PHEV lands in local dealerships

The first Cupra plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has arrived in New Zealand dealerships in the shape of the Formentor V e-hybrid.

It is priced from $78,500 drive away and for now is eligible for a Clean Car Rebate of $4025.

It becomes the fourth member of the Formentor family available in New Zealand which is the Cupra brand’s best-selling model line in this country.

The Leon Sportwagon which Cupra NZ says is also popular with buyers, will also offer an e-Hybrid variant priced from $77,900 which will be available in dealerships from January 2024.

Cupra New Zealand general manager James Yates says dealers have received some pre-orders for the Formentor V e-Hybrid putting this down to buyers wanting to take advantage of the rebate while it lasts. 

According to Cupra New Zealand the specification of the V e-Hybrid is similar to the Australian market’s VZe variant but with yet more standard features, including dynamic chassis control suspension.

The V e-Hybrid is very similar in specification to the Formentor VZ with the exclusion of the top view camera, the Beats Audio package, and the satellite buttons on the steering wheel.

Because the 12.8 kWh battery is mounted under the rear passenger seat, the 40-litre petrol tank has been relocated to the area normally designated for a spare wheel, hence the V e-Hybrid comes with a tyre repair kit rather than a space-saver emergency wheel and tyre combo.    

At the rear the V e-Hybrid is also distinguished by simulated exhaust pipes in copper, and the Copper finish on the 19-inch Alloy wheels is an additional $600. Opting for the 19-inch machined Copper Aero wheels is $1500 and the machined Copper II wheels are an additional $2000.

Standard colours include Candy White, Nevada White, Midnight Black, and Magnetic Tech. Graphene Grey and Desire Red are an additional $850, and Magnetic Tech Matte or Petrol Blue Matte are an additional $3500.

Under the bonnet the electrified powertrain combines a 110kw/250Nm 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and an 85kW/300Nm electric motor allied to a six-speed dual clutch transmission for a total output of 180kW/400Nm. 

It offers a pure electric range of 54km, and always starts off in e-mode as the default setting, but drivers can choose if they want to operate in hybrid mode or a save charge mode to operate in electric only at a later time in the journey. 

It comes standard with a Mode 2 charging cable with three-pin plug and takes five hours to recharge a fully depleted traction battery.

The Formentor V e-Hybrid will sprint from zero to 100km/h in 7 seconds but will return combined fuel consumption of 1.7L/100km.