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CUPRA FORMENTOR VZ5 UNVEILED WITH AUDI 5-POT ENGINE

Cupra is marking its 3rd anniversary with a bang unveiling the Formentor VZ5, which comes with 385bhp and 354lb ft of torque.

The Cupra Formentor is the brand’s first standalone model, meaning you won’t see an equivalent Seat on the road. While previously the top dog of the range was the tried and tested 2.0-litre turbo EA888 motor, here, the Cupra Formentor VZ5 gets a similar version of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine found not only in the Audi TT RS and RS3, but also in the RS Q3, too.

Cupra Formentor VZ5: what you need to know

As you’d imagine, being a halo model means you get the full works thrown at you, and not just in the engine department mentioned above. At the rear, the exhaust is now a Lexus RC F-esque stacked quad exhaust, while extended wheel arches hide 20-inch wheels with Akebono six-piston brakes up front to help stop all that power.

As mentioned, underneath the bonnet is the 2.5-litre engine, which produces 385bhp and 354lb ft of torque here. Official figures have the Cupra Formentor VZ5 excellerating from 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds, interestingly, that’s 0.3 seconds quicker than Audi’s RS Q3. It’ll go on to a limited 155mph.

Thankfully, Cupra has focused entirely on performance, dropping the ride 10mm for a sportier stance, while the 4Drive all-wheel drive system has been designed to optimise traction at all times.

Inside, the performance vibe continues with a flat-bottom steering wheel equipped with gearshift paddles, a Cupra mode button and engine start-stop. You also get some pretty serious bucket seats, too.

Just 7000 examples are being built but here’s the kicker, all will be left-hand drive only. Not to worry, though, it’s suggested that some models will officially be imported into the UK and expected to cost around £50,000.

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February 22, 2021
Should the C8 Chevrolet Corvette look more like a Corvette?

As the first production mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette, the C8 broke new ground for the sports car. But does the C8 actually look like a Corvette? Hot rodder Chip Foose doesn’t think so, and he offered his opinion on how to improve the design in a video posted to YouTube.

Foose said one of things he liked most about the Corvette was the clear evolution of its design over the first seven generations. That abruptly ended with the C8, as the proportions were completely changed to accommodate an engine behind the driver.

A mid-engine layout brings significant performance benefits, which helped the C8 win Motor Authority’s Best Car To Buy award, but it also erased the Corvette’s heritage, according to Foose, who believes the C8 is too generic looking, and too easily confused with other mid-engine cars like the Acura NSX.

Chip Foose draws the Chevrolet Corvette C8

Foose’s solution, as laid out in a sketch, takes more styling cues from the previous-generation C7 Corvette. Foose used the front-fender vents from the C7, flipping them around to serve as air intakes for the mid-mounted engine. Foose’s version also has more pronounced rear haunches and a longer hood, linking it more closely to the C7 and continuing that evolutionary line.

That design DNA may soon get stretched to its limits, if reports that Chevy is mulling a Corvette-badged electric SUV prove true. That would take advantage of General Motors’ new Ultium battery system, and give Chevy a competitor to the Ford Mustang Mach-E but, as far as we know, the plan hasn’t been approved.

The traditional Corvette could also go electric eventually, as part of GM’s “aspiration” to eliminate tailpipes from its passenger-car lineup by 2035. That would certainly open up a lot of design possibilities.

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February 21, 2021
2022 McLaren Artura, 2022 GMC Hummer EV, Aston Martin Valkyrie: This Week’s Top Photos

McLaren’s newest supercar is the Artura, and it’s a plug-in hybrid that relies on a V-6 as its internal-combustion component. Peak power is 671 hp and there’s enough battery capacity for a small electric range.

2022 Porsche 911 GT3

Another new car revealed this week was the 992-generation 911’s GT3 variant. We’re glad to report that Porsche has stuck to the proven formula of a naturally aspirated engine, lightweight construction, and an available manual transmission.

2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

The new 911 GT3, just like the last one, will eventually spawn a more civilized Touring variant. Our latest spy shots show the new GT3 Touring which should be coming later this year. Notice it doesn’t have the huge rear wing of the regular car.

2022 GMC Hummer EV spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Another upcoming vehicle spotted testing this week was the GMC Hummer EV. The battery-electric lifestyle pickup truck is coming this fall with up to 1,000 hp and 350 miles of range, and an SUV body style is also in the works.

2022 Hyundai Kona N Line

For performance fans on a budget, Hyundai has a new Kona N Line headed shortly to showrooms. The hot crossover comes with a turbocharged engine good for 195 hp, and if that’s not enough Hyundai is preparing an even more powerful Kona N for launch later this year.

2022 Kia K8

Hyundai sister brand Kia unveiled the new K8 this week. The large sedan replaces the Cadenza (a K7 in other markets), and we won’t see it on sale locally.

Aston Martin Valkyrie

Aston Martin’s CEO this week confirmed that the Valkyrie hypercar project is not dead. He said owners can expect the first examples to be delivered by mid this year, which will be roughly two years later than originally planned.

2021 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo

And finally, we spent some time on the road and track with the 2021 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo. We found the sport sedan to deliver power quickly and smoothly, and have a chassis with enough road feel to satisfy.

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February 20, 2021