2026 Cupra Formentor VZ5: Five-cylinder performance hero confirmed for Australia

The hot turbocharged five-cylinder Cupra Formentor VZ5 has been revived for the sporty crossover’s mid-life facelift – and this time it’s coming to Australia.

Powered by a 287kW/480Nm 2.5-litre turbo-five engine shared with the high-performance Audi RS3 and RSQ3, the Formentor VZ5 is once again a limited-run flagship for the Spanish brand, though this time around it will be produced in right-hand drive. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Cupra Australia has confirmed the VZ5 will make it to Australia in limited numbers, but just how many from the 4000-unit global production run is still to be announced. Expect it in local showrooms in the latter stages of 2026, given production won’t start in Spain until the first quarter of next year.

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While performance figures haven’t been detailed for the updated VZ5, Cupra quoted a 0-100km/h time of 4.2 seconds for the original 2022 version with the same outputs – making it half a second quicker to triple figures than the facelifted 245kW Formentor VZx, and 0.3 seconds quicker than the outgoing Audi RSQ3.

Beyond the extra cylinder, the Cupra Formentor VZ5 also boasts model-specific treatments like wider wheel-arches, copper-accented diagonally stacked exhaust outlets, and unique 20-inch copper-accented alloy wheels.

Inside, the Formentor VZ5 will score racy CUPBucket seats with carbon-fibre shells as standard, to further drive home its halo status. Available colours globally include Midnight Black, Dark Void, Magnetic Tech Matte, Century Bronze Matte and Enceladus Grey Matte (pictured).

The VZ5 otherwise builds upon the updated design and components included with the Formentor’s mid-life facelift, which is due to land Down Under at the end of the first quarter of 2026.

New exterior design elements include the Cupra brand’s new ‘Shark Nose’ corporate face, which also incorporates a new tri-triangular LED signature that’s reflected both front and rear. At the rear the full-width light bar now includes an illuminated logo on the tailgate.

Expect this new flagship to be accompanied by a similarly handsome price tag, which will push the Spanish brand further upmarket. The old VZ5 was priced at €61,000 (A$108,046) in Germany, giving it a similar market positioning to the RSQ3.

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