Cupra has announced further details about its new flagship Cupra VZ5 – including a clever rear axle torque splitter that can enable a Drift Mode.
Joining regular four-cylinder versions of the Cupra Formentor, the VZ5 will utilise a powerful 395bhp five-cylinder 2.5-litre engine that should enable a 0-60mph time of under four seconds. It’s the same unit as that found in the upcoming Audi RS3 and RS Q3, too.
Cupra has now confirmed the model will feature torque splitter technology, too, which enables torque to be split between individual rear wheels while cornering. The firm says this allows for ‘remarkable agility on the road’. The system works with a multi-plate clutch pack that can constantly analyse the likes of wheel speed, steering angle and accelerator pedal position.
With this, it also unlocks a new Drift Mode, which is where the electronic stability control is completely disconnected, and sends power directly to the outside rear wheel. This new mode sits alongside other preconfigured settings, including Comfort, Sport, Cupra, Individual and Offroad.
Just 7,000 examples of the Formentor VZ5 will be produced, though all will be sold in left-hand-drive due to the expense of converting it to right-hand-drive. Cupra has yet to officially confirm whether the model will be sold in the UK, though.
The regular Formentor is available with a choice of 1.5- and 2.0-litre petrol engines, while a 1.4-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid model is also available. Prices start from £27,745.
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