We are at that advanced stage in the shift from diesel that a car with such an engine under its bonnet is now more noticeable by its presence than its absence in new-car line-ups.
I was surprised to see Cupra still have one on the go. It’s a 2-litre DSG 150hp from the Volkswagen group of course. There are plenty of 1.5-litre Tsi patrols on the brand’s pricelist, powering mild hybrid and plug-in powertrains and, in the current climate, I suspect they will be highly popular.
But seeing that Mothership Volkswagen diesels are available, I can see why they would use them – knowing that there is a hard-core of potential buyers out there who will relish the prospect of driving, possibly, the last of the species.
The Formentor, as you probably know, is a compact SUV coupé with the emphasis on distinct styling and performance. The styling is subdued rather than flashy with its signature copper brushed on key visual parts of the exterior and cabin.
It is a combination that works quite well, I think. I wasn’t an early adaptor to the visual mix so it has taken quite a while for it to grow on me. But I like it now. There is an argument that such styling does more in the long run than something more immediately eye-catching as it won’t overly fade with age and familiarity.
The coupé/SUV look is among the most popular. People seem to like the way these cars blend shapes and look less muscular than the fully-fledged varieties. Following this line of thought, the Cupra designers produced an ultra-smooth exterior. And I am not talking solely about the flanks; the front and rear are a long way from the dramatic in-your-face designs preferred by so many.
It really is a matter of taste, preference and driver profile. Something tells me that this placid look would appeal to the more mature driver. Not everyone wants chrome glinting in the sunlight.
I spent a long, long time driving this car as we took to the back roads across most of the north east, swinging around Monaghan, Armagh and Belfast. We drove across some of the worst-surfaced roads it has been my displeasure to negotiate for many a long day.
I was a bit disappointed with how the car responded. Even with dynamic chassis technology, its damping left something to be desired when it came to better absorption of potholes and stretches of poor surface.
Funny isn’t it: had we not got ourselves lost we would never have come across such poor roads and we would have continued blissfully unaware of the challenges that really tested this car. Out on the smooth highways, it was a different story altogether. We coasted along with little or no noise intrusion and the car was a different animal entirely.
The diesel engine pulled away manfully but, again, I didn’t expect to hear it so much.
Strange, really, that I should be complaining at this late stage of diesel’s journey. That 2-litre, or a derivative, has been in virtually every car in the Volkswagen group for years and has been a stalwart for thousands of buyers here who want plenty of power to cater for everything from full-passenger occupancy to towing a large horsebox.
One of the reasons that people will want a car like this is diesel’s renowned fuel economy. The Cupra is officially claimed to be capable of returning 5.2litres/100km. I couldn’t do any better than 6.7litres/100kms. I thought I’d squeeze a bit more out of it than that.
Being made to be upmarket, the Formentor tends to be that bit more expensive. It starts around the €30,000 mark which isn’t mad at all but it climbs a fair bit as you add a few items – what doesn’t these days? Mid-€40,000 will get you a nice car.
And in fairness, they don’t skip on the equipment; standard fare covers a lot of what you’d want in a car of this size and status.
Among the elements that come as standard on this are a 12.9ins infotainment system, 10.25ins digital cockpit, wireless android auto and Apple CarPlay, 18ins Sonora machined wheels in sport black/silver, textile sport seats, aluminium pedals, heated front seats, wireless phone charger/antenna amplifier, heated front seats, dark tinted real windows which add to the sense of shade, front full LEDs, rear 3D LED lights with dynamic turn signal. There is Climatronic 3-zone air con, black roof cloth, Cupra drive profile, black roof rails while safety elements included, Lane Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.
My test car had 19ins Sandstorm copper machined wheels, keyless advanced entry, alarm, wrapround lighting inside, rear-view camera, Intelligent Drive DQ (Side/Exit Assist), pre-crash assist, excellent top-view camera, emergency spare wheel, Matrix LED lights, Dynamic Chassis Control and panoramic sunroof.
I liked the interior a lot. There was plenty of room in the cabin and boot. Smooth surfaces and copper inserts created a pleasant sense of it being a bit different.
Prices start at €39,100 for the Formentor 1.5Tsi petrol, 150hp; and from €44,000 for the diesel 2.0Tdi 150hp DSG. Price of car tested – 2.0Tdi 150hp DSG 7speed automatic transmission – is €55,765. The latter looks a bit expensive at €55,765, though it is heavily adorned.
Overall, the Formentor is a decent package. It has a touch of class in some parts, such as the cabin and maybe warrants a note of criticism on others such as the level of engine noise.
For those who are planning on staying with diesel for another while, it is stylish option and, as I found, it gets better the longer you are in it.
