Cupra Formentor prototype seen with five-cylinder engine

Formentor mule hits the Nürburgring with five-pot engine, near 400bhp range-topping model could be on cards

Cupra is testing a Formentor prototype at the Nürburgring with a five-cylinder engine, fuelling rumous that a range-topping near-400bhp model is in the works. 

The Spanish brand, formerly a sub-division of Seat, has only just launched the Formentor with a 306bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and a  242bhp plug-in hybrid. However, it seems the lineup won't stop there. 

Spy photographers caught an undisguised test mule sporting unusual stacked quad exhausts not seen on the production car. They also reported a distinctive five-cylinder engine note as it went past. Similar prototypes have been seen (and heard) in previous months. 

Cupra has recently registered the Formentor name with the acronym "VZ' alongside. Sources indicate it could be used as a range-topping performance model in the same way that the RS badge is used by Audi.

Indeed, the only five-cylinder engine in the VW Group's stable is Audi's 2.5-litre unit, which finds service in the RS Q3, RS3 and TT RS. That puts out 394bhp in those cars, and it's likely that output would be retained for a potential Cupra flagship. 

Currently the fastest Formentor, the 2.0-litre turbo, is capable of 0-62mph in 4.9sec and a top speed of 155mph. While the top speed of a five-cylinder flagship would likely be similarly limited, expect the 0-62mph time to fall to around the four second mark.

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