The art of tuning put into practice: ABT Sportsline celebrates 130 years with a 626 hp Cupra Formentor VZ5
When a legendary tuning house like ABT Sportsline turns 130 years old, car fans expect something spectacular. The Germans from Kempten did not disappoint: instead of a traditional cake, they decided to "blow out the candles" with a water-ethanol injection system and a mechanical monster edited in a strictly limited series.
The new Cupra Formentor VZ5 635 represents the absolute pinnacle of ABT engineering applied to the Spanish brand, being produced in only 30 units intended for collectors and pure speed enthusiasts.
Under the hood: Racing technology and ethanol-water injection (IWI)
The centerpiece of this radical transformation is the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-5 engine (originally borrowed by Cupra from Audi). ABT engineers extracted every ounce of performance hidden in the engine block, installing:
- A new, completely redesigned turbine;
- A high-performance intercooler;
- An electronic control unit (ECU) recalibrated from scratch;
- An advanced water-ethanol injection system, called IWI (Indirect Water Injection).
How does IWI technology work? Managed by a dedicated module, this system injects a mixture of water and ethanol to provide extremely powerful internal cooling of the combustion chamber. The result? The engine can deliver constant maximum performance, without power loss due to overheating, even under conditions of major thermal stress.
Owners can monitor the liquid level in the water-ethanol tank in real time directly through the myABT mobile app.
Numbers that defy the laws of physics
The modifications propel the Formentor into a completely new league, surpassing even other famous projects of the German house, such as the Audi RS3-R modified by ABT (which develops "only" 503 HP).
| Performance | Cupra Formentor VZ5 (Standard) | ABT Formentor VZ5 635 | Difference (Power Increase) |
| Power | 385 hp | 626 hp | + 241 hp |
| Torque | 480 Nm | 700 Nm | + 220 Nm |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h (limited) | 300 km/h | + 50 km/h |
ABT has not yet announced the official time for the 0-100 km/h sprint, but it is expected to fall well below the 4-second threshold.
Circuit dynamics and an aggressive visual presence
To ensure that the 626 hp are effectively transferred to the asphalt, ABT has completely revised the chassis. The Formentor VZ5 635 has received sports stabilizer bars and a fully adjustable coilover suspension with independent compression and rebound. The car has a noticeably lower ground clearance than the production version, providing extremely incisive road holding.
Aesthetically, the aggressiveness is emphasized by aerodynamic elements made of carbon fiber:
- A prominent front splitter;
- A massive rear diffuser, optimized for airflow;
- A glossy black rear spoiler extension;
- 20-inch wheels, finished in glossy black, complement the car's menacing stance.
A discreet interior, dedicated to the 30 chosen ones
Inside, ABT has opted for subtle changes that have a strong emotional impact. The sporty atmosphere is completed by a personalized start-stop button with the tuner's logo and specific floor mats inscribed "VZ5 635". The piece de resistance, however, remains the exclusive "1 of 30" marking applied to the air vents, a constant reminder of the rarity of this hyper-SUV.
The 30 anniversary units will be sold exclusively through the official Cupra network in the DACH region (Germany, Switzerland and Austria). The official price has not yet been revealed, but given the exclusivity and integrated technology, it will certainly reflect the collector's item status.