Thursday October 19, 2023 – CUPRA, the challenger brand from Barcelona, has sourced a further 450 Formentor and Leon Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles – primarily the former – as Australian customers continue to respond to CUPRA's two PHEVs and Born BEV.
After a trickle of initial supply last year, CUPRA's Formentor and Leon PHEVs – both designated VZe – have begun to arrive in numbers to meet the demand.
The additional 450 Formentor VZe and Leon VZe models land as PHEVs remain currently eligible for fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemptions in Australia, making CUPRA PHEVs an ideal purchase for 'salary sacrifice' employees nationwide who could save thousands over a petrol, diesel or so-called 'mild hybrid' vehicle*.
CUPRA Australia Director Ben Wilks said about one third of CUPRA orders were for its battery cars.
"CUPRA's VZe models provide the best of both worlds – E-Mode using just the battery that can be restored from a conventional charger or good, old 'hot hatch' conventional performance with Hybrid," he said.
Mr Wilks said Australian customers have had limited exposure to genuine hybrids – rather than traditional mild-hybrid vehicles.
"For decades in Australia, hybrids have meant 1990s technology consisting of a battery primarily powered by an outmoded naturally aspirated engine running on high sulphur 91 RON petrol. CUPRA sells real hybrids – PHEVs - as an alternative both to our petrol cars and the fully electric Born.
"Our discerning customers understand that they're getting contemporary European technology – an efficient direct injection turbo petrol engine with a re-chargeable battery good for about 50km independent of the engine, plus hybrid ability if the battery is depleted.
"And, of course, Formentor VZe and Leon VZe come with captivating design and driving dynamics that distinguish CUPRA from the mainstream brands' whitegoods on wheels.
"Those intent on making savings at the bowser can do the average daily commute on battery alone with reserves to spare. Keen drivers quickly discover that our PHEVs switch seamlessly between its dual means of propulsion and together provide a formidable 180kW and 400Nm."
MY24 Leon VZe
$61,690 RRP
$64,690 DA (ACT)
$65,690 DA (QLD)
$66,690 DA (NSW)
$66,690 DA (SA)
$67,190 DA (VIC)
$67,690 DA (WA)
$66,190 DA (TAS)
• 1.4L turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine 110kW/250Nm; electric motor 85kW/300Nm; Combined system 180kW/400Nm
• 6-speed wet clutch DSG
• Tyre repair kit
• Mode 2 cable
• Mode 3 cable
• 19" Sport Black and Silver Alloy wheels
• Aluminium pedals
• Metallic Paint (Nevada White, Magnetic Tech, Midnight Black)
• Tyre Pressure Warning System
• Heated power folding mirrors covered in dark chrome
• Full LED Headlights and Daytime Running Lamps
• LED tail lights
• Fog lamps with cornering function
• Light Assist (Auto High Beam)
• Rear tinted windows
• Rear Roof Spoiler
• 10.25" Digital Cockpit
• 12" Infotainment & Navigation System
• Digital Radio DAB+
• Wireless Phone Charging
• Wired and Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto
• 2 Front and 2 Rear USB-C ports
• Leather heated multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters
• Wraparound ambient interior light (with integrated side assist)
• Black headliner
• Cloth sports bucket seats
• Floor mats
• Driving profile selection
• Dynamic Chassis Control
• Progressive Steering
• Keyless entry and start
• Auto dimming rear view mirror
• 3 zone climate control air-conditioning
• Illuminated Scuff Plates
• Floor Mats
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Travel Assist
• Front Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
• Lane Assist
• Park Assist
• Side Assist with Exit Assist
• Driver Fatigue Monitor
• Emergency assist
• Rain sensing wipers
• Rear camera
Options
Leather and Sound Package - $2,550
• Leather seats
• Heated front seats
• Driver power adjustment and memory
• Mirror memory function
• Dashboard with copper stitching
• Beats premium sound 9 speakers, 350 amp, sub-woofer
Electric Sunroof - $1,850
Premium Metallic Paint - $490
• Desire Red or Graphene Grey.
MY24 Formentor VZe
$64,990 RRP
$67,990 DA (ACT)
$68,990 DA (QLD)
$69,990 DA (NSW)
$69,990 DA (SA)
$70,490 DA (VIC)
$70,990 DA (WA)
$69,490 DA (TAS)
• 1.4L turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine 110kW/250Nm; electric motor 85kW/300Nm; combined system 180kW/400Nm
• 6-speed wet clutch DSG
• Tyre repair kit (no temporary spare)
• Mode 2 cable
• Mode 3 cable
Metallic Paint (Nevada White, Magnetic Tech, Midnight Black)
• 19" Sport Black and Silver Alloy wheels
• Tyre Pressure Warning System
• Towing Pre-wire
• Heated power folding mirrors with memory covered in dark chrome
• Full LED Headlights and Daytime Running Lights
• LED tail lights with Dynamic Turn Signal
• Fog lamps with cornering function
• Light Assist (Auto High Beam)
• Rear tinted windows
• Rear spoiler
• Welcome light in exterior mirrors
• Glossy black roof rails
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Dynamic Chassis Control
• 10.25" Digital Cockpit
• 12" Infotainment & navigation system
• Digital Radio DAB+
• Wireless Phone Charging
• Wired and Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto
• 2 Front and 2 Rear USB-C ports
• Rear camera
• Cloth sports bucket seats
• 3 zone climate control air-conditioning
• Auto dimming rear view mirror
• Rain sensing wipers
• Leather heated multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters
• Keyless entry and start
• Hands free power tailgate
• Front Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
• Lane Assist
• Park Assist
• Side Assist with Exit Assist
• Driver Fatigue Monitor
• Emergency assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Exit assist
• Travel assist
• Pre-crash warning
Options
Leather and Camera Package - $2,800
• Leather sports bucket seats
• Heated front seats
• Driver power adjustment and memory
• Mirror memory function
• Top View Camera (360 degree)
Panoramic glass sunroof - $2,150
Premium Metallic Paint - $490
• Desire Red, Graphene Grey
*You should seek your own independent tax advice to confirm eligibility and refer to https://www.ato.gov.au/ for further information.
Please note: images shown are MY23 Leon VZe and MY22 Formentor VZe.