Illuminating new Cupra Formentor arrives

IN AN effort to entice buyers to the brand, the marketing machine at Cupra Australia has spooled up its limited edition offerings, including the recent red-painted Formentor VZx Rojo Edition, and now an LED Matrix headlight-equipped Formentor Matrix Edition.

Pitched at $65,490 plus on-road costs, the Formentor Matrix Edition adds a $5500 price premium to the sticker price of the Formentor VZx on which it is based. The most recent Rojo Edition added $6500 to the asking price of the mechanically identical Formentor VZx variant.

The Formentor Matrix Edition – of which only 100 will be available – scores black leather upholstery and a ‘unique’ alloy wheel design as well as LED Matrix adaptive headlights, after which it is named.

To clarify, LED Matrix headlights work by teaming an array of LEDs and mirrors with sensors and cameras, the latter scanning the road ahead to identify traffic and changes in road conditions – such as a sharp turn. The headlights then ‘instantly’ adapt according to these inputs.

The limited edition Formentor model is the first Cupra to be equipped with LED Matrix headlights in Australia and, like others with the technology, boasts the ability to shut off part of the headlight beam to shadow oncoming traffic while maintaining full high-beam illumination elsewhere.

Formentor Matrix Edition buyers who want even more exclusivity can option their car with matte or premium metallic paint and a panoramic glass sunroof.

The well-equipped Formentor VZx AWD is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 228kW/400Nm through a seven-speed (wet) dual clutch transmission.

Speaking on the release of the latest special edition, Cupra’s head of product and planning in Australia, Jeff Shafer, said that popularity of the top-line version of the Formentor has spurred this new special edition.

“We see the instant response to these editions, and the VZx in general, as a real endorsement of Cupra’s pricing and positioning,” said Mr Shafer.

“Cupra isn’t mainstream, we’re not trying to be premium – we’re uniquely focused on design and performance and our customers love that.”

2023 Cupra Formentor pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.