CUPRA FORMENTOR VZ5

Fast five-cylinder version of sporty crossover is finally coming to the UK

- MATT SAUNDERS

Four years ago, Cupra tested the bounds of its brand and the market's appetite for pricier and rarer examples of its wares when it launched the Formentor VZ5. This range-topping, fire-breathing, five-cylinder, high-rise alternative to the Audi RS3 was announced at Cupra's third birthday party. Martorell built a run of some 7000 of them - but sadly none in right-hand drive.

Next year, however, the second coming of the VZ5 will include steering wheels on the right. The run will extend to 4000 this time, an estimated 250 of which are expected to come to the UK. That isn't a great many cars to move through Cupra's dealer network but, with prices expected to start at around £60,000, this will be one of the most expensive cars that the brand has yet sold. It's near enough RS3 money - and well in advance of what Volkswagen was recently asking for the Golf R Estate.

Partly because Cupra makes stealthy-looking, matt-finished, understated performance cars in hues of copper and grey, the VZ5 doesn't seem to do a great deal to justify that price - at an obvious level, at least. It's not your typical red-seatbelted, garish performance car.