ABT Just Turned the Cupra Formentor Into a 626-HP Five-Cylinder Monster

Audi’s turbocharged five-cylinder has always had a bit of magic to it. The sound, the character, the way it delivers power. With stricter emissions rules closing in, its days in Europe are numbered, and ABT has decided to give it one final hurrah.

Instead of building another wild Audi RS3, ABT chose a less obvious platform: the Cupra Formentor VZ5. The result is the Formentor VZ5 635, a limited-run crossover with 626 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

That’s 241 hp and 162 lb-ft more than the standard VZ5, making it the most powerful version of Audi’s 2.5-liter five-cylinder ABT has ever created. Production is limited to just 30 units to mark the tuner’s 130th anniversary.

To reach those numbers, ABT fitted a larger turbocharger, a high-performance intercooler, a recalibrated ECU, and a water-ethanol injection system known as IWI. The setup is monitored through the myABT app and helps keep intake temperatures under control during sustained hard driving. ABT quotes a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), though acceleration figures have not yet been released.

The upgrades extend well beyond the engine. The VZ5 635 receives adjustable coilovers, stiffer anti-roll bars, and a Nürburgring-developed chassis setup that ABT says remains comfortable enough for daily use. Carbon fiber is used for the front splitter and rear diffuser, while gloss-black 20-inch wheels complete the exterior. Inside, changes are subtle, limited to special floor mats, an ABT start button, and “1 of 30” trim details.

All 30 examples will be sold through Cupra dealers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with pricing still under wraps.