by ABT turned the Cupra Formentor VZ5 into a 626-horsepower monster
Some engines deserve a real farewell salute. Audi’s five-cylinder engine, which will soon disappear from the European market in its current non-electrified form, is receiving just such an honor from ABT. The tuners from Kempten have created the most powerful version of the 2.5-liter ‘five-cylinder’ ever to come out of the workshop, with 626 horsepower on tap. The surprise lies in where exactly they installed it.
Instead of simply ‘tweaking’ the Audi RS3 hatchback, ABT applied their approach to the Cupra Formentor VZ5 crossover, limiting production to 30 units. The result is the first Cupra in history to surpass the original Lamborghini Huracan in power.
Technical equipment and power
The formidable 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine received a new turbocharger, a high-efficiency intercooler, a recalibrated engine control unit (ECU), and a water-ethanol injection system which ABT calls IWI. A separate controller manages this system, and the fluid level can be tracked via the myABT app. The tuner claims that this injection provides a ‘very strong internal cooling effect,’ allowing the engine to deliver high output ‘at the highest performance levels’ without power loss.
The math is simple: 626 hp (467 kW / 635 PS) and 700 Nm of torque. That’s 241 hp (180 kW / 245 PS) and 220 Nm more than the standard Cupra Formentor VZ5. ABT has not disclosed the 0-100 km/h acceleration time but claims a top speed of 300 km/h.
Project evolution and chassis
This project is the flagship of ABT’s Formentor development line. The journey began in 2021 with a 365 hp tune for the four-cylinder model, followed in 2022 by a 444 hp version for the five-cylinder VZ5. The latest Cupra even surpasses the tuned ABT Audi RS3-R, which produces up to 503 hp from the same base engine.
Power is only part of the package. The Formentor VZ5 635 also receives sport anti-roll bars and suspension with adjustable dampers, which have separate compression and rebound settings. ABT says the chassis was developed with the Nürburgring in mind but insists it remains comfortable enough for daily use.
Exterior and interior
Visually, the car receives carbon fiber elements on the front splitter and rear diffuser, as well as a gloss black roof spoiler extension. It rides on 20-inch gloss black wheels and sits lower than standard thanks to the new suspension.
Interior changes are limited to an ABT start-stop button, VZ5 635 embroidery on the floor mats, and a ‘1 of 30’ inscription engraved on the surrounds of the climate control vents.
Limited series and context
The VZ5 635 will be produced in a limited series of 30 units to celebrate ABT’s 130th anniversary. All will be distributed through the official Cupra dealer network in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria at an undisclosed price.
The Cupra Formentor debuted in 2019 as the crossover counterpart to the Leon and received its first facelift in 2024 with a ‘shark-like’ front end, which the brand now uses across its lineup. The five-cylinder engine will not survive until the next update.
ABT Sportsline
This project is a prime example of how tuning ateliers can not only increase power but also create true collector’s cars that serve as a kind of farewell to an era. Installing such a powerful engine in a crossover, rather than a traditional hatchback, underscores the shift in market preferences, where the SUV segment dominates even in the world of high-performance cars. Limiting the series to 30 units makes this model not just a technical achievement but also a desirable object for collectors who want to get the last ‘breath’ of the legendary Audi five-cylinder engine in such an unusual configuration.
