SEAT’s stable-mate brand CUPRA has started production of the new Formentor ‘e-HYBRID’, and its due in Ireland in March. It will come in 204hp guise and as a 245hp plug-in hybrid or PHEV. Pricing for the e-Hybrid in Ireland starts at €44,895, but drops to €39,895 with the application of the available SEAI grant of €5,000 to private customers.

The more potent 245hp version starts from €55,130 but drops to €50,130 for private customers with the SEAI grant applied. The Formentor range starts from €37,135 for the 1.5-litre TSI 150hp model.

SEAT and CUPRA Ireland Brand Director Niall Phillips: The CUPRA Formentor will be key to the success of the CUPRA brand in Ireland and is likely to account for over 50% of sales in 2021. We know from the SIMI figures this year that the PHEV segment is growing significantly, up 105% compared to the same period in 2020. Hence, the Formentor e-Hybrid is likely to be of interest to anyone that covets performance twinned with an electrified vehicle’s environmental benefits.