Cupra Formentor

Why proper paddles and real sounds are on our Cupra wish list

THE CUPRA HAD A FEW DAYS’ REST THIS month when I finally got my hands on the key to evo’s Lamborghini Aventador SVJ long-termer. More about that next month, but in the meantime I’ve come to the conclusion that the Formentor falls into that category of great cars that are not that thrilling to drive.

Don’t get me wrong, on the right road it’s hugely capable and covers ground very quickly. The issue I have is that it’s just not that much fun when you’re doing the normal stuff. I love it when a car manages to excite you just driving to the shops and back, as such journeys are the reality of so much of our time behind the wheel.

For example, the sound a car makes matters, so when it’s fake and coming from the speakers, it’s less organic and can start to grate, which is why in the Formentor I often find myself switching out of Cupra mode and into Sport.

In a car without a gearlever, the design and location of the shift paddles is important, too, yet the Formentor’s are on the small side and tucked so far in round the back of the steering wheel that you get the feeling they’re not actually designed to be used, so often you don’t use them.

Not every car can have an Aventador’s V12 and elaborate carbonfibre shift paddles, of course, but time with an SVJ certainly demonstrates that the details can make all the difference.

Date acquired January 2021 Total mileage 2106 Mileage this month 821 Costs this month £0 mpg this month 30.1