Cupra announced the Formentor VZ5 (with VZ standing for “veloz”, which translates as “speed” or “fast”) back in February 2021, and now, more than a year later, the SUV is finally about to enter production. The VZ5 is the high-performance version of the Formentor - Cupra’s first vehicle developed from the ground up. The Formentor VZ5's production kickoff will be celebrated with the launch of a special Taiga Grey version, limited to just 999 units.

Unfortunately, the new VZ5 Taiga Grey limited edition is all about the right choice of colors. It will be finished in a unique Taiga Grey finish - which will not be offered for any other Cupra model. The cabin features brown Nappa leather seats combined with various progressive graphics in Dinamica Black. Each unit will also have the vehicle’s number laser etched on the door panel in a shadow effect. The car rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and stopping power is provided by six-piston Akebono calipers.

As for standard equipment, the Tayga Grey edition will be offered with Matrix LED lights and the automatic lighting system - a feature that will allow the driver to keep the high beam always switched on because the system can dynamically regulate the light distribution. This way it won't dazzle other road users and Cupra promises it contributes to more safety on the road. After the Formentor VZ5, this feature will also be offered in the Cupra Leon and Cupra Formentor models.

The new Taiga Grey brings no changes under the hood. Just as a reminder, the Formentor VZ5 features the same engine as the Audi SQ3: a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine good for 385 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Power gets to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and Cupra’s 4Drive all-wheel-drive setup. The SUV goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Just to compare things, the standard Formentor delivers 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet, or 242 horsepower and 295 pound-feet in hybrid form.

The new Taiga Grey edition will go into production this week at the brand’s Martorell facilities. It will be limited to just 999 units - out of a total of 7,000 units, the overall production run for the Formentor VZ5. There are no details on how much the new special edition will cost, but the standard Formentor VZ5 was launched with a starting price of €61,650 - $64,500 at the current exchange rates.