Geneva Motor Show 2019: Cupra Formentor previews hot new SUV

Cupra has revealed a close-to-production plug-in hybrid concept SUV at the Geneva Motor Show.

Named after a Spanish peninsula, Cupra insists its Formentor is definitely just a concept car. It looks to be pretty much production-ready though, and we reckon it will go on sale as the firm's halo model as soon as 2020.

SEAT's offshoot, Cupra, went standalone with the recent Cupra Ateca - a sporty version of the popular Ateca crossover.

In terms of design, the Formentor very much looks like a mixture of the Ateca and the new SEAT Tarraco SUV. It's a coupe-crossover, in the same ilk as the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.

The interior is typical Volkswagen Group, aside from the leather-clad bucket seats and new 10-inch floating navigation system, the cabin is filled with dark plastics. Cupra is intended to provide a mix of premium and sportiness, and the Formentor's cabin reflects this.

It'll be powered by a plug-in petrol hybrid engine which produces a combined 245PS. That's less than the Cupra Ateca, but the firm says the Formentor will "surpass the performance expectations of the driver". In typical Volkswagen Group fashion, it gets a DSG automatic gearbox, while an intelligent Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and differential lock will aid handling.

While performance and fuel economy figures are yet to be confirmed (this is just a concept, remember), Cupra says the Formentor will be able to drive in pure electric mode for up to 31 miles.

We'll find out more details when the Formentor nears production.