CUPRA and ABT have been very much entwined in their love for high-performance vehicles, from their trailblazing efforts in the Extreme E off-road championship to their racing glory in Formula E. Now, their synergistic partnership goes beyond motorsports, adding additional performance and limited design aspects to CUPRA’s production cars. Their next chapter of collaboration was launched at ABT headquarters in Kempten, Germany, on March 20th.

Exclusive Customization for CUPRA Leon and Formentor

Beginning in 2026, the CUPRA Leon and Formentor will be treated to exclusive ABT editions, bringing increased performance and unique styling.

The cars will incorporate ABT’s traditional aerodynamic upgrades, such as a unique roof spoiler, front and rear splitters, side skirts, and a bold diffuser. Additionally raising their profile, the cars will come equipped with 21-inch ABT-exclusive alloy wheels.

Technical Specifications: Power Meets Precision

Though official figures are not published, ABT’s heritage portends a significant performance increase over base models. The existing CUPRA Formentor VZ5 churns out 390 hp and 480 Nm of torque from its turbocharged 2.5L five-cylinder powerplant.

In comparison, the CUPRA Leon VZ model offers 310 hp and 400 Nm of torque from its 2.0L TSI powerplant. The ABT variants should capitalize on these outputs to offer an even more thrilling driving experience.

Created and Manufactured in Barcelona, Engineered for the World

The CUPRA Leon and Formentor ABT variants will be created, engineered, and produced at the company’s cutting-edge Martorell plant in Spain. The cars will reflect the edgy, out-of-the-box philosophy of CUPRA, augmented by the motorsport-influenced engineering prowess of ABT.

A Glimpse into the Future

Hans-Jürgen Abt, ABT Group CEO, highlighted the importance of this long-term partnership: “CUPRA and ABT have shared an intensive and fiduciary relationship for a long time, which is now being expanded to a new level with this collaboration.”

In the future, CUPRA and ABT will continue to push the limits, with upcoming projects being a limited ABT edition of the all-electric CUPRA Raval.

Looking Ahead

CUPRA’s long-term collaboration with ABT represents a major milestone in redefining performance road cars. With unique design, improved aerodynamics, and anticipated power boosts, the 2026 Formentor and Leon ABT models will raise the bar on high-performance driving. As CUPRA keeps innovating, enthusiasts can look forward to even more extreme innovation in the years ahead.