Cupra Terramar Spied with Audi 2.5L VZ5 Powertrain

A prototype Cupra Terramar caught on track at the Nürburgring shows four round exhaust tips, larger wheels and uprated brakes—visual cues that suggest the crossover may be fitted with Cupra's VZ5 package and Audi Sport's 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine.

Spy photographs taken at the Nürburgring and circulated by observers indicate the tester is more aggressive than current Terramar variants, though its front and rear bumpers remain the same on this prototype, likely to conceal final production styling. Cupra has so far offered the 2.5-liter five-cylinder only in the Formentor VZ5, and the new details fit that configuration.

The Terramar is built at Cupra's Gyor factory in Hungary; assembly began in September 2024. It rides on the Volkswagen Group's MQB Evo platform and shares underpinnings with the Formentor and multiple VW Group models, including the Audi A3, Q3, Q6, the Volkswagen Golf Mk8, Tiguan and others. Cupra does not sell these models in the United States of America, but the company’s European line-up includes several performance-focused variants.

Powertrain and performance

Should the Terramar adopt the VZ5 treatment, it would use the Audi Sport 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder currently fitted to the Cupra Formentor VZ5. That engine is rated at 385 horsepower (390 ps/287 kW) and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque, routed to all four wheels through a 7-speed DSG. In the Formentor VZ5 the package delivers a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph (250 kph).

The prototype shows likely chassis revisions as well: a lower ride height and bigger brakes to control the added performance. Exterior cues expected for a production VZ5 Terramar include a VZ5 tailgate badge, copper exterior accents and revised bumpers, while the cabin could receive bucket seats with integrated headrests, exclusive trim, carbon-like surfaces and copper interior details similar to the Formentor VZ5.

Despite sharing a wheelbase with the Formentor, the Terramar is marginally larger overall. Both models list a wheelbase of 105.5 inches (2,680 mm). The Terramar measures 177.9 inches (4,519 mm) long, 73.3 inches (1,863 mm) wide and 62.4 inches (1,584 mm) high. The Formentor is 175.2 inches (4,450 mm) long, 72.4 inches (1,839 mm) wide and 59.5 inches (1,511 mm) high and is also slightly lighter. Cupra positions the Formentor as a coupe-style crossover and the Terramar as the more practical option, which the brand says will help differentiate the models rather than directly cannibalize sales.

Production-ready bodywork and badges have not been shown; the current prototype appears to be wearing carryover bumpers as camouflage. Industry chatter places an official debut of a Terramar VZ5 in early 2027, though Cupra has not confirmed timing or final specifications.