Formentor VZs on our Dynojet 4x4: from 405 hp with software only to 455 hp with hardware upgrades. These are the results we see in practice.
The Cupra Formentor VZ 2.0 TSI is one of the models we have seen most often on our Dynojet 4x4 dyno over the past few years. We have now tested and tuned multiple examples, from model years 2020 to 2023, in different specifications and with different hardware.
As a result, we now have a fairly good understanding of what this engine does in practice. Not just what is possible on paper, but what it actually produces on the dyno.
The baseline: 310 hp on paper, often more on the dyno
The Formentor VZ 2.0 TSI produces 310 hp and 400 Nm from the factory. The car uses the EA888 Gen.4 engine, the same engine family also used in models including the Golf 8 R and Audi S3 8Y. The power is sent through a 7-speed DSG to the 4Drive all-wheel-drive system.
But there is an important difference between the factory rating and what we measure on our dyno.
For virtually every Formentor that comes to us, the measured output is already above the stated 310 hp. In the cars we have measured so far, we saw approximately 320 hp on original hardware up to 340 hp with hardware modifications on original software control.
That is why tuning at MTR does not start with a software file, but with a baseline measurement.
Only once you know where the car actually starts can you assess what a tune has added.
Stage 1: 405–425 hp with software
With Stage 1, the hardware remains largely standard. The gains come from the software.
Our measured Formentors with Stage 1 produced:
405–425 hp
530–600 Nm
That means over 100 hp more than the factory rating, without replacing the engine hardware.
But at this power level, the ECU is not the only important factor.
ECU + TCU: engine and DSG as one unit
The extra power also means significantly more torque. That is why, with this setup, we tune the ECU and TCU software aligned with each other.
After all, the DSG must not only be able to handle the extra torque, but also manage it correctly.
For us, this is not a separate upgrade that you add afterward. The engine and transmission are part of the same setup.
Stage 2: 405–455 hp
With Stage 2, hardware comes into play.
Our results range here from:
405–455 hp
550–620 Nm
On paper, the difference from Stage 1 sometimes seems smaller than you would expect. That is precisely why looking only at the maximum dyno figure does not always tell the whole story.
With a Stage 2 setup, it is not only about the highest figure on a single run. As you demand more power from the engine, airflow and temperature management become more important.
That is why a typical Stage 2 setup includes, among other things:
- a performance air intake and turbo inlet for freer airflow
- a larger intercooler to keep intake air better under control under load
- depending on the chosen setup, additional hardware such as a downpipe
The combination required depends on the desired power, the fuel used, and how the car is used.
Are you unsure which of the two to choose? Also read Stage 1 vs Stage 2: the difference explained.
Why do we see such different results?
The figures above are deliberately ranges, not a single marketing figure.
Two Formentors with the same engine and the same Stage can produce different dyno results. This can be due to, among other things:
- model year and software version
- standard measured output
- hardware
- fuel
- outside temperature and conditions
- condition of the car
- chosen calibration
That is why we consider an individual dyno measurement more important than a promise of one fixed final figure.
A tune from 405 hp on a car that produces 320 hp as standard, tells a different story than 405 hp on a car that originally produced 345 hp as standard.
Formentor vs. Leon: the same engine, similar results
The Cupra Leon 2.0 TSI shares the EA888 Gen.4 engine family with the Formentor.
We see similar results on our dyno there as well, close to those of the Formentor. For example, two Cupra Leons that we measured with Stage 2 produced:
418 hp / 565 Nm
430 hp / 601 Nm
That does not mean both models behave exactly the same on the road. Weight, drivetrain, transmission, and use make a significant difference in practice.
Are you specifically looking for the most distinctive Formentor variant? Then there is, of course, the VZ5 with its five-cylinder engine. However, technically and in terms of character, that is a completely different project.
Read more about Cupra Formentor VZ5 tuning →
Frequently asked questions
How much power does a Cupra Formentor 2.0 TSI make with Stage 1?
Based on our own dyno measurements, the Formentors with Stage 1 produced 405 to 425 hp and 530 to 600 Nm.
Is the DSG suitable for Stage 1 and Stage 2?
The DQ381 is part of the overall drivetrain and must be controlled correctly when tuning for more torque. That’s why we include the TCU software in the setup and calibrate it to the ECU calibration.
Can I have my existing tune checked?
Yes. We regularly receive cars that have already been tuned elsewhere.
With a dyno measurement, we can first establish what the car actually produces. We can then assess whether the current setup matches what you should expect from it and where there may be room for improvement.
Where can I view all Formentor results?
We collect our projects and dyno results in the Cupra project overview, with different models, model years, and tuning stages.
450 hp is one thing. Knowing where it comes from is another.
A 450-hp Formentor is technically no longer an exception.
But a single peak figure on a dyno only tells part of the story.
What we find interesting is what it what it was before tuning, what the setup has changed, and how the car behaves under different conditions.
That’s why our approach starts with measuring, followed by calibrating and measuring again.
Curious what your Formentor actually produces?
Schedule a dyno appointment in Rhoon or view ours Stage tuning options.
