HYBRID VEHICLES

A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sits somewhere between an all combustion engine and full-electric vehicle (EV). An e-HYBRID is capable of all-electric compulsion thanks to its battery. When fully charged, you can drive 37 miles (CUPRA Formentor official WLTP test figures) solely on stored battery power. On short trips, the e-HYBRID can operate like a fully electric vehicle (EV) and doesn’t need to use petrol. However, unlike a EV, it can revert to a regular hybrid operation once its electric range is depleted using combination of petrol and electric power.

Due to its size, a full battery charge cannot be achieved solely via the on-board generator and so requires plugging into an electrical outlet or charging station. The innovative interplay between both the electric and combustion motor allows for fuel-saving and lowers exhaust emissions while providing the user with an exceptional driving sensation.

On shorter journeys, a plug-in hybrid generally runs on pure electric power provided it makes sense, such as in urban areas. For maximum efficiency in different driving situations, such as longer journeys or when rapidly accelerating, it uses the combined power of the electric motor and combustion engine. If the battery which powers the electric motor has no charge, the vehicle will solely use the combustion engine.

Driver’s of a plug-in hybrid benefit from an almost silent driving experience in all-electric mode, as well as additional acceleration power (torque) thanks to the electric motor.

Many plug-in hybrid vehicle owners can manage a lot of their journeys in all-electric mode as daily trips are under 30 miles in distance. Depending on your electricity tariff, considerable savings are made when compared to a vehicle with a classic combustion engine. But with a plug-in hybrid, you never have to give up complete autonomy: if the battery charge or capacity is not sufficient, the combustion engine will be automatically activated as required.

You could also benefit indirectly, with tax advantages thanks to their lower CO2 emissions.

The electric range of a plug-in hybrid vehicle depends on the size of its battery. In the case of CUPRA, the maximum electric range is 37 miles (CUPRA Formentor official WLTP test figures). The overall range when combined with the combustion engine is of course significantly higher.

Obviously, the range will depend various factors including driving styles, the topography, temperature and road conditions. The main advantage of a plug-in hybrid is that you always have the petrol engine as a reserve when between charges, so autonomy should not be a problem.

Fundamentally there are three methods for charging your PHEV:

▪ Through a 3-pin household wall socket, which is slow but widely accessible;

▪ Through a wallbox, which can be installed at your home if you have suitable off-street parking accessible and is substantially faster and more practical than a 3-pin plug;

▪ Through public or on-road charging points, which can be the quickest way to charge, particularly where rapid or ultra-rapid options are available. Accessibility of public charging is constantly increasing.

Charging times may vary, depending on factors such as the outside temperature, the current temperature of the battery, the charging equipment, the condition of the battery and the condition of the vehicle. Specific charging times are detailed in the technical specifications for each available plug-in hybrid model.

8 years or 90,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The 5-door CUPRA Leon (180kW), The CUPRA Leon Estate (180kW) and The CUPRA Formentor (150kW & 180kW) are all available with plug-in hybrid technology.