Power by stage
Stock is Cupra's figure. Stage 1 to 4 are the tuners' own claims, in PS or hp as each states them. Only APR (95 and 98 octane) and GT-Innovation (98) say which fuel their figures need; most German tuners don't, so ask before you compare. The higher Stage 3 and 4 figures are from German packages with TÜV approval.
Names with an arrow go straight to that part's product page for this car. Names in a dashed outline are other brands that make the part; exact links for them are being added.
Software only
446–506 PSThe VZ5 uses the same Bosch MG1 engine computer as the RS3 8Y, and it's locked. APR's file, which lists the VZ5, needs its $999.95 unlock first and claims 446 hp on 95 octane and 462 hp on 98 (its page). GT-Innovation unlocks it by replacing a chip in the computer and showed 457 PS on 98 octane on its dyno (its report). The German tuners' packages claim 450–506 PS.
Typical cost: APR $958.95 on sale plus a $999.95 unlock; BR-Performance €890; HPerformance €2,949 with TÜV; ABT €5,790; plug-in boxes £349–£649 (RaceChip), €1,299 (DTE) or from €2,690 (MTM).List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.
Stage 1 tunes compared
| Tune | Fuel | Claimed power | Claimed torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APR Stage 1 | 95 / 98 RON | 446 / 462 hp | 616 / 647 Nm | $958.95 on sale plus a $999.95 unlock; no gearbox tune needed |
| GT-Innovation | 98 RON | 457 PS | 646 Nm | Dyno sheet; price not shown |
| ABT Power S | — | 450 PS | 530 Nm | €5,790 (€6,090 with 270 km/h); 5-year ABT warranty |
| BR-Performance Stage 1 | — | 450 hp | 580 Nm | €890 |
| HPerformance Stage 1 | — | 490 PS | 670 Nm | €2,949, with TÜV approval |
| HGP Stage 1 | — | 505 PS | 638 Nm | €5,800 plus fitting; with a K&N filter, DSG clutch pressure and TÜV entry |
| MTM Stage 1 | — | 506 hp | — | From €7,999, with an air filter |
| MTM M-Cantronic box | — | 465 hp | — | Plug-in box; from €2,690 |
| DTE PowerControl RX | — | +35 hp | +108 Nm | Plug-in box; €1,299 |
| RaceChip | — | +34 / +40 hp | +63 / +75 Nm | Plug-in box; £349 / £649 |
Unitronic has files for the RS3 8Y and lists the VZ5 as "coming soon" (its news). 034Motorsport, IE and REVO list nothing for the VZ5.
The DSG
APR says full torque works "without requiring a TCU upgrade". Beyond that, the DQ500's computer is locked too: GT-Innovation hadn't unlocked it as of August 2024, and RacingLine lists DQ500 software for the VZ5. HPerformance replaces the whole mechatronic unit with a pre-programmed one rated for 800 Nm or more, from €3,899 (its page).
Intercooler, intake and downpipe
467–542 PSForge says the VZ5 has the smaller S3-type intercooler, which it calls "compromised": its replacement cut intake air temperature on the dyno from 58 °C to 34 °C. That also means intercoolers made for the RS3 can't be assumed to fit. APR's Stage 2 claims 467–487 hp with its intake and intercooler, and the German packages with a downpipe claim 535–542 PS.
Typical cost: intercooler £856.96 (Forge) or 1,090 before VAT (Wagner); downpipe from €3,799 (HPerformance) or €5,057.50 (HJS ECE); exhaust £2,427.28–£2,531.26 (Milltek).List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.
Stage 2 packages compared
| Package | Fuel | Claimed power | Claimed torque | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APR Stage 2 | 95 / 98 RON | 467 / 487 hp | 624 / 649 Nm | As Stage 1; APR doesn't list its intake and intercooler for the Formentor |
| BR-Performance Stage 2 | — | 470 hp | 600 Nm | By email |
| HPerformance Stage 2 | — | 535 PS | 680–700 Nm | €12,849, with TÜV approval |
| HGP Stage 2 | — | 540 PS | 654 Nm | €8,500 plus €1,000 fitting |
| MTM Stage 2 | — | 542 hp | — | €11,999 |
Parts list
- Intercooler required
Forge FMINT36 intercoolerWagner Competition intercooler
Both list the VZ5: Forge's costs £856.96 and Wagner's 1,090 before VAT, with 17.7 litres against the stock 9.0.
- Downpipe only for the higher files
HJS ECE downpipe with filterHPerformance 4" downpipeSupersprint downpipe
HJS's pipe keeps a catalyst and particulate filter with ECE approval (€5,057.50 at a German dealer), but HJS says the approval needs the engine, gearbox and computer to be stock (its terms). HPerformance's keeps the filter and is TÜV-approved only with its own software (from €3,799). Supersprint's pairs with pipes that delete the filter.
- Filter-back exhaust optional
Akrapovič Evolution Line (titanium)Milltek exhaustHPerformance 4" exhaust
Akrapovič's titanium system is ECE-approved with the filter and claims +7.8 kW without a remap. Milltek's costs £2,427.28–£2,531.26, and HPerformance's street version is ECE-approved (€4,299–€4,699).
Bigger turbo
560–620 PSHPerformance sells TC Turbos' upgrade turbos for the VZ5 and states power by fuel: the X6 makes 560 hp on 98 octane and the X8 600 hp (on 102 octane, which Israel doesn't sell, the X6 claims 700). The complete German packages claim 585–620 PS. APR's Stage 3 is still "in development", and TTE lists its turbos for the RS3 only.
Typical cost: TC Turbos X6 / X8 from €2,799 / €2,999 (turbo only); complete packages €13,500 plus fitting (HGP) to €21,999 (MTM); DQ500 mechatronic unit from €3,899.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.
Turbo upgrades compared
| Kit | Fuel | Claimed power | Claimed torque | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC Turbos X6 | 98 RON | 560 hp | — | From €2,799, turbo only |
| TC Turbos X8 | 98 RON | 600 hp | — | From €2,999, turbo only |
| HGP Stage 3 | — | 585 PS | 692 Nm | €13,500 plus €1,500 fitting; HGP turbo |
| MTM Stage 2+ | — | 586 hp | — | From €21,999, with turbo |
| HPerformance Stage 3 | — | 620 PS | 710 Nm | €17,849 with TÜV; X6 turbo and 1,000 cc injectors |
Parts list
- Upgrade turbo required
TC Turbos X6TC Turbos X8HGP
Each needs a matching file, bigger injectors and, above 800 Nm, a gearbox upgrade.
- Gearbox required
HPerformance DQ500 mechatronic unitRacingLine DQ500 software
HPerformance's replacement units are rated for 800 Nm up to 1,300 Nm, from €3,899.
Built engine
650–707 PSThree German tuners list built-engine packages for the VZ5. BAR-TEK says forged pistons and rods are needed above about 650 hp on this engine (its guide), and ABT's own 30-car VZ5 special makes 635 PS with an ABT turbo and water-ethanol injection (ABT). None of these pages says which fuel the figures need.
Stage 4 options compared
| Package | Fuel | Claimed power | Claimed torque | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HGP Stage 4 | — | 650 PS | 754 Nm | €19,900 plus €3,900 fitting; steel rods, lower compression, Wagner intercooler |
| MTM Stage 3 | — | 653 hp | — | From €26,999; turbo and engine reinforcement |
| HPerformance Stage 4 | — | 660 PS | 750 Nm | €30,349 with TÜV; X6 turbo and rods |
| HPerformance Stage 5 | — | 707 PS | 800 Nm | €37,599 with TÜV; X8 turbo and rods |
Parts list
- Built engine and gearbox required
HGP Stage 4HPerformance Stage 4 / 5Forged pistons and rods
Each package includes stronger rods, and HPerformance's top race level adds forged pistons and runs on E50, which isn't sold in Israel.
Watch: real builds
From tuners', shops' and motoring journalists' own YouTube channels. Nothing loads from YouTube until you press play.
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2:00Questions to ask the shop
- How will you unlock my engine computer, can it go back to stock, and what happens when the dealer updates the software?
- Is the file made for 95 or 98 octane? Can I see a 98-octane dyno sheet, and is it at the engine or the wheels?
- What torque will the file ask for, and does my DQ500 need a software or mechatronic upgrade?
- Is the intercooler made for the VZ5, or an RS3 part?
- Does the downpipe keep the catalysts and particulate filter, and how will the car pass the annual test?
- What warranty do I get in Israel, given that Cupra's excludes modifications?
Compare side by side: Cupra Formentor VZ5 vs Audi RS3 8Y · Cupra Formentor VZ5 vs Audi RS3 8V · Cupra Formentor VZ5 vs Cupra Formentor VZ
Same engine: 2.5 TFSI: 2 more cars with this engine
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