SPANISH performance brand Cupra is to bring its five-cylinder Formentor VZ5 to Britain for the first time.

The company has announced it is to produce a limited run of 4,000 versions of its hot crossover SUV which uses an engine from the Audi RS 3 - another part of the Volkswagen group.

Developing 384bhp from its 2.5-litre turbo engine the VZ5 is a significant step up from the current 333bhp unit offered in the Formentor VZ3 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor offered in the current British flagship which costs from £51,605.

Although prices for the VZ5 have still to be announced the model has been on sale in left-hand drive markets for a few years.

"The return of the CUPRA Formentor VZ5 is a bold statement of our commitment to performance and emotion. With its iconic five-cylinder engine, this model embodies the essence of CUPRA - daring, unconventional, and driven by passion."sais Sven Schuwirth, executive vice-president for sales, marketing & aftersales at Cupra."For the first time, the Cupra Formentor VZ5 will be available in both left- and right-hand drive, opening the door to car enthusiasts in markets such as the UK."

Paired with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission and Cupra's all-wheel drive system, it comes with integrated torque splitter technology.

Since its original debut, the Cupra Formentor VZ5 has stood as a symbol of the brand's spirit and engineering.

Cupra says the re-introduction is more than a refresh and describes the VZ5 as a modern icon.