Cupra Leon
Since it was first slapped on the rear end of Seats with a performance bent in 1996, it’s fair to say Cupra‘s come a long way. Reinvented as a standalone performance brand in 2018 with a spiky logo and a coppery signature hue, it’s now a fair distance apart from parent company Seat, with four Cupra-only models either on sale now or in the very near future.
Whether Cupra severs all ties with Seat models in the future remains to be seen. But for now it still makes high performance versions of Seat’s Ateca SUV and what we have here; the Leon.
Distinguishing marks
The Cupra Leon may share a name and many elements with the Seat equivalent, but visually the two are further apart than they’ve ever been. The entire front end of the Cupra has been redesigned; from the headlights to the grille to the bumper it’s been made so much more aggressive that it’s nearly unrecognisable.
From the side is probably the Cupra Leon’s most familiar angle but it sits low with the spec-dependent 18 or 19″ alloys leaving the proverbial cigarette-paper gap between the tyre and the wheel arch. The rear gets a full-width tail-light, or ‘coast-to-coast‘ as Cupra ever-so glamorously name it, just like the Seat but this one incorporates a 3D illuminated Cupra badge for added drama and distinction.
The transition from Seat product to Cupra is actually more difficult to highlight inside than out as there are fewer parts to option. That said, Cupra has pulled it off quite successfully by picking the low hanging fruit and swapping the largest, most visual bits i.e. seats and steering wheel for some dramatic pieces that can’t fail to grab attention.
More buttons please
There’s a full-width light bar following the line from front doors to under the windscreen and, along with some matching lights in the doors their colour can be altered to suit the mood. The design and materials used wouldn’t be lost in a more ‘premium’ VAG product but unfortunately neither would the touch-screen-tastic method of adjusting every viable via the new 12.9″ infotainment system. The revolution has begun and it involves buttons, dials and switches.
A Cupra Leon for everyone?
Pretty-much since the birth of the hot-hatch genre there’s been more than one version to choose from, usually with different power outputs etc; think 205 GTi 1.6 & 1.9, Golf GTi 8v & 16v, Clio 182 & 182 Cup – the list goes on but you get the idea. The Cupra Leon takes this approach to a whole new level. There are seven trim levels to choose from which is unusual for a hot-hatch, ranging from V1 up to VZ First Edition but then the drivetrains within those specs range from the fairly mundane 1.5 TSI engine with 149bhp, right up to the extreme end of the scale we have here which is a 2.0 TSI with 298bhp. In between there’s a 203bhp and a 271bhp but then there’s all manner of gearbox and electrical assistance options.
Where hot-hatches are usually pretty-much as they come and you just pick the colour and wheels, the Cupra Leon is more like a family hatch; there’s the right one for every buyer.
How fast is the Cupra Leon?
If that buyer happens to need the ability to get from 0-62mph in 5.7s before topping out at 155mph, then this 300PS DSG version is probably the one for them. The acceleration you get from 298bhp coupled to that DSG ‘box is instant, not just from standstill where the turbo copes admirably at low revs, but on the go too. The mid-range just always feels ready to go and the whole powertrain only tails off at the very top end where the Cupra Leon starts to run out of puff.
Electronic LSD
The handling is direct and the steering ultra-responsive, regardless of which setting is selected. It’s hard to believe there’s nearly 300bhp going through the front wheels alone, the electronic LSD does such a good job of reeling everything in and keeping it relatively serene. There is a 4WD Cupra Leon but it’s currently the estate version only and that’s a story for another time.
Do you really need all that power?
Now, this is going to upset a few, but as much as the full-fat Cupra Leon is a mightily impressive piece of kit that could even be a track-day tool, it may all be a bit much for some. There’s no option to really tone the performance down for when you just want to calmly cruise along. Like we said, though, the Cupra Leon range is wide and varied. The 149bhp engine is the same output as those found in the Seat Leon FR so maybe it doesn’t really warrant a Cupra badge. We haven’t driven the 203bhp and 271bhp versions but they could offer all the performance you may need without such an intense driving experience.
Should I buy a Cupra Leon?
Some say petrol hot-hatches are all but dead, relics from a by-gone age. The Cupra Leon combines the tried and test recipe of increased power through the front wheels of a family hatch, and its latest facelift sets it apart from its Seat base model. It doesn’t come cheap, though; even moderate performance will set you back circa £40k and the 298bhp version is knocking on the door of £50k.
By Ben Harrington
2024 Cupra Leon VZ2 300PS DSG Specifications:
Engine – 2.0l petrol, Transmission – 7-speed DSG, Layout – Front engine, FWD, Power – 298bhp,Torque – 400Nm, Emissions – 173g/km CO2, Economy – 37.2mpg, Maximum Speed – 155mph, Acceleration – 5.7s – 0-62mph, Price – £44,635 OTR
The 2024 Cupra Leon is available now, priced from £31,770. For full details go to:www.cupraofficial.co.uk
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