The boffins from Seat’s sport division, CUPRA, have brewed something special. For the first time for them, they have ventured into the world of performance hybrids! They have based their new hot hatch on the fourth generation of the Leon range, and comes in two body types: five door and estate. Both have a selection of petrol engines as well as PHEV options:
Cupra Leon 5DR
· VZ2 – £34,495 / 201.8-217.3 (mpg, WLTP)
· VZ3 – £36,225 / 201.8-217.3 (mpg, WLTP)
· First Edition – £35,775 / 201.8-217.3 (mpg, WTLP)
New Cupra Leon Estate
· VZ2 – £35,525 / 188.3-201.8 (mpg, WTLP)
· VZ3 – £37,585 / 188.3-201.8 (mpg, WTLP)
· First Edition – £37,240 / 188.3-201.8 (mpg, WTLP)
The all new Cupra Leon 5DR range kicks off with the VZ2, with its 1.4lt TSI petrol engine now assisted by a 85kW electric motor and 13kWh lithium-iron battery pack. The combined power is an impressive 242bhp and 295lb ft of torque. The battery alone can take you 32 miles and can be fully recharged in under six hours with a 230V domestic socket. Don’t be alarmed when you start it, as it will always start in electric mode, and adjusts as you drive between hybrid and electric depending on the state of the battery or if the speed exceeds 130kph.
As we head up the range, the VZ3 adds much more sporty elements to the car and increased comfort and technology. 19” black and silver alloys come as standard and genuine Nappa leather bucket sport seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging and a virtual pedal with an electric tailgate (estate only). The First Edition adds lots of safety features and driver assistance as standard. Dynamic road sign display, predictive and adaptive cruise control, high beam assist and lane change assist.
The standard petrol versions of the Cupra Leon use their 2.0lt TSI petrol engine in both 5DR and estate, although a boosted bhp up to 306 is exclusive for the estate. The Leon estate also gets the 4Drive system as standard. Meanwhile, all of the models come with a duel clutch DSG automatic gearbox. They will also feature an electric limited slip diff to get you round some hot laps of your local Tesco car park!
If you worry about standing out from the standard Seat models, you need not fret! The Cupra Leon range comes with a smattering of subtle touches and upgrades to make you that bit more noticeable on the road. A lower, sharper front bumper and air intakes, a new roof spoiler and lower roofline (3mm) and Cupra badging set this car apart. It also sits lower by about 25mm at the front and 20mm at the rear. Twin tailpipes for the 1.4 TSI and quad pipes for the more powerful variants. It is finished off with a tail-light that goes right across the bumper and full LED headlights. The full range rides on 18” standard alloy wheels but options to upgrade to 19” is available, plus brakes have been upgraded to 370mm Brembo brakes.
Inside, the Cupra Leon gets sports seats, a new steering wheel with engine start/stop and driving mode selector controls. Not only that but a 10.1” infotainment touchscreen and fully digital dash with sport view, along with Android/Apple CarPlay. The cabin will have mood lighting as well, always a favourite of mine when night time driving, and dark chrome and copper to match the exterior trim. To finish off inside, boot space for the estate is 30 litres more than the hatchback version. Always the best facts kept to the end!
