New Leon CUPRA, Seat’s most powerful car to date

SEAT is launching the all new Leon CUPRA, the brand’s most powerful series-production car, in February.

The Leon CUPRA will be offered as a five-door and as the Leon SC CUPRA Sport Coupe with three doors.

At its core will be an all-new 2.0 TSI engine with dual injection and variable camshaft timing.

Depending on the version, the engine delivers an output of 195 kW/265 PS or 206 kW/280 PS.

The CUPRA 280 reaches a top speed of 250 km/h, and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds.

This figure is reduced to 5.7 with the optional direct shift gearbox (DSG) transmission.

The 256 version is no more than a fraction slower, with an acceleration time standing at 5.9 seconds with manual transmission and 5.8 seconds with DSG.

The average fuel consumption for both power variants is 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres (6.4 litres with DSG).

This equates to CO2 figures of just 149 and 154 grammes.

Compared to its predecessor, it means a reduction in emissions of 41 grammes.

In terms of design, the new front end of the Leon CUPRA features large air intakes and full LED headlamps.

The rear skirt is marked with a diffuser effect and two oval end pipes.

The focus of the interior is on the CUPRA sports steering wheel, with shift paddles for the optional DSG transmission, as well as the top sports seats in dark grey Alcantara finished with white stitching.

The pedals and entry sills are made from aluminium.

The CUPRA 280 is visually differentiated by its 19-inch wheels with a titanium paint finish, CUPRA lettering on the brake callipers and black exterior mirror housings.

Inside the new Leon CUPRA a 5.8-inch colour touchscreen is among the standard interior features.

One particular feature is the ambient lightning.

LEDs in the door panels emphasiswe the contours of the interior design.

At the same time, the ambient lightning offers occupants improved orientation and a greater sense of spaciousness.