Cupra Leon: new face, more electric and stronger

Almost two years ago, Cupra drove an extensively facelifted Leon onto the stage and we did not expect that it would take until 2024 before it was fully shown. Yet it really took until now. We will not make it more beautiful than it is: despite its considerably changed nose, the facelifted Leon is no longer a surprising sight. As far as we can see, nothing has changed in the meantime regarding the now more closed nose and the headlights with triangular elements. The back was still shrouded in mystery. We also spotted new lighting with similar triangles and the (now illuminated) logo is included in the lighting. The rear bumper is a bit more angular in shape and that gives the car a somewhat sportier appearance at the back than before.

After the Golf

In the interior of the facelifted Cupra Leon, the arrival of new infotainment is the biggest news. The 12.9-inch screen and the illuminated climate control with ‘sliders’ underneath are of course familiar to us from other Volkswagen Group models, such as the recently updated Volkswagen Golf with which the Leon shares its basis. Cupra has also used new materials to make the interior feel more high-quality, and there is also a Sennheiser sound system with twelve speakers.

On a technical level, the arrival of new plug-in hybrid powertrains is especially interesting. A 1.5 TSI and electric motor together generate 204 hp or 272 hp system power. Both plug-in hybrid powertrains give the Cupra Leon eHybrid an electric driving range of at least 100 km, thanks to a 19.7 kWh battery pack. You can count on the fact that ‘at least 100 km’ in practice amounts to around 130 km according to the WLTP cycle. This previously appeared to be the case with the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid, among others. You can top up with 11 kW on an AC charger, or 50 kW on a DC fast charger. The stronger of the two, the VZ eHybrid with 272 hp system power, can optionally be equipped with a Brembo braking system.

333 hp Cupra Leon Sportstourer

The Cupra Leon is also available with a 150 hp mild-hybrid 1.5 TSI (now a 48V system) and DSG, and there is also the 150 hp 1.5 TSI without electrical support, which is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox. For the hatchback, the 300 hp 2.0 TSI, which is always connected to a DSG, is the crème de la crème, the Sportstourer is at the top of the food chain with a 333 hp strong copy. The same power source as in the Volkswagen Golf R and Audi S3, here also linked to a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. That four-wheel drive Cupra Leon Sportstourer VZ has, among other things, a torque splitter and just like with the Golf R, there is also a real Drift Mode. There is also a milder 204 hp 2.0 TSI purely and only available for the Cupra Leon Sportstourer.

Finally, there is also one diesel version available; a 150 hp 2.0 TDI. We don’t expect the latter here in the Netherlands. Speaking of which; the question remains which versions we will get. In any case, the plug-ins, logically also the mild-hybrid versions, but we also hope for the 333 hp top performer. As soon as more is known, you will hear it here. The prices will also follow.