The Cupra, which is at least marketing-technical soaked from Seat, today not only opens a new head office, but also presents a series of new products based on the recently presented Seat Leon.
We are currently getting to know the Cupra Leon in the new “Cupra Garage” in Martorell, Spain. It appears in two body styles and no fewer than four different engine versions, unique for a performance model in this segment. Three of the four Cupra Leons have a 2.0 TSI gasoline engine, which in all cases is linked to a DSG automatic transmission. The 2.0 delivers 245 or 300 hp in the hatchback and Sportstourer, depending on how much money is transferred to the Spanish account number. In addition, there is an absolute top version, which is slightly more powerful with 310 hp. The fastest Cupra Leon is strikingly enough only as a Sportstourer, has 4Drive four-wheel drive at all times and can jump from 0 to 100 km / h in less than 5 seconds. Cupra keeps acceleration figures of the other variants under control for a while, but will undoubtedly be revealed at a later stage.
The most interesting variant for the Netherlands, however, is undoubtedly the eHybrid. This plug-in hybrid shares its powertrain with the Golf GTE and has 245 hp just like in that car. Instead of a 2.0, a 1.4 turbo engine is responsible for burning gasoline, while a 115 hp electric motor supports the whole. With a battery of 13 kWh the “plug-Cupra” can reach a maximum of 60 km according to the WLTP cycle, as much as its 204-horsepower brother with the Seat logo. The theoretical CO2 emissions thus come to less than 50 grams per kilometer, a favorable starting point for the BPM calculations. Although no prizes are known at the time of writing, chances are that this eHybrid will by far become the cheapest Cupra Leon in the Netherlands.
Buyer
Of course, the Cupra Leons distinguish themselves not only with more power, but also with a modified chassis. According to Cupra, the adaptive DCC dampers ensure that the car can be both comfortable and extremely sporty, with the latter assisted by the progressive steering and an electronic differential lock. Large Brembo brakes provide sufficient stopping power.
We see few surprises on the outside of the Cupra Leon. The car distinguishes itself from the regular Leon by special bumpers, the bronze elements of the Cupra Ateca, large wheels and of course the well-known logos. In addition, the bodywork at the front 25 and at the rear 20 mm has been brought closer to the asphalt. The 245 horsepower versions are at 18-inch, while the more powerful versions are equipped with 19-inch wheels as standard. The toppers of the series can also be recognized by the number of exhaust tailpipes: eHybrid and entry-level 2.0 get two, the other versions four. Those who find a Cupra not distinctive enough can look forward to a choice of six different wheel designs and eight body colors, including two matt variants.
The headstrong color theme, consisting of the well-known copper color and dark chrome, is continued in the interior of the Cupra Leon. In addition, there are extra sporty seats and there is a real Cupra steering wheel, on which the start button and the driving position selector are located. The digital instruments also have a Sport View screen, which is unique to the Cupra version of the Leon.
Seat Leon Cupra 310
310 hp is not bad, but in the Netherlands we have been known since 2008 with a Leon with so much power. The importer presented that year a 310 hp version of the Seat Leon Cupra specially for our country, based on the second generation of the model. At the time that was extremely high, nowadays the Cupra Leon with this ability is neatly in line with the competition. Naturally, it does not come from its own ranks. Where all sporty versions at Seat are now offered under the Cupra label, Volkswagen brings more layers to the whole. The 245-horsepower Hybrid is, as said, called GTE, its petrol brother GTI and the 300-horsepower top version will undoubtedly be entered as R again.