Seat Leon Cupra

[Canadian Turbo]

Seat has officially unveiled the Leon Cupra and Cupra 280 at the Geneva Motor Show.

Available as a three- and five-door hatchback, the models have an aggressive front bumper with larger air intakes and honeycomb mesh grille inserts. Both cars also have LED headlights, red brake calipers, tinted rear windows and a dual exhaust system.

The Cupra 280 goes a step further with an aerodynamic body kit, black mirror casing, "CUPRA" branded brake calipers and 19-inch wheels with a titanium two-tone finish.

The cabin is instantly recognizable but features a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sport seats and aluminum pedals. There's also LED ambient lighting, classic chrome or gloss black trim and an infotainment system with a 5.8-inch display.

The Cupra is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder engine that develops 265 HP (195 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. It enables the Leon SC to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in as little as 5.8 seconds when equipped with the optional DSG transmission.

The Cupra 280 features the same engine but has a more powerful output of 280 HP (206 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the Leon SC to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in as little as 5.7 seconds with the DSG gearbox.

Speaking of performance, both models come nicely equipped with dynamic chassis control, a limited slip differential and a progressive steering system that promises to provide agile handling.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Seat Leon Cupra

No slouch on the track either:

Seat has confirmed today in Geneva the Leon Cupra 280 DSG is now the front-wheel drive king around the Nürburgring circuit.

The weapon of choice to tackle the 'Ring was a Leon Cupra 280 DSG configured with an optional performance package encompassing different 19-inch alloys, Brembo brakes and most importantly, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Thanks to a powerful 4-cylinder 2.0-liter TSI engine packing 280 HP (206 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), the hot Spanish hatchback managed to complete the lap in 7 minutes and 58.4 seconds.

It's actually the first front-wheel drive car to do a sub-eight minute lap as the previous record holder, the Renault Megane RS Trophy, held the crown up until now with an 8m 7.97s time. The Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG was driven by Jordi Gene who was an official Seat driver between the 2003 and 2010 seasons in the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) and World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). In addition, he was also a valuable member of the team in charge of developing the model.

The Leon Cupra 280 is the company's most powerful and fastest road-going model as it can do 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.7 seconds before topping out at 155 mph (250 km/h). It will probably remain the fastest FWD car around the Nürburgring at least until the Honda Civic Type R due in 2015.

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Seat Leon Cupra

Pretty sweet.

Was more looking for a new valence that everyone was going to be putting on their cars.

[CGY_GTI]

Re: Seat Leon Cupra

I'd drive one. Probably one of the best looking hatchbacks out there

[witchcraftz]

Re: Seat Leon Cupra

I dig it. Couldn't you take a Mk7 golf and swap fronts?

[Kor]

Re: Seat Leon Cupra

To me the wheels are like 1 size too big. But I love the coupe.

[96vwVR6]

Re: Seat Leon Cupra

I can dig it, always been a fan of the Cupra's, prefer the 5 door over the 3 in this one.