For SEAT and CUPRA fans, the wait is now over. The new CUPRA Leon has been revealed. The five-door and ST (estate) cars are available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain as well as the traditional variants. The engines on offer range from 245PS to 310PS and feature DSG shift-by-wire technology. For manual shift fans, you are out of luck. CUPRA announced previously that all CUPRA models going forward would be automatic-only.
These new models mark the CUPRA brand’s take on the next generation MK4 SEAT Leon, which was revealed last month. These Leons are the first to feature the “tribal” CUPRA badge.
“The Leon CUPRA has been a bestseller, with close to 44,000 units sold in the last generation”, said Wayne Griffiths, CUPRA CEO. “With the launch of the new CUPRA Leon, we will strengthen the CUPRA brand, by giving a new identity to a very emblematic car. The new CUPRA Leon is the KING OF LEONS.”
Normally buyers have to wait at least a year from the unveiling of a new generation Leon before the CUPRA model is shown. We have only had to wait a matter of weeks. We can thank the CUPRA brand spin-off for that.
Let’s get into the details.
Powertrain
High-performance Plug-in hybrid (eHybrid)
The hybrid-powered version of the car is available in both the hatch and estate models. The hybrids differ visually from their petrol counterparts with different wheel styles (more on that later).
CUPRA designate the car as the high-performance “CUPRA Leon eHybrid”.
Featuring a 150PS (110kW), 250Nm 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine; a 115PS (85kW) electric motor; and 13kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Combined these provide 245PS (180kW) of peak power and 400Nm of torque.
The CUPRA Leon eHybrid has an electric-only range (WLTP) of up to 60km (37 miles). Battery charging takes 3.5 hours using a 3.6kW AC Wall box, or six hours from 230V domestic socket.
The car’s CO2 emissions are below 50g/km (WLTP).
Turbocharged direct-injection Petrol (TSI)
Buyers have the choice of the 245PS (180kW) and 370Nm or the 300PS (221kW) and 400Nm engine. Both versions are front-wheel drive, available in both hatch and ST body styles.
An electronic limited-slip differential is included. It takes readings from steering angle, wheel speed and yaw, to provide grip when driven hard.
A 310PS (228kW)/400Nm 2-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine is also available, but only in the ST model.
The car has SEAT’s 4Drive technology, where the CUPRA Leon monitors the vehicle and driver inputs to deliver power to the wheel with the most grip.
The new CUPRA Leon can accelerate from 0-to-100km/h (0-62mph) in 4.8 seconds with an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph).
The Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) has a dual-clutch transmission. Ths features “shift-by-wire” technology which is designed so that the gear selector is not connected to the gearbox mechanically, instead it uses electronic signals to make shifts.
As in the previous generation DSG models, the new CUPRA Leon has wheel-mounted shift paddles.
Chassis
Cupra is looking to continue the tradition CUPRA models had under the SEAT brand of offering sharp sporty handling, often better than its cousins such as the Golf GTI and even the Golf R.
As to be expected the CUPRA Leon, features electronic power-assisted steering (EPAS) which CUPRA says “is the most progressive yet, accurately translating driver inputs to the road and connecting the driver to the conditions with immediate feedback through the steering wheel”.
Also continued over the previous generation Leon, the car features Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) constantly monitors the road surfaces and driver inputs. This includes The CUPRA Leon’s the now-familiar different driver profiles: Comfort, Sport, CUPRA and Individual. A new button featured next to the steering wheel with emblazoned with the new CUPRA logo allows the driver to easily switch between these modes. When we first saw the button we hoped it was some kind of NOS boost, but alas, sadly not!
These dynamic profiles change the vehicle’s suspension firmness, steering response, and sound, much like they do on the MK3 Leon CUPRA range.
At the front of the car is a MacPherson strut suspension setup with the rear featuring a multi-link system.
No longer an upgrade option, but fitted as standard the new CUPRA Leon has large 370mm Brembo brakes. These feature different colour schemes depending on whether you go for the eHybrid or pure petrol model.
The front (1,545mm) and rear (1,516mm) track of the vehicle are now more closely matched to the vehicle’s width (1,800mm), making it feel more grounded in the corners.
The car features a 50mm longer wheelbase (now 2,686mm) than its predecessor, giving it stability, as well as more rear legroom. The roofline has been reduced by 3mm.
The estate CUPRA Leon is 4,642mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,448mm high, while the wheelbase has an increase of 50mm more than the last generation and is 2,686mm.
The CUPRA Leon sits 25mm lower on the front axle and 20mm lower at the rear than the new SEAT Leon.
Exterior Design and Colours
The new CUPRA logo sits on the front grille, with a large front splitter and larger air intakes at the front.
The car features side skirts as standard, previous MK3 SEAT Leon CUPRA’s had this as a costly option or as part of special edition cars.
The front grilled frame is in dark chrome as are the front wings and exterior side mirrors in order to contrast with the body colour.
Five metallic paints are available. These are Candy White, Magnetic Tech, Midnight Black and Urban Silver. In addition, there are two special finishes: Desire Red and Graphene Grey. Finally, there are two matte paint options: Magnetic Tech Matte and Petrol Blue Matte. We expect these paint finished to bump up the price quite a bit based on past experience.
There are two different wheel designs depending on whether you opt for the eHybrid or Petrol model. The eHybrid wheels are designed to be more aerodynamic and almost look like blades from the side. The Brembo callipers behind these wheels feature a different colour scheme to those fitted to the Petrol car.
Both sets of wheels are exclusive to the new CUPRA and are 19-inch in size. They can be specified in black/copper or black/silver finishes – that house the copper-coloured Brembo brakes. If you opt for the lowest power 245PS model the car comes with only 18-inch alloy wheels as standard.
At the rear, the SEAT Leon’s “coast-to-coast lights” have naturally been carried.
The cars feature four exhausts (two dual) (two individual on 245PS variants). On the 5 door, eHybrid pictured the exhaust tips are integrated into the bumper and are coloured with the CUPRA copper colour.
The rear is finished off with a diffuser and spoiler as is traditional on CUPRA cars.
CUPRA claim that the new CUPRA Leon’s aerodynamics are eight per cent better than the outgoing model.
Interior Design
As premiered on the SEAT Ateca, the new Leon CUPRA features down firing lights below the wing mirrors. These project the CUPRA logo down on the floor.
Inside, bucket seats are now standard. These used to be an option on the MK3 Leon CUPRA, which felt a bit cheeky considering they were standard and one of the best features of the MK2 Leon CUPRA. We are glad these are now fitted as standard again and customers won’t be charged extra for them (although of course they will be included in the price!).
The steering wheel features the previously mentioned CUPRA button that changes the driving mode, and the engine start button has now been moved from near to the gear stick to the steering wheel. A digital dash is now also standard.
At the centre is the 10-inch infotainment touchscreen where most of the car options are now controlled.
The vehicle also now features a more compact DSG shifter.
Continuing the CUPRA tradition of darker interiors, the car features a copper and dark chrome colour scheme. The dashboard and door mouldings are finished in brushed dark aluminium.
The car also features illuminated CUPRA kickplates in the front doors and colour-coded door panels and seats.
There are two bucket seats to choose from: “Sharp Code CUPRA Tech” offers a textile upholstery with PVC lateral coverings, while “Genuine CUPRA Timeless” adds a black leather or Petrol Blue textile.
The luggage space on the ST model has increased by 30 litres.
Connectivity
The Digital Cockpit featured in the car offers the option of a bespoke ‘Sport’ view for the new CUPRA Leon, including RPM counter, current power and torque delivery, turbo pressure and longitudinal and lateral G-force accelerometer.
The standard 10-inch infotainment system that incorporates a Retina display and offers 3D online navigation, as well as voice and gesture controls.
As expected, the car is compatible with both Apple CarPlay (wirelessly) and Android Auto.
The car features improved voice recognition that allows drivers to interact with the infotainment system using natural language and commands, making corrections and referencing previous commands.
The car works with the SEAT Connect app, where users can remotely access driving data of previous journeys, car range, parking position, lock and unlock the doors, set up speed alerts so you can be warned if someone using your vehicles is driving too fast, be alerted if your vehicle has been stolen, or activate the horn and turn signals to find the car more easily in a crowded car park.
For those that opted for the Plug-in Hybrid model, the driver can review and manage the charging process, prepare the cabin for a journey by controlling the electronic air conditioning, as well as manage departure times all from the smartphone app.
Safety
The car comes with a number of clever safety features as standard.
Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses feeds from GPS data and input from the front-mounted camera and Traffic Sign Recognition, allowing it to proactively adjust the cruise speed depending on the road layout ahead.
Traffic Jam Assist maintains a safe distance to the vehicle in front, staying in lane (based on road markings) and, with Lane Assist Plus, keeps the new CUPRA Leon in its lane.
To maintain safety and meet legal requirements, the driver must continually monitor the system and their surroundings, keeping at least one hand on the steering wheel. If the vehicle senses that the driver has taken both hands off the wheel for more than 15 seconds, they will receive audible and visual warnings. A braking jolt can be given. If the driver continues to fail to respond, the Emergency Assist 3.0 system can bring the Leon to a complete stop.
Blind Spot Detection alerts the driver to another vehicle in their blind spot when on the motorway (the wraparound interior LED light flashes yellow).
Technical data
CUPRA Leon 245PS eHybrid PHEV (five-door and estate)
| Engine | 1.4 TSI |
| Cylinder/Valves | 4-cyl – 16v |
| Displacement | 1,395cc |
| Bore and stroke | 74.5 x 80.0 |
| Compression ratio | 10:1 |
| Electric motor | 85kW |
| Battery | 13kWh |
| Max. Power | 245PS |
| Max. Torque | 400Nm |
| Electric only range (WLTP) | Up to 60km |
CUPRA Leon 245PS (five-door and estate)
| Engine | 2.0 TSI |
| Cylinder/Valves | 4-cyl – 16v |
| Displacement | 1,984cc |
| Bore and stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 |
| Compression ratio | 9.6:1 |
| Max. Power | 245PS |
| Max. Torque | 370Nm |
CUPRA Leon 300PS (five-door and estate)
| Engine | 2.0 TSI |
| Cylinder/Valves | 4-cyl – 16v |
| Displacement | 1,984cc |
| Bore and stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 |
| Compression ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Max. Power | 300PS |
| Max. Torque | 400Nm |
CUPRA Leon 310PS (exclusive to estate)
| Engine | 2.0 TSI |
| Cylinder/Valves | 4-cyl – 16v |
| Displacement | 1,984cc |
| Bore and stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 |
| Compression ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Max. Power | 310PS |
| Max. Torque | 400Nm |
The new CUPRA Leon is available to pre-order from https://www.cupraofficial.co.uk/cars/cupra-range/cupra-leon/overview.html
Deliveries are expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2020 around September, October.
Let us know what you think about the car in our forums or on our social media channels.