New Leon Cupra is Most Powerful Seat Ever with Up to 276HP [w/Video]

Following yesterday’s leaked photos, Seat released official details of the new top model of the Leon range, the Leon Cupra, which is available in two flavors, one with 262hp (265PS) and the other with 276hp (280PS).

The latter is the most powerful series production car ever made by Seat (the 310PS Leon Cupra R Limited Edition was created by Seat Netherlands and offered only in 100 units). In both states of tune, the engine produces 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque.

Available from the start as either a five-door or three-door, the new Leon Cupra is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI petrol engine with dual injection and variable camshaft timing. The Cupra also benefits from other features including a front differential lock, the DCC dynamic chassis control, progressive steering and the Cupra Drive Profile. The latter consists of three different driving modes: Comfort, Sport and Cupra.

The top Leon Cupra 280 with optional DSG transmission sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.7 seconds (5.8 seconds with the manual gearbox) and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The base Leon Cupra is only marginally slower, needing 5.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill (5.9 seconds with manual transmission).

Seat says the new Leon Cupra is also more fuel-efficient than its predecessor thanks to the start/stop and brake energy regeneration systems, with both variants averaging 6.4 l/100 km (36.7 mpg US) when fitted with the DSG gearbox and 6.6 l/100 km (35.6 mpg US) with the manual gearbox. CO2 emissions vary between 149 and 154 grams per kilometer.

Design-wise, the Cupra stands out from regular Leon models thanks to larger air intakes, rear skirt with diffuser effect, rear spoiler, the two oval end pipes, tinted side and rear windows, exclusive 18- or 19-inch wheels in titanium finish and red brake callipers. Inside, the Leon Cupra features a new sports steering wheel with shift paddles for the DSG transmission, sports seats in dark grey Alcantara with white stitching and aluminum pedals and entry sills.

The car will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with full pricing to be announced closer to launch. In the UK, the Leon Cupra will start from £25,690 (€30,930).

By Dan Mihalascu

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