The Cupra Leon is up for a mid-lifecycle update, following the lead of its facelifted VW Golf GTI counterpart. However, existing owners seeking a refresh now have more option, thanks to German tuner JE Design. Their newly introduced package for the Spanish hot hatch includes a bodykit, 19-inch wheels, lowered suspension, and an oversized rear wing that is hard to miss.
Let’s address the elephant in the room first: the racing-style wing is quite the attention-grabber, rivaling the iconic whale tail of the Ford Escort RS Cosworth in terms of visual impact. This fixed spoiler features prominent side blades, an aluminum gooseneck base in the center, and dual-wing attachments on top.
JE Design boasts that this configuration provides 396 lbs / 180 kg of downforce on the rear axle when cruising at 200 km/h (124 mph), but it’s likely that most customers will opt for it primarily for its aesthetic appeal.
Cupra Leon Widebody RS by JE Design
Setting aside the enormous wing, the rest of the bodykit is carried over from the Cupra Leon Sportstourer with minor tweaks. The most notable feature is the front and rear fender extensions that increase the width of the hatchback. The front splitter has a longitudinally adjustable middle section (Race and Steet position) and side winglets that are purely decorative unlike the ones attached to the side skirts which are said to improve airflow and brake ventilation.
The glossy black pieces are made of ABS and can be painted, while the mirror cap covers are made of genuine carbon.
More: 2024 Cupra Leon Almost Ready To Reveal Tavascan-Style Face
For those who want something more subtle, the kit is also available without the wing. Alternatively, JE Design offers a more subtle “Street Race Kit” for the Cupra Leon, comprising a less prominent splitter, matching side skirts, and rear spoiler extensions.
The tuner offers a selection of wheel designs measuring 18, 19, or 20 inches, wrapped in performance tires. Furthermore, a set of lowering suspension springs brings the Leon closer ground by 20 mm (0.8 inches) at the front and by 10 mm (0.4 inches) at the rear, while being compatible with the factory-fit electronic DCC system.
You can find all of the available upgrades for the Cupra Leon on JE Design’s online shop. As you can imagine, the most expensive component is the rear wing which is priced at €2,799 ($3,035).
The Widebody RS kit draws inspiration from the track-focused JE Design Cupra Leon Widebody RS-R, which achieved a lap time of 1:32.82 at the Sachsenring circuit in October 2023.
The RS-R version was equipped with an even more extreme KW Clubsport coilover suspension, 18-inch ATS GTR rims fitted with Dunlop Direzza 03 G tires, a LiteBlox battery that sheds 15 kg (33 lbs) compared to stock, and an APR performance upgrade that boosted the output of the turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine to 385 hp (287 kW / 390 PS).
