SEAT Leon Cupra R

The SEAT Leon Cupra R is coming! This hot hatch has 265PS from a 2 litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine. This makes it (by quite a margin) the fastest Leon in the range – and one of the more potent hot hatches now on the market.

All the power goes to the front wheels, but the powerful Cupra R still manages a sprint of 0-62 in 6.1 seconds, while the top speed of 155mph is more than capable. Staggeringly, you’ll be able to maintain almost 35mpg from this thing – despite the performance.

Inside and out, the exclusive nature of the Spanish maker’s new model is obvious to the enthusiast thanks to the distinctive letter ‘R’ on the central grille and at the lower right of the hatch.  The all-important initial also appears inside, on the right instrument dial and the remote control key. Meanwhile, the exclusive Cupra logo graces the front bumper, the centre of the hatch and, inside, the steering wheel and seat backrests.

Further distinctive detailing which underlines the Cupra R’s extreme nature includes arch-filling 19-inch, five double-spoke alloys shod with ultra-low profile 235/35 tyres.  The wheel assembly also enables a set of generous 17-inch 345 x 30 mm front disc brakes with 16-inch 286 x 12 mm at the rear, uprated to deliver the greater braking capacity obviously required to keep that 265 PS safely in check.

Excited? Yeah – I think it’s a great looking little hot hatch that will no doubt be great fun to drive.