Despite announcing the
Leon's facelift a good couple of months ago, SEAT has saved the Leon until later so we'll have a proper look at the 238bhp flagship - rather than losing it among the 1.6-litre ones (not that there's much wrong with those, you understand).
Here it is then, in all its 2.0-litre TSI, 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds glory. As before, the Cupra is marked out from the lowlier versions by way of a wide-bore chrome tailpipe, a different rear bumper, black wing mirror caps and a tasty body kit. Inside, the 'Cupra' branded bucket seats remain, though this time you can specify them with Bentley-esque chequered leather upholstery - there's no VW Group member SEAT is too small to pilfer from these days, it seems.
It also gets 18-inch wheels and lowered suspension and a new front bumper with 'Cupra' written on it so that people you're tailgating will be more scared. The standard issue sporty VW Group car flat-bottomed steering wheel is there too, but they're cool, so we're down with that, and there are some aluminium pedals.
Top speed is 153mph, and the new Leon Cupra will return economy in the mid-thirties if you're careful, though we're not sure what VED band it's in yet, nor how much it will cost, despite going on sale right after its unveil in June.
Mark Nichol - 20 Apr 2009