With the
Ford Focus RS and
RenaultSport Mégane 250 ruling the hot-hatch headlines of late, SEAT's Leon is oft overlooked. Now the Leon Cupra R has arrived in the UK. It is the R part of the name that we are interested in here. Sporting an increased 24bhp power hike from the standard Cupra, the R produces 261bhp from the four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.
SEAT has tweaked the engine management system and increased the boost on the turbo to deliver the higher output. The Cupra R will accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph. The revisions for the engine have also given an increased torque figure of 258lb.ft, which is available from 2,500rpm. Further enhancements include reworked ratios within the Leon's six-speed gearbox and an updated high-pressure fuel injection pump.
The changes for the Cupra R can also been seen on the exterior, where a customised diffuser is coupled with twin exhaust pipes at the rear, while there is an array of 'R' badges and a high riding spoiler. CO
2 emissions sit at 190g/km, while the combined fuel economy is just under 35mpg.
Prices for the Leon Cupra R start at £25,205 and it will be available from the 1st April.
Lee Pickering - 26 Mar 2010