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SEAT Leon Cupra R

Flagship Spanish hot hatch ups ante again

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

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There’s lots to like about this hot Leon. The 2.0-litre TSI engine is a great performer, the chassis isn’t short on grip and kit is generous. But for a flagship hot hatch, the R just doesn’t excite in the way rivals do. And it’s difficult to justify the premium over the already very capable Cupra.

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COSWORTH isn’t the only company to turn up the wick on a hot hatchback – SEAT is at it, too! And the new Leon Cupra R is the Spanish firm’s most powerful car ever.

Under the bonnet lies the same 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder turbo as is found in VW’s Golf R and the Audi S3. It’s not short on punch, producing 261bhp at 6,000rpm and 350Nm of torque from just 2,500rpm.

That propels the SEAT from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds – only three-tenths slower than Ford’s mighty Focus RS. In-gear response is strong with lots of low-down urge and sustained pull right to the red line.

Surprisingly, the Cupra R is also quite efficient, delivering 34.9mpg combined economy and putting out 190g/km of CO2. Thanks to uprated brakes, sports suspension and the same XDS electronic differential as you get on a Golf GTI, it handles well, too. Body roll is virtually eliminated and there’s plenty of grip – but the ride is firm and the steering numb.

It costs £3,705 more than the standard 237bhp Cupra, too, yet this range-topping R version doesn’t bring many visual tweaks. It gets a new front grille, gloss black door mirrors, larger rear diffuser finished in the same gloss effect and twin central exhaust pipes. R logos and 19-inch alloys complete the package.

Inside, the white diamond-stitched leather sports seats stand out most, while the squared-off steering wheel and aluminium pedals add to the car’s sporty persona. Standard kit is impressive, and the rest of the cabin feels well built. So, is the R a worthy flagship? We can’t criticise
its performance potential, but the regular Cupra is nearly as fast, and much cheaper – and looks far more tempting. 

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