2021 Cupra Leon gets SEVEN performance specs at once

Following the debut of the ‘mundane’ Seat Leon a month ago, Cupra has unveiled the performance-oriented modifications of the hatchback and the estate/wagon. There is seven in total!

While Volkswagen and Skoda prefer to test our patience by slowly revealing their power-packed Golf and Octavia variants, the Spanish car marque does us a favor by revealing the entire performance lineup at once. Let us see what is on offer.

The entry-level Cupra Leon comes powered by the same 2.0-liter, turbo-four-cylinder mill as the upcoming VW Golf GTI and Skoda Octavia RS. It is even rated the same at 245 hp (183 kW) and 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque.

The Leon Hybrid packs the same 1.4-liter turbo-four powertrain as the Golf GTE and Skoda Octavia RS iV. It produces 245 hp (188 kW) along with 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). A 13-kWh battery gives the model up to 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) of WLTP-rated range.

The next spec packs 300 hp (224 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) and shares the tech with the future Golf GTI TCR (Octavia seems to do without this particular engine). If you want all-wheel drive, then like in the previous generation, you need to opt for the Cupra Leon estate/wagon and not the hatchback. On the plus side, you gain a minor power boost to 310 hp (231 kW) with the AWD. The six-speed manual transmission becomes history, and DSG becomes standard for the whole range.

The range-topping wagon needs less than five seconds to get from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) and maxes out at its usual 250 km/h (155 mph). The acceleration times of all other specs remain unannounced.

There are other aspects in which Cupra vehicles differ from their Seat counterparts. This includes lower suspension (-25mm / 1” front, -20mm / 0.8” rear), Brembo brakes, larger air intakes, contrast-rich accents, 18- and 19-inch wheels, and sported-up interior with Dark Chrome details. Leather-wrapped seats with power adjustment and memory functions are a paid option.

The Cupra Leon range should enter the market closer towards the end of 2020, and the prices are still pending.