2009 Seat Leon Cupra

Seat UK has released images and preliminary details of the Seat Leon Cupra to be revealed in full at the Barcelona Motor Show (9-17 May). Just look at the drama of that side crease line. It is simply stunning!

Of course, the Seat range is based on Volkswagen underpinnings and this Seat takes a bunch of good stuff from the Mk6 Golf GTI. Although, with the car’s 2.0 litre turbo four cylinder pumping out an impressive 176kW that has been given a lot more Spanish spice compared to the GTI (155kW). The XDS, an electronic diff thingy, is all Golf, however.

There is no mention in this early release of Dynamic Chassis Control, a system able to change suspension characteritics at the push of  a button.

More pics and Seat press statement after the jump.

SEAT RELEASES FIRST DETAILS OF NEW LEON CUPRA AND IBIZA FR

SEAT is releasing first details of the forthcoming new Leon Cupra and Ibiza FR, two hot hatches that further strengthen the ‘sporty’ gene which lies at the very core of the dynamic Spanish brand.

Both cars are set to make their world debuts at the Barcelona Motor Show (9 to 17 May), with UK sales commencing around July for the Leon Cupra and September for the Ibiza FR. Prices will be announced closer to their respective on-sale dates.

Cupra is the hottest badge in the SEAT hierarchy and therefore the 240 PS TSI Leon version will, as before, sit above the Leon FR models that have already been unveiled (which have a choice of 2.0 TDI CR 170 PS or 2.0 TSI 211 PS engines). Meanwhile, the Ibiza Cupra, which has already been previewed at the Paris Motor Show last year, will now be joined by this barely less swift FR TSI version.

New Leon Cupra – an even more appealing flagship

With the arrival of the 2009 version of the Leon, SEAT’s flagship now features even more dramatic looks thanks to several new design elements introduced both inside and out. Its eye-catching appearance makes it the perfect road-going reflection of the Leon that is making phenomenal strides in the WTCC World Touring Car Championship.

The most obvious enhancement is to the ‘face’, featuring bold vents beneath the honeycomb central grille, while the new bumper houses two further black highlights, one at each side, with the word ‘CUPRA’ immediately visible on the left.

At the back the drama continues, with prominent black moulding at the bumper’s base, a polished steel oval tailpipe and the characteristic model name emblazoned across the centre of the hatch.

A side look at the new Cupra reveals lower ground clearance compared with other Leon versions, making the car look and indeed feel more like a track car. Spectacular 18-inch alloy wheels and gloss black door mirror housings are also distinctive traits of this range-topping SEAT.

All interior elements are clad in black, reflecting customer tastes in the high-end hot hatch market. In addition, a leather-covered steering wheel with aluminium colour inserts and the ‘CUPRA’ logo at its flattened base is complemented by a matching gearknob. Adding further sportiness are aluminium pedals.

Special mention goes to the Leon Cupra’s seats, with their authentic racing-bucket styling, featuring integrated headrests and the ‘CUPRA’ logo proudly stitched into the backrests. These seats offer tremendous side support when dealing with high-speed corners, as well as more driving comfort. Attractive new black leather upholstery with white cross-stitching is now available as an option.

As with the previous version, the new Leon Cupra is equipped with a powerful 240 PS 2.0-litre TSI engine, providing emphatically strong performance along with impressive fuel economy figures. Top speed is 153 mph and the benchmark 0 to 62 mph sprint takes only 6.4 seconds, yet average combined fuel consumption is 34 mpg.

The new Leon Cupra features standard equipment such as the new XDS system (an electronic system which mimics the function of a mechanical limited slip differential), ABS and TCS, ESP with EBA emergency braking, low tyre-pressure warning, driver and passenger airbags, side airbag and head airbag, climate control, cornering foglights, trip computer, cruise control and sports suspension, among others.