Photo: S. Baldauf / R. Kah
If there's one mainstream car brand we're completely in love with right now, that would be SEAT. Their products just speak to the keen driver, as is the case with the new Leon ST Cupra 280 presented in Geneva. It's basically the same car as the Cupra coupe and 5-door, but with room for bikes or large dogs in the back.
The same 280 horsepower 2.0 TSI helped SEAT set a record lap around the Nurburgring in 2014. And even though Honda and Renault have launched faster models since then, none have the boot capacity of the ST Cupra.
The styling remains conservative, with none of the flair old Cupra models had. Sure the wheels are bigger and the spoilers protrude outwards, but very few people will know you're driving a 280 hp car… until you press the accelerator pedal and go from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.
Everything we liked about all the Leon models we've driven is still here. From the aluminum pedals to the triangular LED headlights, this effervescent SEAT cries out for attention. Of course, it doesn't hurt that trunk is the size of a small house. With the rear bench folded flat, up to 1,470 liters (51.9 cu-ft) of Ikea goodies can be stuffed into the road rocket.
Fuel economy isn't bad either, partially due to the advanced EA888 engine, but also to the drive mode selector. In eco mode, the official combined number is 6.6 l/100 km for DSG models or 6.7 l/100 km (35.1 mpg US) with the manual gearbox. This equates to CO2 figures of 154 and 157 grams.
Before going off to your local dealer to buy one, know that Volkswagen also sells a 300 horsepower Golf R Variant. It's basically the same car with 20 extra hp and standard all-wheel drive. While the German model is a little faster, it also costs more to buy...
The styling remains conservative, with none of the flair old Cupra models had. Sure the wheels are bigger and the spoilers protrude outwards, but very few people will know you're driving a 280 hp car… until you press the accelerator pedal and go from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.
Everything we liked about all the Leon models we've driven is still here. From the aluminum pedals to the triangular LED headlights, this effervescent SEAT cries out for attention. Of course, it doesn't hurt that trunk is the size of a small house. With the rear bench folded flat, up to 1,470 liters (51.9 cu-ft) of Ikea goodies can be stuffed into the road rocket.
Fuel economy isn't bad either, partially due to the advanced EA888 engine, but also to the drive mode selector. In eco mode, the official combined number is 6.6 l/100 km for DSG models or 6.7 l/100 km (35.1 mpg US) with the manual gearbox. This equates to CO2 figures of 154 and 157 grams.
Before going off to your local dealer to buy one, know that Volkswagen also sells a 300 horsepower Golf R Variant. It's basically the same car with 20 extra hp and standard all-wheel drive. While the German model is a little faster, it also costs more to buy...
Google News