Photo: SEAT
If you're a hot hatch fan that lovers VW's TSI turbos and slick DSG gearboxes, but think the Golf GTI is just not exciting enough to look at or drive, we've got big news for you. Spanish carmaker SEAT has just revealed its new Leon flagship models: the Cupra and Cupra 280, available for both 3-door SC and regular 5-door.
The most amazing car of the bunch is the Leon Cupra 280 with DSG. It's the fastest production car SEAT has ever put together, capable of going 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds. But even the base Cupra with a 265 hp version of the 2.0 TSI still takes 5.9 seconds to reach the hundred.
The reason for this monster performance to shame the Renault Megane RS and Ford Focus ST is the quick response of the new 2.0 TSI engine, which as we said comes in two stages of tune. There's a 265 hp version and a 280 hp version, but both come with the same 350 Nm of torque, from just 1,750 rpm all the way up to 5,300 rpm. All this is done with CO2 emissions of only 150 g/km. By comparison the second generation Leon Cupra R with 265 PS emitted 190 g/km CO2.
On the tech side, all Cupra models are fitted as standard with a mechanical front axle differential lock, a progressive steering system that sharpens at speed, DCC dynamic chassis control to alter the suspension settings between sportier or more comfort-oriented, and two-stage deactivation of the electronic stability control (ESC) – including the ability to turn it off entirely.
The reason for this monster performance to shame the Renault Megane RS and Ford Focus ST is the quick response of the new 2.0 TSI engine, which as we said comes in two stages of tune. There's a 265 hp version and a 280 hp version, but both come with the same 350 Nm of torque, from just 1,750 rpm all the way up to 5,300 rpm. All this is done with CO2 emissions of only 150 g/km. By comparison the second generation Leon Cupra R with 265 PS emitted 190 g/km CO2.
On the tech side, all Cupra models are fitted as standard with a mechanical front axle differential lock, a progressive steering system that sharpens at speed, DCC dynamic chassis control to alter the suspension settings between sportier or more comfort-oriented, and two-stage deactivation of the electronic stability control (ESC) – including the ability to turn it off entirely.
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