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SEAT Leon Cupra R Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 3
First production year: 2002
Engines: Gasoline
Body style: Hatchback
SEAT Leon Cupra R photo gallery

In 2017, SEAT unveiled the most powerful version of a road-car ever produced by the Spanish company: the Leon Cupra R. It was based on the regular Cupra, but it was closer to the Golf R.

After Volkswagen bought the SEAT brand, it started to slowly increase its image on the market. Even though all of them featured powerplants and transmissions and parts from other Volkswagen Group brands, it had its development strategy that involved racing. Its sportier versions were appreciated by its customers. That made them try a new approach, with the Leon Cupra R.

From the outside, the main difference between the Leon Cupra and the R version was the color. There was a choice of three special colors to chose from Midnight Black, Pyrenees Grey (neither with extra cost), and the exclusive Matte Grey. In the back, under the bumper, the Leon Cupra R featured four exhausts for the four-cylinder engine.

Inside, there were few differences, starting with a better look for the sport-bucket seats. They featured an integrated headrest. But the rear bench was just as regular as in any other SEAT Leon, with a nicer upholstery. The instrument cluster featured some copper-like details, just to remind the driver that that is a Cupra (copper) car.

The 2.0-liter engine offered 310 hp for the manual version and 10 hp less if the car was equipped with the 7-speed DSG (dual-clutch) gearbox.

full description and technical specifications
SEAT Leon Cupra R photo gallery

It was the Spanish brother of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and it shared the same mechanical drivetrain and platform with it. The 2009 SEAT Leon Cupra R was an unsung hero of the hot-hatch segment.

The SEAT brand was in need of an image vector and that image was the Leon. So, the SEAT received the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf and, along with that, came the special 2.0 TFSI engine installed in the GTI.

From the outside, the Leon Cupra R had some details to tell the difference from a base model. It featured specific 19" light-alloy wheels, a roof spoiler, an "R" badge on the honeycomb grille and on the tailgate. There were some other specific Cupra R details such as the black rearview mirror case, the word CUPRA on the tailgate and a steel oval exhaust pipe.

Inside there were a lot of differences, starting with the very nice sport bucket-seats. Those were massive and it affected the rear passenger's view and took some of the legroom. But they were meant to hold their occupants in place while hard cornering.

Under the hood, there was the 2.0-TFSI engine upgraded from the Cupra 240 hp version to 265 hp. But there were more performance-oriented upgrades. The gearbox was slightly adjusted and the traction system was adjusted via an XDS system that mimicked a self-locking differential. The suspension was tuned and the car was lowered 17 mm (0.6") when compared with a standard Leon. A new, high-performance braking system with larger discs front and back helped the car stopped better.

full description and technical specifications
SEAT Leon Cupra R photo gallery

The Spanish brand SEAT, owned by Volkswagen, focused on a sporty, young image, and besides the Cupra, it also made an even more powerful version, the Cupra R, for the Leon lineup.

Built on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf, the Leon was more of a mundane vehicle, although well-designed and very practical. Yet, the automaker asked for more, and customers enjoyed the sporty Cupra version, which was more of a Spanish version of the Golf GTI. But then, the carmaker started to create even more powerful versions, such as the Cupra 4 and the Cupra R.

While the overall shape of the car was similar to the rest of the Leon range, the Cupra R featured a different front spoiler. In the lower bumper, the automaker installed a wide grille in the middle, flanked by a pair of scoops that hosted the fog lamps. In addition, a lip spoiler adorned the lower edge of the bumper. From its profile, the five double-spoke 18” light-alloy wheels were unique for this sportiest version of the Leon. Finally, at the back, the car featured an oval-shaped tailpipe instead of a double one.

Inside, SEAT installed high-bolstered bucket seats at the front wrapped in a combination of leather and Alcantara. In addition, the driver was spoiled with a set of aluminum pedals that enhanced the car's sporty orientation. Another improvement was found inside the instrument cluster. There, the carmaker placed white dials with red needles. Last but not least, the three-spoke steering wheel sported an aluminum “R” badge.

Since it was based on the same platform as the first generation of the Audi TT, it carried over its 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine available in a choice of two power outputs. Unfortunately, none of them was available with an all-wheel drive system.

full description and technical specifications