Almost as a gift for the opening of CUPRA Garage, its new headquarters, the Spanish brand did not shy away from revealing a new generation (although transitioning from SEAT to CUPRA) of its most emblematic model: the CUPRA Leon — and we couldn't miss this event at Martorell.
The CUPRA Leon (formerly SEAT Leon CUPRA) is a success story. The generation that now ceases to function has sold more than 44,000 units, a significant number, considering that it is the top-of-the-range Leon, in performance and positioning.
Like its predecessor, the new CUPRA Leon will be available with two bodies — hatchback (five doors) and Sportstourer (van) — but the range will be much more extensive.
Spanish hot hatch and hot… brake(?) news
Rumors had denounced it for a long time, and CUPRA would confirm it more recently: for the first time in its history, CUPRA Leon will also be electrified — it won't stop there, but we'll be right there...
This new generation introduces for the first time a plug-in hybrid engine. Despite being an unprecedented version, the hybrid engine that constitutes it is already familiar. It is the same driving group that was announced for the “cousins”, and also new ones, Volkswagen Golf GTE and Skoda Octavia RS.
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In other words, we are talking about a thermic engine, the 1.4 TSI 150 hp and 250 Nm, which will work together with a 115 hp electric motor, guaranteeing a total combined power of 245 hp and a combined maximum torque of 400 Nm — values for the benefits have not yet been advanced.
Powering the electric machine is a 13 kWh battery, and being an externally chargeable hybrid, for those occasions when we're not in knife-to-tooth mode, the new CUPRA Leon hybrid plug-in is capable of traveling up to 60 km (WLTP) in electric-only mode . To recharge the batteries, it takes 3.5 hours when connected to a Wallbox, or 6 hours from a household outlet (230 V).
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Pure combustion, 3x
If the plug-in hybrid version of the CUPRA Leon appears to respond to the challenges and impositions of our days, interestingly, there is still room for a compact family of high-performance purely combustion.
The EA888, the well-known inline four-cylinder 2.0 l turbo (TSI), which has served the previous generation exemplarily, is back and will be available in three flavors, which is like saying three power levels: 245 hp (370 Nm) , 300 hp (400 Nm) and 310 hp (400 Nm).
The first two stages, 245 hp and 300 hp, are available in both bodies, and have two drive wheels. To ensure that power efficiently reaches the ground, they are equipped with an electronic limited-slip differential, called a VAQ.
The last level, the 310 hp, will be available exclusively for Sportstourer (van) and only with 4Drive, in other words, four-wheel drive. The Spanish brand promises less than 5.0s in the 0 to 100 km/h for this version and a (electronically limited) 250 km/h of top speed.
Manual cashier, where are you?
Sign of the times? Apparently, the new CUPRA Leon will not have any options available with manual transmission. The only transmission advertised for all versions is the ubiquitous DSG (dual clutch gearbox).
This shifts gears through shift-by-wire technology, that is, the (small) selector no longer has mechanical connections to the gearbox, but is now made through electronic signals — for those looking for more interaction , there will be paddles behind the steering wheel.
Ground connections
The CUPRA Leon is suspended at the front via a MacPherson scheme and at the rear via a multi-arm scheme. The brand announces that the adaptive suspension — Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) — will be present on the Leon, but it remains to be confirmed if it will be standard in all versions. Progressive steering is another weapon in the dynamic arsenal.The brakes will be provided by Brembo and there will be four driving modes to choose from: Comfort, Sport, CUPRA and Individual.
Hot Hatch High Tech
As we could see in the namesake SEAT Leon, the technological arsenal introduced in this new generation is “heavy”, whether in terms of connectivity or active security.
Among the highlights, we have the Digital Cockpit (digital instrument panel); an infotainment system consisting of a 10″ Retina display, as standard, combined with the Full Link system — compatible with Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto —; voice recognition system; Connect app; mobile phone induction charging.
When it comes to active safety, nowadays almost synonymous with driving assistants, we find, among others, Predictive Cruise Control, Travel Assist (semi-autonomous driving level 2), Side and Exit Assistant, Traffic Jam Assist (assist in traffic jams )…
CUPRA Leon PHEV 2020
When arrives?
The Spanish brand pointed to the start of sales of the new CUPRA Leon for the last quarter of the year. Pricing will also be announced closer to release.
Before that, it will be publicly presented at the next Geneva Motor Show, less than two weeks from now.
