SEAT HAS LAUNCHED it’s most powerful new Leon in the form of the £15,995 2.0TFSI Sport.
More of a replacement for the old 178bhp Cupra model than a Focus ST chaser, the newcomer borrows a detuned version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol powerplant from the latest Golf GTI.
In the Leon, the engine kicks out 182bhp and 199lb ft of torque, down 15bhp and 7lt ft on the Golf. This equates to 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds and a 137mph maximum, 0.5sec and 5mph behind Seat’s claims for the old Cupra. The new car should be flexible though, with its peak torque produced from 1800-5000rpm.
The Leon’s already tidy handling should benefit from sports suspension and 17in alloys. Other equipment highlights include sports seats, a six-speed gearbox, climate control, an 8-speaker CD player and cruise control.
The hottest Leon, the new Cupra, will arrive to take the place of the old 225bhp Cupra R next summer. The Cupra is expected to use a high-output version of the TFSI engine, putting around 240bhp through the front wheels to take the fight to the Focus ST and Astra VXR.
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