New CUPRA Leon charges into the market with electrifying performance

• High-performance CUPRA Leon will be available for the very first time with a plug-in hybrid powertrain

• Up to 60km (37mile) EV range on eHybrid model

• A range of powerful engines, from 245PS to 310PS, all exclusively available with DSG shift-by-wire technology

• CUPRA Leon will accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h (62mph) in under five seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph)

• The first Leon to carry the CUPRA badge

• CUPRA marque available in both hatchback and estate models

• Two exclusive matte paints available for CUPRA Leon

• The new CUPRA Leon is the ultimate expression of the CUPRA brand’s values: dynamic design, intuitive connectivity and sophisticated performance

From the design that sets it apart from the competition to its range of high-performance powertrains, the new CUPRA Leon has been developed to become a new reference point in the segment.

The latest addition to the CUPRA range, joining the CUPRA Ateca, follows on from previous generations of Leon and will help grow the brand even further, taking it to new levels of success.

“The Leon CUPRA has been a bestseller, with close to 44,000 units sold in the last generation”, said Wayne Griffiths, CUPRA CEO. “With the launch of the new CUPRA Leon, we will strengthen the CUPRA brand, by giving a new identity to a very emblematic car. The new CUPRA Leon is the KING OF LEONS.”

CUPRA always aims to deliver the ultimate dynamic performance and maintain the brand’s spirit; the new CUPRA Leon brings new levels of desirability and technology to help it meet the needs of an increasingly demanding market.

The new CUPRA Leon is designed, developed and will be produced in Barcelona at the brand’s Martorell facilities.

With two body styles available – five-door and estate – the CUPRA Leon allows customers to choose the vehicle that best fits their lifestyle, without compromising performance, comfort or practicality.

And with high levels of standard equipment including full LED front and rear lamps, rear coast-to-coast lighting, bucket seats, sports suspension, keyless entry and ambient lighting to name just a few, it’s a vehicle that offers great value in the highly competitive segment.

This latest iteration of the highperformance icon will further strengthen the CUPRA brand, offering an outstanding driving experience thanks to its highly advanced range of powertrains, its dynamic chassis technologies, and its elegant mix of sportiness and sophistication in its exterior and interior design. In addition to this impressive offering, the new vehicle also boasts a highly connected, digitalised user experience and the integration of some of the most advanced driver assistance systems available – the new CUPRA Leon has become one of the most appealing propositions the brand has ever offered.

The 2.0 litre TSI petrol engines is available in 245PS, 300PS and 310PS (exclusively available for the estate) power outputs to deliver real on-the-road performance. With an electrified 245PS plug-in hybrid variant also available, performance doesn’t come at an environmental cost in the all-new CUPRA Leon.

The new CUPRA Leon is one of the safest vehicles the brand has ever developed, integrating some of the most advanced driver assistance systems to keep occupants safe whether on the motorway, in the city or simply pulling away from a parking space.

And in a world where our lives are becoming increasingly digitalised, the CUPRA Leon not only offers on-road performance but also provides a level of connectivity not seen in CUPRA vehicles until now. So, whether it’s bringing your smart device into the vehicle cabin, or accessing vehicle-specific online services, the CUPRA Leon is the intersection between the road and connectivity.

The new CUPRA Leon is the ultimate expression of the CUPRA brand’s values and is destined to strengthen its position in the market, exciting current CUPRA enthusiasts, while at the same time opening it up to new customers.

Powertrain: Performance and future-proofed

The new CUPRA Leon offers a range of performance-orientated petrol engines, with electrified options in the form of a plug-in hybrid system, so customers can choose the vehicle that best suits their needs.

High-performance Plug-in hybrid (eHybrid)

Available in both the hatchback and estate variants, the CUPRA Leon eHybrid gives customers the performance expected from a vehicle carrying the CUPRA badge, as well as the economy required for towns and cities.

At the heart of the high-performance plug-in hybrid is a 150PS (110kW), 250Nm 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine; a 115PS (85kW) electric motor; and 13kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Together these provide 245PS (180kW) of peak power and 400Nm of torque.

CUPRA Leon eHybrid has an electric-only range (WLTP) of up to 60km (37 miles) to silently travel through streets or through city centres. When the battery needs recharging, it can be done in as little as 3.5 hours using a 3.6kW AC Wall box (or six hours from 230V domestic socket).

Thanks to the efficiency of the plug-in hybrid powertrain technology, CO2 emissions will be below 50g/km (WLTP).

TSI Petrol

The new CUPRA Leon is also available in a selection of turbocharged, direct-injection petrol units.

Customers can choose either the 245PS (180kW) and 370Nm or the 300PS (221kW) and 400Nm variant. Both versions are front-wheel drive, available in both five-door and estate body styles, and integrate an electronic limited slip differential to ensure smooth effortless distribution of power.

The system takes readings from numerous sources: steer

ing angle, wheel speed and yaw, to provide reassurance in dynamic driving scenarios.

The most powerful engine in the line-up is the 310PS (228kW)/400Nm 2-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine, found exclusively in estate.

With 4Drive technology, CUPRA Leon constantly monitors the vehicle and driver inputs to deliver power to the wheel with the most grip, at the precise time it needs it.

The new CUPRA Leon can accelerate from 0-to-100km/h (062mph) in fewer than five seconds (4.8 seconds) and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph).

All engine variants are mated to a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) dual-clutch transmission that ensure a sharp, crisp and smooth gear change.

The shift-by-wire technology is designed so that the gear selector is not connected to the gearbox mechanically, instead using electronic signals to make shifts. When drivers want an even more interactive experience, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles bring the connection between vehicle and driver together.

Chassis: unparalleled ride and handling

As with any CUPRA, the relationship between the engine and chassis is what gives the vehicle its distinctive dynamic performance. The all-new CUPRA Leon continues the brand’s ethos of tuning the chassis and steering to offer the most precise, involving and distinctive ride possible.

The CUPRA Leon’s electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) system is the most progressive yet, accurately translating driver inputs to the road and connecting the driver to the conditions with immediate feedback through the steering wheel.

The Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) system constantly monitors the road surfaces and driver inputs and makes imperceptible changes to the set-up in milliseconds to ensure surefootedness in any conditions and for the most engaging drive.

The CUPRA Leon’s dynamics can be changed to suit the tastes of whoever is in control through the four different driver profiles: Comfort, Sport, CUPRA and Individual.

These profiles change the vehicle’s character, from daily drive to performance-focused hot hatch, giving the CUPRA Leon a breadth of ability seen in few other vehicles in the segment. Shifting between profiles is now even simpler with the DCC slider control on the infotainment screen, meaning you can select precisely the set-up you want.

World-class chassis technologies are at the core of the CUPRA Leon experience. At the front is a MacPherson strut suspension. At the rear is a multi-link system that separates longitudinal and lateral forces, delivering exceptional handling as well as a refined ride.

Stopping power is just as important for a hot hatch: the allnew CUPRA Leon has large 370mm Brembo brakes to maximise braking potential when approaching corners.

Improvements to the all-new CUPRA Leon’s dimensions have added to its dynamic abilities and visual appeal. The front (1,545mm) and rear (1,516mm) track of the vehicle are now more closely matched to the vehicle’s width (1,800mm), immediately making it feel more grounded in the corners and visually more aggressive.

A 50mm longer wheelbase (now 2,686mm) gives greater stability, as well as more rear legroom. The roofline has been reduced by 3mm (now 1,456mm), which combines emphasis the assertive CUPRA visual from the side profile.

The estate variant of CUPRA Leon is 4,642mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,448mm high, while the wheelbase is 2,686mm, which is 50mm more than the previous generation.

Compared with the SEAT Leon, the CUPRA Leon sits 25mm lower on the front axle and 20mm lower at the rear, meaning a lower centre of gravity.

In the most powerful estate variant the performance is controlled by the 4Drive all-wheel drive system. The latest generation of the electro-hydraulic multi-disc traction system delivers power to all four wheels (whichever has the most traction) in a controlled manner to maximise traction and performance.

The system is integrated into the rear axle and sits at the end of the drive shaft in front of the rear differential, improving weight distribution, meaning the new CUPRA Leon is dynamic, assured and composed.

Safety: Maximising protection

While CUPRA is synonymous with performance, it also incorporates a suite of safety and convenience technologies that will make it even easier and safer to live with in daily life.

Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses feeds from GPS data delivered from the navigation system and input from the front-mounted camera and Traffic Sign Recognition, allowing it to proactively adjust the cruise speed depending on the road layout ahead – bends, roundabouts, junctions, changes in speed limits and built-up areas. This reduces the requirement for driver input and mitigates against sudden speed changes and manoeuvres.

When the road becomes more congested Traffic Jam Assist takes the stress out of driving, maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in front, staying in lane (based on road markings) and, with Lane Assist Plus, keeps the CUPRA Leon centred in its lane.

To maintain safety and meet legal requirements, the driver must continually monitor the system and their surroundings, keeping at least one hand on the steering wheel. If the vehicle senses that the driver has taken both hands off the wheel for more than 15 seconds, they will receive audible and visual warnings. A braking jolt can be given. If the driver continues to fail to respond, the Emergency Assist 3.0 system can bring the Leon to a complete stop.

Blind Spot Detection alerts the driver to another vehicle in their blind spot when on the motorway (the wraparound LED light flashes yellow).