New Seat Leon Cupra R gets 265HP 2.0 TSI: First Official Photos

This year's Frankfurt Motor Show, being held from 17-27 September, will see Seat unveiling its most potent series production model to date, the new Leon Cupra R. Based on the 2009MY Leon Cupra facelift that was revealed at the Barcelona Show in April, the R replaces the standard model's 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot with a 265-horsepower direct injection 2.0 TSI.

It's not clear if the 2.0 TSI is the same engine found in the Audi S3, but Seat claims that the new four-banger features a new, high-pressure fuel pump injector to "satisfy its greater performance demands, while fully complying with strict EU5 emissions standards."S

The extra grunt allows the front-wheel drive only Leon Cupra R to slash the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint from 6.4 seconds (standard Cupra) to 6.1 seconds and top speed climbs from 247 km/h (154mph) to 250 km/h (155mph). The standing kilometer takes 25.7 seconds while Seat announces a combined fuel economy of 8.1 lt / 100km or 29mpg US / 34.9mpg UK.

Aside from the 'R' logos on the central grille and at the lower right of the hatch, the right instrument dial and the remote control key, the range-topping Leon also gets 19 inch, five double-spoke wheels shod with 235/35 tyres. The larger wheel assembly allowed Seat's engineers to upgrade the braking system with 17 inch 345 x 30 mm discs at the front and 16 inch 286 x 12 mm at the rear.

Inside the Leon Cupra R gets a pair of racing-style bucket seats in grey alcantara upholstery, LED lighting on the instrument dials, a leather multi-functional steering wheel and an aluminum pedal arrangement.

Seat is expected to reveal further details including prices and the official launch of the Leon Cupra R date closer to the Frankfurt Show.

2009 SEAT Leon Cupra Facelift with 240HP to Premiere at Barcelona Show

SEAT has chosen next month's Barcelona International Motor Show (May 9-17) to pull the covers off the facelifted version of the Leon Cupra which is essentially the Spanish firm's VW Golf GTI. Like the rest of the 2009 Leon range that was revealed at the Geneva Show in March, the Cupra has received a series of minor cosmetic upgrades that include a new grille design that sports a smaller badge, larger headlights and new door mirrors. Look closely and you'll also spot a new tailgate design and tail light clusters.

The Cupra in particular also gets a newly styled front bumper with larger air-scoops at each corner and the word 'Cupra' printed on the left side. The sport hatch's looks are rounded off with a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels.

For the interior, aside from the tweaked instrument and center console designs which are common to the rest of the Leon range, the Cupra also features a three-spoke leather steering wheel with aluminum color inserts and a matching gearbox knob along with a set of sport bucket seats for the front passenger and driver. A new option for the 2009MY Leon Cupra is the black leather upholstery with white cross-stitching that you can check out in the photos below.

Underneath the bonnet, the 2009 Leon Cupra gets the same 240HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as found in the previous version. Top speed is clocked at 247 km/h or 154mph, the 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) sprint takes 6.4 seconds while it covers the first 1,000m from standstill in 26.4 seconds. At the same time, average combined fuel consumption is listed at 8.3lt /100 km or 28.3mpg US.

Geneva Preview: 2009 SEAT Leon Facelift with Styling Tweaks and Revised Engines

At next month's Geneva Motor Show SEAT will showcase the facelifted Leon hatchback featuring minor cosmetic revisions and an updated engine range. On the outside the most identifiable traits of the 2009 model concern the newly shaped grille with the smaller SEAT logo, larger headlights and new door mirrors while at the rear, there's a larger window that now covers the whole length of the hatch and restyled tail light clusters which bring to mind the word "Alfa Romeo"... Inside, SEAT's designer have made modifications to the instrument panel, central console and door panel trim and materials.

The Spanish automaker claims that all available engines on the Leon have all been tweaked for better performance and reduced fuel consumption figures and emissions levels. These include the more powerful 2.0 TSI engine that now delivers 211 HP and the arrival of common rail technology to the 170 HP 2.0 TDI engine. Furthermore, all the versions equipped with the DSG automatic sequential gearbox, now also available on the seven-speed 160 hp 1.8 TSI, feature shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Other improvements for the Leon facelift concern the addition of the XDS electronic system that works in conjunction with the ESP as a self-blocking differential, the Hill Hold Control, dual xenon headlights with AFS and daytime driving lights, a new climatiser and new audio equipment, cornering foglights, front and rear parking sensors and an optical parking system displayed on the new navigation system.

Geneva Show: SEAT to Reveal Leon and Altea Facelift, and Exeo Break

Despite the gloomy outlook on the automotive sector, this year's Geneva Salon looks like it is going to be packed with new cars that will be making their world premiere at the Swiss show. The latest piece of information to come by our hands is that VW Group's Spanish brand SEAT will take the veil off the facelifted Leon and Altea range that includes the Altea XL and Altea Freetrack crossover, as well as the station-wagon variant of the Exeo that as you already know, is in essence a re-skinned previous-gen Audi A4. We'll have more details on all the new SEATs closer to the opening of the Geneva Show in March.

Seat's Leon "Twin Drive" Petrol-Electric Hybrid

Seat has revealed a new prototype version of the Leon hatchback conceived to run on electric power or a conventional petrol engine. As its name suggests, the Leon "Twin Drive" Ecomotive sports a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 35 kW electric motor fed by a group of lithium-ion batteries located at the rear of the vehicle, and a conventional petrol engine. The initial aim is for the Leon to run on electricity in urban areas, switching to conventional petrol power for longer trips out of town.

In all-electric mode, the prototype Leon has a range of 50 km (31 miles) and a self-imposed top speed of 100 km/h (62mph).

Aside from the hybrid powertrain, the Leon Twin Drive Ecomotive features extensive modifications of the gearbox, brakes, heating and cooling systems, while major changes to the vehicle's electronics have also been carried out.

While the specific Leon is not intended to enter production, Seat plans to introduce a hybrid-electric model by 2014. The prototype Leon will offer Seat's engineers valuable information on advanced electrical propulsion techniques, battery recharging and vehicle range.

New Seat Leon Cupra Limited Edition with 310HP!

Claiming to have developed the fastest ever production model in the Spanish automaker’s history, SEAT of The Netherlands introduced a special edition version of the Leon Cupra that packs a whopping 310 ponies under its hood. Based on the standard Cupra, the Dutch upgraded the 240HP 2.0-liter TFSI engine (the same unit is used on the Golf GTI) to develop a total output of 310 HP and a maximum torque of 425 Nm or 315-lbs/ft. -Continued

According to SEAT, the revised Leon Cupra 310 Limited Edition can achieve a top speed of 259 km/h or 161 mph making it the fastest ever production vehicle to wear the SEAT badge. The ‘super’ Cupra which will be built in a limited run of just 100 units, all destined for the Dutch market, also sports black 18-inch Orion alloy wheels and a special badge on the dashboard with the production number of the vehicle. Prices in The Netherlands are set at € 32,995.

2008 Seat Leon Cupra 240 Hp “K1” Limited Edition Version

One of Europe’s best looking GTi’s, the Seat Leon Cupra has obtained an even sportier look courtesy of a dramatic limited edition styling kit version that is available for order in the UK. The Seat Leon Cupra K1’s styling additions include extensively re-worked front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a more pronounced tailgate spoiler and unique chrome-tipped, centrally-mounted, oval exhaust. Additionally, UK buyers can also opt for 18” Orion alloy wheels in black or white color. Prices for the special edition Leon Cupra K1 are set at £20,495, or £1,000 over the standard model.

Based on the VW Golf GTI platform and mechanics, the 5door Leon Cupra is powered by a 240 Hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. According to the Spanish firm, the Cupra sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.7 seconds and can go up to a top speed of 247 km/h or 154 mph. –Image gallery after the jump

SEAT Leon Ecomotive: Avg. Cons. Of 3.9lt/100 km or 60.3 MPG!

VW’s Spanish subsidiary SEAT has launched the eco-friendly Leon Ecomotive that gives us a good example of how European carmakers plan to fight the energy and environmental issues of our time. The Leon Ecomotive is equipped with VW Group’s ultra frugal 105 HP 1.9 TDi turbo-diesel unit that has received additional improvements to its electronic management. Also, the compact hatch's gear ratios are 8.2% longer overall due to the lengthening of the third, fourth and fifth gears. various modifications. -Continued

Furthermore, the improvements also incorporate the weight of the vehicle, which has been reduced thanks to the detailed study of the equipment package and the elimination of certain options, and thanks to lower resistance tyres, making it possible to mount 195/ 65 tyres on 15 inch wheels or 205/ 55 tyres on 16 inch wheels. The result is an avg. consumption figure of just 3.9 l/100 km or 60.3 MPG and a C02 emiisons of just 119 g/km.