Cupra is giving its striking Leon hatchback and Sportstourer estate a refresh as the company continues to grow its market share and expand its portfolio of models. The fresh look aligns the Leon with newer cars from the Spanish brand - including the forthcoming Tavascan electric SUV - and creates a further distinction between it and the SEAT Leon that remains on sale.
Identifiable by the new triangular matrix LED headlights and shark-nose front end, the Cupra Leon’s good looks are sharpened even further. As with the company’s fully-electric Born hatchback, the Cupra logo now moves upwards to sit on the bonnet instead of the grille, and the lower bumper section now features a broader-looking air intake, underlining the car’s performance credentials. Those matrix LED headlights comprise three illuminated triangles within a triangular unit.
Cupra is adding two new colours to the palette called Century Bronze Matt and Enceladus Grey Matt. Those two new hues join Midnight Black, Fiord Blue, Magnetic Tech, Graphene Grey, Glacial White, Magnetic Tech Matt and Tiaga Grey as paint options. Both hatchback and estate body styles will come on either 18- or 19-inch wheels, depending on specification, and a total of nine different wheel styles are available. Design enhancements to the car’s rear include new light units that repeat the triangular styling of the front headlights. The Cupra logo on the rear is now illuminated as well.
New materials inside enhance sustainability
Cupra began using more sustainable materials inside its cars in the electric Born and continues this process with the updated Leon. Its bucket seats are available with the choice of ‘environmentally conscious’ leather or a microfibre with 73 per cent recycled content and laser perforation to enhance their detail.
In the range-topping Leon VZ, ‘CUPBucket’ seats use ultra-technical central textile with recycled microfibre. These seats also provide a lower seating position in the car, contributing to a sportier feel when driving. In the cars equipped with these seats, Cupra adds a dark chrome detail to the air vents (which are usually copper-coloured), centre console and steering wheel satellite buttons.
More technology inside
An enhanced digital experience will greet those getting into these updated Leon twins. Behind the multifunction sports steering wheel is a redesigned digital instrument display that can be configured in numerous ways to suit the driver’s preferences. A larger 12.9-inch touchscreen display, now with illuminated touch-sensitive sliders on the base for temperature and volume control, adds to the Leon’s more modern look inside.
The native infotainment system gets a new appearance that offers more personalisation and reduces the number of inputs needed to access commonly used menus. The dashboard features a 3D parametric pattern that is both tactile and interesting to look at, while the centre console is redesigned to have a more precise finish.
A choice of engines
When it comes to power, there are multiple choices available in the Leon range, with the five-door hatchback and Sportstourer estate getting different options. The five-door Leon range starts with a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine making 150hp, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Performance then steps up to the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a maximum output of 300hp. Drive goes to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox and uses a ‘VAQ’ locking differential to help transmit power to the road.
Both powertrain options for the Leon Sportstourer feature all-wheel drive, starting with a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder petrol engine sending 240hp via a DSG dual-clutch transmission. Cupra also reserves the most powerful engine in the Leon range for the Sportstourer. This version, known as the Leon Sportstourer VZ, uses the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit tuned up to 333hp and linked to the seven-speed DSG gearbox, making it the most powerful Cupra to date. Helping to exploit its performance, Cupra fits the estate with a torque splitter and optional Akebono brakes.
The five-door Leon will be available with a mild-hybrid eTSI engine. This 1.5-litre petrol unit uses a 48-volt starter generator and compact lithium-ion battery to enable engine-off coasting and energy recuperation during braking. The system can also provide a small amount of electrical assistance to the engine while refining the start-up and stop-start process.
Diesel will remain a part of the Cupra Leon five-door offering in the form of a 2.0-litre TDI four-cylinder producing up to 150hp.
Both body styles will be available to order as plug-in hybrids, and these have come in for notable improvement. A large-capacity 19.7kWh battery can provide more than 100 kilometres of electric driving range according to official numbers, and recharging the battery is easier thanks to 50kW DC rapid charging capability and 11kW AC charge rates - up from 3.6kW on its predecessor.
Each of the two PHEV versions uses a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine supplemented by an electric motor. Peak power outputs are 204hp and 272hp, and the latter - badged VZ - is available with upgraded Brembo four-piston brake calipers and enlarged perforated discs for better braking performance.
The updated Cupra Leon and Leon Sportstourer will be available from Q4 2024. Irish pricing for these models will be announced closer to that time.