Monday 5th December 2016

Refreshed SEAT Leon Cupra 300 announced

More power for the hatch, all-wheel drive and DSG for the updated wagon

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Since its launch in early 2014, the SEAT Leon Cupra is a car that's continued to impress PH in its various forms. Oh sure, it may not be quite as engaging as a Renaultsport Megane or have interior plastics quite as plush as a Golf, but its combination of speed, dynamics and value have won it a lot of fans. The estate is also very good, and both Performance Pack variants make it a much more intense package.

Insert 'all the car you'll ever need' comment here

Now it's time for a mid-life update. While the focus from SEAT is on the additional equipment - keyless go, new driver assist features and a bigger infotainment screen - we're more interested in the mechanical changes. Essentially it would appear the EA888 2.0-litre turbo is now to Golf R spec, with 300hp and 280lb ft, but of course in a lighter (by about 80kg) and front-wheel drive package. Expect the revised Golf R to boost those numbers (and the cabin ambience) to restore family superiority sometime next year.

Interestingly the Leon Cupra ST will now be all-wheel drive and DSG-only, making it very much a Golf R lite. The Leon Cupra ST DSG 4Drive - yes, that is the full name - is not the first all-wheel drive fast SEAT of course, the original V6 Leon Cupra using a 4Motion system. Looks like the front-wheel drive Cupra estates, particularly the Performance Pack cars, will be even rarer now...

Cosmetic changes are mild and in line with the standard Leon facelift, most notably the new lights, reprofiled bumpers and - at last - some nicer wheels too.

The new Leon Cupra is available to order now (prices are still to be confirmed), with first deliveries due in March. However, if you can go without the latest infotainment and another few horsepower, there are bargains to be had on the outgoing car. Prices start at less than £17,000 now - this car is the super subtle 265 as well - with £20K buying a late 2015 manual hatch and the 290 version available for not much more. For those after the estate, this blue car looks nice. First drive of the 300hp car coming as soon as we can get one!

[WCZ]

this will be a fantastic car for the money!

[steveb8189]

WCZ said:

this will be a fantastic car for the money!

Whilst I tentatively agree it's a tough call without a list price. I imagine given the SEAT depreciation over VW they may end up costing more than a Golf R would have done over the first couple of years of ownership...

[anonymous-user]

Don't forget the SEAT León Cupra 4 Kompressor.

The problem with VAG is they are basically ending all the same, with small changes. Why not make SEAT brand more diverse than Volkswagen?

[Jonno02]

steveb8189 said:

Whilst I tentatively agree it's a tough call without a list price. I imagine given the SEAT depreciation over VW they may end up costing more than a Golf R would have done over the first couple of years of ownership...

Before the 290 black edition, lease deals, I was about to either buy a Golf R or Cupra 290. 3 year term, £1000 deposit and the 290 was hitting around £270-280 a month, the golf R was sitting around the £450 mark. That was with the best broker prices I could find at the time.

I'm not a fan of the face lift looks and I'm underwhelmed by the new wheels. Not a fan. That said, bang for buck in a cupra is top notch. Don't think we'll ever beat the £250 golf R deals though. No doubt down the line the hatch will get the 4WD too. SEAT claimed they'd never go 4WD due to not liking the way it transforms the car and that VW were tightening the leash. If the ST broke through, don't see why the hatch won't in the near future.

[Onehp]

Happy owner of the estate with performance pack and manual gearbox. No other car combines space with relative lightweight car and diy driving. A few tweaks make it a lot better again, too.

Not mentioned, this facelift lost the handbrake for an electric one, so happy to have the 'old' one.

I did think the ST would continue as fwd also and that the 4drive is optional?

[David87]

Weird that only the estate gets AWD. What's the deal with that?!

[Onehp]

David87 said:

Weird that only the estate gets AWD. What's the deal with that?!

Suspect competition with the Golf R where the Estate doesn't sell very well and the ST will use similar tooling?

[Kolbenkopp]

Yup, think the tooling or cost aspect is the major thing.

Looks like they designed the ST shape with AWD in mind, they launched a soft roader 4x4 version a while ago. I would assume they made it so that the haldex kit that is being used at VW, Audi and Skoda is a plug & play fit. The five door and the coupé have a different wheelbase / hard points. Probably too expensive adapting that.

I'm happy it stays optional though. The VAQ diff handles the torque well enough and personally I'd rather not lug 80+kg of extra weight around, never mind the reduced efficiency and added cost / complexity. Also DSG only.

Rest of the face lift looks decent enough IMO. They have not ruined the pretty styling as often is the case when plastic surgery is involved . Don't care much for the fog lights and the e-ebrake is a step backwards. But hey. No shots of the interior so far, quite liked the current version. Good ergonomics, nice and simple styling. Except for the white stripes on the standard seats. Would not mind monochrome options a part from leather for that.

But all very minor points. Not sure how aggressive SEAT UK is with real world prices, but over here (.de) you could get the pre facelift car for under € 24k (manual SC with 265 PS engine map). Very good value IMO. If this carries on to the new model things look good, especially for those after a Golf R at discounted price.

[Onehp]

Have the same sentiments.

Interior is the same except the bigger screen and hopefully the colour choices indeed, it was fine as said so why change it.

Noticed the Brembo calipers front AND rear. Nice touch. Assuming that will make the Performance Pack obselete. Do like the PP side sills better.

[All that jazz]

Is the red estate in pick a special off-road model?

[nunpuncher]

I've never really understood the excitement over getting the haldex 4wd in this car yet so many people seem to be frothing at the gusset about it. The only reason for its existence is if you don't like the look of the R estate (I think the cupra St is much better looking).

It has also long been suspected and checked by a few that the stated 280 and 290 were little more than badge numbers to redress the family pecking order. I suspect this car puts out the same power.

I think the most interesting development is actually the 7spd dsg.

[M1C]

I know i'm talking about different cars here....but i once (back in 2011) had a new Golf MK6 R for a couple of nights...then soon after, a new 2011 Leon Cupra R.

The Leon was so, so much more fun. The Golf was like....mega competent..but the Leon was just 'alive' in comparison, brilliant car.

[rob.e]

I guess it all comes down to the pricing. If it's up at 33+ then i don't see why you'd get this over a golf R wagon - it needs to be sub 30k to tempt buyers IMO.

[JackReacher]

I think we may replace our 2014 Lean FR next year and this could will definitely consider a Cupra ST. The latest Leon’s are really good cars and hopefully this will be notably cheaper than the Golf equivalent. Shame they are ditching the manual box but will give DSG a try.

It always surprises me how little interest Seat’s seem to generate on Pistonheads compared to Audi/VW. Far enough Seat have been in the wilderness for a bit but current cars have improved massively. The Leon is IMO better looking, better equipped and cheaper than both Golf and A3, with the Cupra getting great write ups. However, no body is interested in them until a cheap lease deal comes along. It’s strange that even on a car enthusiasts forum, where the car has been around for a couple of years, gets great reviews, genuine track performance in a practical package and nobody really cares until you can lease it cheap. Guess that’s the world we are in.

[rob.e]

Onehp said:

Happy owner of the estate with performance pack and manual gearbox. No other car combines space with relative lightweight car and diy driving. A few tweaks make it a lot better again, too.

what tweaks did you do then?

[culpz]

I was gutted to miss out on the cheap Cupra 290 Black Edition deals. I knew i should have bought a cheap runaround and waited for something else that really tickled my fancy

I must say that i really don't like the wheels on them though, not that would have been much of a deal breaker for me. I think these new ones look much better IMO. The standard 290 one's were nice enough for me aswell.

Edited by culpz on Tuesday 6th December 10:08

[rob.e]

Onehp said:

Noticed the Brembo calipers front AND rear. Nice touch. Assuming that will make the Performance Pack obselete.

hard to see in the pics, but it does look like there is a logo on the rear too - hopefully this is not just a photoshop mockup.

if they included stuff like the brembos etc from the performance pack as standard and kept the price under 30k i think this would do well. i love the stuff they offer in the pp but if you add that on top of the current 290 pricing it makes it a very expensive car.

[nunpuncher]

JackReacher said:

I think we may replace our 2014 Lean FR next year and this could will definitely consider a Cupra ST. The latest Leon’s are really good cars and hopefully this will be notably cheaper than the Golf equivalent. Shame they are ditching the manual box but will give DSG a try.

It always surprises me how little interest Seat’s seem to generate on Pistonheads compared to Audi/VW. Far enough Seat have been in the wilderness for a bit but current cars have improved massively. The Leon is IMO better looking, better equipped and cheaper than both Golf and A3, with the Cupra getting great write ups. However, no body is interested in them until a cheap lease deal comes along. It’s strange that even on a car enthusiasts forum, where the car has been around for a couple of years, gets great reviews, genuine track performance in a practical package and nobody really cares until you can lease it cheap. Guess that’s the world we are in.

I think it's partly because it's just so uninspiring to look at. I know a Golf or S3 is hardly a work of art but they have that recognisable shape/identity even when you can't see the badge. With the SEAT it's a bit vauxhall astra, mazda 3, Megane etc generic mash up. I think the mk2 was a more unique and recognisable product.

I can't help thinking that VW have purposely restrained SEAT as they seem to have elevated Skoda above them.

[All that jazz]

nunpuncher said:

I think it's partly because it's just so uninspiring to look at. I know a Golf or S3 is hardly a work of art but they have that recognisable shape/identity even when you can't see the badge. With the SEAT it's a bit vauxhall astra, mazda 3, Megane etc generic mash up.

I like fast estates but this (red) one does nothing for me. Wheels are far too big, bordering on ridiculous and look like they've just been bought from Halfords and then there's the stance and huge arch gap that makes it looks like an Audi All-Roader - just needs the plastic trim round the bottom half of the panels to complete it. I don't think the Golf R Estate is anything to look at either but I kinda like it for the fact the badges could be removed and it easily be a sleeper to all but the untrained eye.

[Jonno02]

nunpuncher said:

I think it's partly because it's just so uninspiring to look at. I know a Golf or S3 is hardly a work of art but they have that recognisable shape/identity even when you can't see the badge. With the SEAT it's a bit vauxhall astra, mazda 3, Megane etc generic mash up. I think the mk2 was a more unique and recognisable product.

I can't help thinking that VW have purposely restrained SEAT as they seem to have elevated Skoda above them.

There's more money in taxi's and SUV crossovers than cars like the cupra, unfortunately.