New Cupra Leon ST gets 333hp, torque splitter diff

Sound familiar? But if you've been waiting for a new fast estate, look no further

All too often a cosmetic refresh is criticised for being too modest and not changing enough; well, there’s no danger of that accusation being levelled at the new Cupra Leon and Formentor. Following a very successful year and a bit for Cupra (120,000 deliveries in 2023, and 56,600 already in Q1), both have undergone a facelift that ‘embraces the brand’s new design language’. You can say that again. 

Now hot hatch, fast estate and performance SUV get a ‘shark-nosed face’, a ‘big, bold lower mouth’ and an ‘aggressive look’. Seemingly nothing is safe from the curse of the big grille. New triangular matrix LEDs feature front and rear, the latter pointing to the illuminated Cupra logo. There’s a new bronze and grey on the colour palette in case there weren’t enough flat shades available before. The interior benefits from more recycled materials, digitalisation is a focus, the stereo is improved…

Hold on, though, because there is some proper PH interest in the new Leon and Cupra. Available for the Formentor and the ST wagon (evoking memories of the smart old Cupra R estate), the best bits of the new VW Golf R and Audi S3 will be available. So that’s 333hp from the 2.0-litre TSI, the torque splitter rear differential, and Akebono brakes. Which is quite interesting. This being new Cupra, they’re more interested in talking about sustainable jewellery and the Cupra Catwalk, but an uptick in power and some proper chassis hardware feel very worthwhile for a fast estate that could pass quite a few by. 

There are improvements for the other powertrains, too. As with their stablemates in the group, the plug-in Cupra benefit from extra range (more than 62 miles) and faster charging (50kW DC) alongside a 272hp output from the petrol-electric 1.5-litre turbo. But if you’d prefer to keep things old-school (insofar as that is possible with Cupra) the range-topping five-door hatchback retains the tried-and-tested combination of 300hp and front-wheel drive, albeit through a new front diff. The interior gets a spruce, too, mainly to incorporate the larger 12.9-inch infotainment screen (and backlit slider controls), but also to deliver upgraded seats and new trim materials. No prices or exact UK specs yet, but deliveries are due to kick off in the summer.

• 2021 Cupra Leon | PH Review
• 2021 Cupra Formentor | UK Review