Seat Leon Cupra all-wheel-drive 300bhp super-hatch confirmed for 2017

A four-wheel-drive Seat Leon Cupra super hatch will be launched next year with more than 300bhp.

Seat has now revealed details of its more potent 2017 Leon Cupra. Click here to read about it.

Announced at the facelifted Leon’s launch, the model will supersede the front-driven Cupra 290 to become the hottest car in Seat’s range. It will be a rival to the Volkswagen Golf R, with which it will likely share its engine and all-wheel-drive system, and the Ford Focus RS.

The model will make use of a uprated version of the Cupra 290's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and Haldex four-wheel drive technology.

It'll likely come exclusively with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox, and get more aggressive bodywork, possibly inspired by the Leon Cup race car (pictured above).

The introduction of all-wheel drive to the Leon signals the end of the Cupra's association with a front-driven driven chassis - and also confirms the model's graduation into the segment's premier league.

The 300bhp Leon Cupra could share its drivetrain with a Cupra version of the Ateca SUV, which was spotted testing earlier this month and is rumoured to have at least 300bhp at its disposal.

The Leon also looks set introduce a new digital cockpit system to Seat’s range. Presumably the first carryover of Audi's i-Cockpit technology within the Volkswagen Group, the system will enable customisation of displays and dual-screen views and should be available with all models from the Leon up.

2017 will be a busy year for Seat as it will also launch its new Seat Ibiza. A development car for that model has been seen wearing camouflage to make it look like a Hyundai i20.

Nic Cackett and Sam Sheehan