Currently reading: Seat Leon Cupra R test mule spied

Engineering prototypes testing the 300bhp and four-wheel-drive running gear of the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra R have been spied on test

Seat Leon Cupra R test mules have been undergoing trials on the public roads. The cars, such as the one pictured here, are believed to be engineering prototypes disguised as a standard Leon Cupra.

The Cupra R flagship is slated for a launch in late 2014, and is expected to be the first Leon to offer a four-wheel-drive configuration.

Power will come from a version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but output will be boosted to around 300bhp. The engine will be mated to a DSG dual clutch gearbox. It is expected the 2014 Leon Cupra R will offer up a 0-62mph time of around 5.0sec with a top speed of 155mph.

The Cupra R is likely to feature launch control and a new ‘Cupra’ driving mode, which will sharpen throttle response and steering.

Although only the expected quad exhaust arrangement and yellow brake callipers can be seen here, production versions are likely to feature a bodykit – including a rear diffuser. As well as the five-door Cupra R pictured here, Seat will offer a three door Leon SC Cupra R.

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Baggsson 27 December 2013

"Around 296BHP" it should

"Around 296BHP" it should read. Clearly its just a rebadged Audi S3, which also has "around 300BHP", 296.

Autocar need to fact check, as the person above says they was a 4wd leon years ago, just not in the UK. The Cupra 4 with a 2.8 V6.

3mocion 28 November 2013

It could be the fastest fwd car to lap the Nurburgring.

I really hope that the Leon Cupra beats the fwd Nurburgring time set by the Megane and the future Civic R. If so, it will be a slap in the face to people/journalists who don't think Seat can't build a real hot hatch. I do hope at least for more changes in aesthetics to set the FR, Cupra and Cupra R apart from each other.
warren_S3 27 November 2013

Interesting that SEAT are coming back with this...

I owned 2 of the Mk1 Cupra R's over the years and whilst the chassis was donated by the less than spectacular Mk4 Golf, given the way the car was specced up (with Brembo brakes, full fat S3 engine etc.) it was arguably one of the best cars to ride the Golf 4 platform. I didn't go for the Mk2 Cupra R as price wise it was knocking on the door of S3 money without 4 wheel drive or the interior build quality. It was a nice enough car, but seemed optimistically priced. Hopefully this car will show a return to form, but with the new Mk3 S3 at £30k base price, I'm intrigued to see what pricing bracket this falls into. The Mk2 LCR was about £26k+ from memory (with FWD), so with the addition of 4WD how they price this thing could be the fly in the ointment for some buyers.