The Cupra Leon will go fully electric for its next generation as the Spanish brand looks to futureproof the nameplate.
Arriving at the start of the next decade, the new Leon will be the fourth EV from the Volkswagen Group brand. It will join the forthcoming sub-€25,000 (sub-£20,800) Raval, the VW ID 5-twinned Tavascan and the Born, which is likely to enter a new generation just before the electric Leon arrives.
Before then, the current Leon, available with pure-ICE and plug-in hybrid powertrains, will be updated in line with upcoming Euro 7 emission regulations. This will allow the car to continue “well into the next decade” alongside the related Cupra Formentor, boss Wayne Griffiths told Autocar.
“The Cupra Leon and Cupra Formentor are both based on the same platform,” said Griffiths. “We will extend those well into the next decade. If we want to go into the next decade, then we’re always going to have to take care of those cars and revitalise them. We could expect facelifts or product improvements on both, to keep them going as long as we need to.”
He added: “After that, the next generation of Leon will definitely be electric.”
That EV will sit on VW’s new SSP platform, which will underpin everything from superminis to sports cars from the end of the decade. This will allow the Leon to keep a similar size to the current car and slot in below the rakish Tavascan in Cupra’s EV line-up.
It is also thought that the Leon could become exclusively a Cupra model, allowing Seat to focus on smaller, more affordable cars in conventional segments. According to Griffiths, such a move would enable Cupra to move further upmarket and focus on plug-in hybrids and ultimately pure EVs.
The launch next year of heavily updated versions of the Ibiza and Arona – two of Seat’s stalwart models as well as its best-sellers – is expected to signal the start of the brand’s repositioning. These updates, complete with hybrid technology, will allow the cars to meet the strict Euro 7 regulations as well as future-proof them for sale into the next decade.
It means mild-hybrid engines will be offered – a significant investment for smaller and less profitable models but a necessary step to continue selling affordable new cars to the mass market, where EV demand has yet to take off.
“We, like Volkswagen [has done with the Polo], want to extend the life cycles of those products, not only with the Euro 7, but also with hybridisation as well, because that’s what’s missing there: hybrid models,” said Griffiths.
Sales of both the Ibiza Seat could shift its focus to small, affordable cars like the Ibiza and Arona and Arona rose in the UK in 2023 and Seat’s overall sales have grown too. The larger Ateca and Leon are the other models in Seat’s line-up – after the demise of the Tarraco – both of which are also offered with a Cupra badge.
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Why 2030?, why so long for a new model?
> such a move would enable Cupra to move further upmarket
There's that expression again - it doesn't mean your affordable family hatchback is going to become better, it just means it'll cost as much as a 3 series used to only a few years ago.
Milliband better hurry up with his brilliant GB Energy plans. Anyone who thinks running a £40k EV is cheaper than a £25k ICE car needs to realise £15k buys a lot of petrol/diesel. Thats before you factor in eh horrendous depreciation of an EV and the cost of 'fuelling'.
What about running a £27k MG4 BEV against a £30k ICE. Much lower running costs, lower initial costs and the BEV has really low depriciation costs.
Have you looked at the used car market recently? EVs have suffered from horrific depreciation, losing as much as 2/3rds of their value in 3 years. Makes for absolutely fantastic bargains on the used market, but you'd have to be a mug to buy them new at the moment.
Yes, have you? just look at the depriciation figurers of Model 3's, EX30 or MG prices. Using your rubbish method you could say look how much ICE cars depriciate by using the example of a Audi S6, DS9 or DS3 crossback Prestige.