Fantastic news here, if you're a fan of fast SEATs of the past and you've been waiting for the spin-off Cupra brand to give us something other than crossovers and SUVs - such as the Ateca, the Formentor and the Tavascan - then here comes the confirmation that hot versions of the all-new Leon are inbound.
PHEV power
If you're expecting us to say the Cupra Leon family will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show, think again: they're actually due a global reveal of February 20. And use of the word 'family' is apt, because there will be hatchback and Sports Tourer estate versions of the Leon, as well as the racing models in the form of the Cupra Leon Competición and the Cupra e-Racer.
Interestingly, it would appear that the road-going Cupra Leons will be following other vehicles in the wider Volkswagen Group stable, such as the recently announced Skoda Octavia RS iV, in going to a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Cupra says it is a high-performance derivative, so we assume it will make more than the 245hp of the Skoda RS iV, as the last-of-the-line Leon Cupras (important distinction to the order of words, there) were making upwards of 300hp in certain formats.
'King of Leons'
Cupra's CEO, Wayne Griffiths, said: "The Leon Cupra has been a bestseller, with close to 44,000 units sold of the last generation. With the launch of the new Cupra Leon, we will strengthen the Cupra brand, by giving a new identity to a very emblematic car. The new Cupra Leon is the 'King of Leons'."
And if that's a clever play on Kings of Leon then, well, Wayne - we salute you.