Welcome Back: 2007 Seat Leon Cupra & 2010 Seat Leon Cupra R

We never seen a Spanish hot hatch driving
around the Top Gear Test Track

The Incredible Stig in his
Incredible Cupra R!

Some say that the Seat Leon is more like the Volkswagen Golf's Spanish cousin but this is a bit more than that. What you see here are a bunch of Seat Leon Cupra models to choose from. If you were to ask "What is the difference between Seat Leon Cupra and Seat Leon Cupra R?", there is a simple answer to that...

About the Leon Cupra:

The SEAT Leon Cupra comes with the 2.0L TFSi engine that produces 241PS of power and a 0-60mph time of 6.4 seconds. It has 18-inch rims, red brake calipers, and a special exhaust, as well as special paint finishes and sport seats embroidered with the Cupra logo.

This car was made using the know-how from their World Touring Car Championship season and little known fact that the Spanish is, in fact, one of the favourites for the WTCC constructors and drivers championship. For SEAT, whose goal is to create sporty cars with cutting-edge design and the latest technology, the arrival of the new Seat Leon Cupra is not just a source of satisfaction and pride; it is also essential.

About the Leon Cupra R:

Debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the R model is a much tamer version of the SEAT Leon Cupra. The 2.0L TFSi engine, which did come from the regular Leon Cupra, now comes with 265HP of power thanks to Seat Technical Centre that made significant effort into modifying the engine's electronic management system and increasing the maximum turbo pressure.

The Cupra R comes with XDS system that works together with ESP and functions as a self-blocking mechanism. It improves the car's performance when traction is lost by applying braking power to the wheel that loses grip.

So, now you know their differences but what if it's not enough? Let's settle their differences with a bit of a power lap time...

By science and due consideration, my SEAT Leon Cupra did it in 1:33.471 and my Leon Cupra R did it in 1:32.457. I believe that the Cupra R is more of a hardcore for SEAT but it's not more hardcore than its big cousin, the Volkswagen Golf R because unlike the SEAT Leon Cupra R, which is front-wheel drive, the Golf R has 4WD for added traction.