Description

The second generation of the Seat León (Typ 1P) was a C-Segment car launched in 2005 with a 5-door hatchback bodystyle. The car was designed under Walter de’Silva’s supervision and was based on the VW Group A5 (PQ35) platform that also underpinned the VW Golf V.

At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Seat launched the León Cupra R which was an even more focused version of the Cupra derivative. The car was fitted with an updated version of the turbocharged 2.0 liter TFSI engine, producing 265 hp (195 kw) of power and 350 Nm of torque, mated with an updated six-speed manual gearbox with shorter gearing. The power upgrades came from a different engine management set-up, a greater turbo pressure, a high performance intercooler, a new high-pressure fuel-injection pump, an updated exhaust system and a modified catalyst in order to comply with EU-5 emissions standards. Furthermore, the car was equipped with an electronic self-blocking XDS system, reworked cooling system, ABS, ESP stability control, TCS traction control and EBA emergency braking. Thanks to those upgrades, the León Cupra R could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6,2 seconds, could cover the 1000 metre in 25,7 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Visually, the León Cupra R was based on the facelifted Cupra featuring the same sporty bodykit, with a new honeycomb mesh central grille, gloss black door mirrors, angular air vents, new 19 inch Cosmos Silver “Potenza” wheel rims fitted with low profile 235/35 tyres, polished steel oval exhaust pipe and R badging. Inside the car featured competition-styled bucket seats with a combination of grey cloth and alcantara upholstery, three spoke multi-functional leather steering wheel with aluminium colour inserts and the Cupra logo, a matching gearknob, aluminium pedals and a sporty instrument panel with white LED lighting.

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