Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Seat to launch 265hp Leon Cupra R in Frankfurt?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/seat-to-launch-265hp-leon-cupra-r-in-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/seat-to-launch-265hp-leon-cupra-r-in-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/seat-to-launch-265hp-leon-cupra-r-in-frankfurt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2009 Seat Leon Cupra - Click above for high-res image gallery

Buyers overseas aren't left wanting for sport models from Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary, including the sporty FR line and the powerful Cupra range. But if the latest reports from our Iberian counterparts prove accurate, Seat could be preparing to launch an even more powerful version of its Golf-based Leon at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

Packing the same 265hp engine from the Volkswagen Scirocco R, the rumored Seat Leon Cupra R would also feature a dual-clutch gearbox, AP Racing brakes, a specially-tuned suspension and competition-style bucket seats inside, and the possible inclusion of Seat's trick new XDS electronic differential. With the current range-topping, 240hp Leon Cupra sprinting to sixty in just 6.4 seconds and undercutting the Golf GTI by a good few hundred on the sticker, the 265hp Cupra R could prove to be a real barn-stormer.


Gallery: 2009 Seat Leon Cupra


[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Seat to launch 265hp Leon Cupra R in Frankfurt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cupracupra rCupraRleonleon cupraleon cupra rLeonCupraLeonCupraRseatseat leonseat leon cupraseat leon cupra rSeatLeonSeatLeonCupraSeatLeonCupraRWed, 10 Jun 2009 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19062176/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/06/10/seat-to-launch-265hp-leon-cupra-r-in-frankfurt/19062176/article-detail.xml 19062176 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/newcupra0_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/newcupra0_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Barcelona Preview: Seat reveals new Leon Cupra and Ibiza FR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/21/barcelona-preview-seat-reveals-new-ibiza-fr-and-leon-cupra/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/21/barcelona-preview-seat-reveals-new-ibiza-fr-and-leon-cupra/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/21/barcelona-preview-seat-reveals-new-ibiza-fr-and-leon-cupra/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2009 Seat Ibiza FR and Cupra Leon - Click either image above for a hi-res gallery

Variety, so they say, is the spice of life. So while American fans of Volkswagen's hot hatches have nothing to complain about, none could be blamed for pining for the alternative options that the German auto group offers overseas. The company's Spanish subsidiary Seat doesn't sell stateside altogether, which is a bit of a shame, because Seats offer compelling packages with a bit more flavor than their VW counterparts, often with more power and at a lower cost, too. (Think Pontiac vs. Chevrolet with a bit more Mediterranean flavor and you're halfway there.) Case in point the revised Leon Cupra and new Ibiza FR which the company will be unveiling next month at its home-market Barcelona Motor Show (which, incidentally, was evidently not canceled).

Although the Leon Cupra is ostensibly the same model as the one it replaces, Seat has added a few extra touches. Fortunately, the engines - 2.0-liter turbo fours in either 208 horsepower TSI trim (VeeDub-speak for gasoline turbo) or 168 hp TDI (turbo diesel) guise - carry over, but both are now mated to Seat's new XDS electronic differential, and complimented by a series of adjustments to the exterior and interior styling. Outside, the front fascia is more aggressive, the rear bumper gets a faux-diffuser black insert, the side mirror housings are blacked out and the ride height has been dropped slightly. Inside everything's all black and brushed aluminum. We had a chance to drive the Leon Cupra last year and found it to be a slick ride, if suffering slightly from torque steer that the e-diff should help clear up.

Joining the revised Leon Cupra is the FR version of its little brother, the Ibiza. Slotting in below the new top-of-the-line Ibiza Cupra, the FR offers a compelling package with the VW Group's new 1.4-liter twincharger, packing both supercharger and turbocharger to deliver 148 hp, mated to a standard-equipment seven-speed DSG with paddle shifters. A host of electronic aids keeps everything in check, while the FR (Seat's second-tier sport trim) benefits from a variety of sporty touches which you can read about more in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: 2009 Seat Leon Cupra


Gallery: 2009 Seat Ibiza FR


[Source: Seat]

Continue reading Barcelona Preview: Seat reveals new Leon Cupra and Ibiza FR

Barcelona Preview: Seat reveals new Leon Cupra and Ibiza FR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 seat ibiza fr2009 seat leon cupra2009SeatIbizaFr2009SeatLeonCuprabarcelonacupraibizaleon cupraLeonCupraseatseat cupraseat ibizaseat ibiza frseat leonSeatCupraSeatIbizaSeatIbizaFrSeatLeontditsitwinchargerTue, 21 Apr 2009 08:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1520391/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/21/barcelona-preview-seat-reveals-new-ibiza-fr-and-leon-cupra/1520391/article-detail.xml 1520391 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/newcupra0_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/newcupra0_opt.jpg <![CDATA[ Ką for UK: SEAT Leon Cupra Ką]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/27/k-for-uk-seat-leon-cupra-k/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/27/k-for-uk-seat-leon-cupra-k/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/27/k-for-uk-seat-leon-cupra-k/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SEAT Leon Cupra Ką
Click image for a hi-res gallery of the SEAT Leon Cupra K&sup1;

Every so often, we wish that Volkswagen's SEAT brand was available here in the US. Sure, the Spanish automaker's vehicles are badge-engineering exercises that raid the corporate partsbin for powertrains, switchgear, and the like, but their styling is unique and some of the packages have definite appeal.

SEAT Leon Cupra KąTake, for instance, the just-announced UK-market Leon Cupra K&sup1;. With the stylish Leon Cupra as its base, the K&sup1; adds an appearance package that is, to put it plainly, pretty bitchin'. Intended to make the car look more like the Cupra BTCC racers, the kit includes new front and rear treatments, side skirts, and a sweet-looking center-exit exhaust. We think the K&sup1; kit is actually better-looking than the BTCC bodywork. Like its standard-bodied counterpart, the K&sup1; gets power from a 240 PS (236 HP) version of VW's 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder. That's good enough to give the Cupra a top speed of 153 mph. Hot hatch, indeed.

Press release with UK pricing after the jump.

Gallery: Seat Leon Cupra K1


[Source: SEAT]

Continue reading Ką for UK: SEAT Leon Cupra Ką

Ką for UK: SEAT Leon Cupra Ką originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BTCCCupracupra K1CupraK1K1leon cupraLeonCupraSEATSEAT LeonSeatLeonWed, 27 Feb 2008 13:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1125849/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/02/27/k-for-uk-seat-leon-cupra-k/1125849/article-detail.xml 1125849 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/seat_cuprak1_009_lo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/seat_cuprak1_009_lo.jpg <![CDATA[Seat Leon Cupra offers more for less than the GTI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/seat-leon-cupra-offers-more-for-less-than-the-gti/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/seat-leon-cupra-offers-more-for-less-than-the-gti/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/seat-leon-cupra-offers-more-for-less-than-the-gti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Brands within the VW Group umbrella seem to need better coordination because they just keep stepping on each other's toes. This time it's not Volkswagen and Audi marketing competing models, but Volkswagen and Seat, the company's Spanish marque.

Seat's models are by-and-large based on Volkswagens, but, like the models from Czech subsidiary Skoda, are generally priced below the equivalent VWs. The Seat Leon is based on the VW Golf, and each has their sportier version: Golf has the GTI and Leon has its Cupra. The trouble for Volkswagen is the Cupra is more powerful than the GTI, and hits the British market (for reference) at £400 less than its German sibling.

Volkswagen may not subscribe to the "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" theory, but meanwhile Seat has been cleaning house in the touring cars (especially in England). Based on their racing expertise, Seat has managed to squeeze an extra 30 horses out of the 2-liter turbo four that powers its Leon Cupra and the GTI. Unlike the three-door GTI, the 237-hp Seat is a five-door hatch and reaches 100km/h (62mph) in 6.4 seconds. Also part of the Cupra package are 18" rims with red calipers peering through, a sport-oriented cockpit and the option of that wonderful DSG dual-clutch transmission.

With the added aggressive styling (which is, admittedly, a matter of taste) and the Seat Leon Cupra makes for a tempting alternative for GTI buyers across the pond.

Related Items:

[Source: Motor Authority]

Seat Leon Cupra offers more for less than the GTI originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 22:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cupragolfgtileonseatvolkswagenvwMon, 13 Nov 2006 22:18:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/700492/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/11/13/seat-leon-cupra-offers-more-for-less-than-the-gti/700492/article-detail.xml 700492 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/13805_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/13805.jpg <![CDATA[SEAT debuts Leon FR, announces pricing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/26/seat-debuts-leon-fr-announces-pricing/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/26/seat-debuts-leon-fr-announces-pricing/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/26/seat-debuts-leon-fr-announces-pricing/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Autoblog Spanish has full coverage of the debut of SEAT's new competitor in the hot hatch wars, the Leon FR, courtesy of our man in Madrid, Alberto Ballestin. We're posting a few of his live shots here, the full set of pics is online here.

According to What Car? Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary is pricing its 197 hp FR at $31,910 USD, about $5,630 less than VW's GTI, which uses the same TFSI 2-liter engine.

SEAT announced that an even hotter 240 hp version of the Leon, the Cupra, will debut in July at the British Motor Show.

More photos after the jump!

[Sources: Autoblog Spanish, What Car?]

Continue reading SEAT debuts Leon FR, announces pricing

SEAT debuts Leon FR, announces pricing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 May 2006 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cupragtileon frmadrid auto showmadrid motor showMadridMotorShowseatSeat Leonseat leon cupraseat leon frSeatLeonFri, 26 May 2006 08:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/621853/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/05/26/seat-debuts-leon-fr-announces-pricing/621853/article-detail.xml 621853 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/seatfrlive3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/seatfrlive3.jpg -1 2