The Hot New SEAT Leon Cupra Is A Golf GTi For Non-Badge Snobs

The hot SEAT Leon we've all been waiting for is finally here, and it's a handsome brute. The third-generation Leon is much easier on the eyes than the bulbous second-gen car we waved goodbye to in 2012, so it's no surprise that a sporty makeover works wonders.

Buyers will have a choice between the base-spec, three door Cupra with 265PS (261bhp), or the Cupra 280 with, as you'd expect, 280PS (276bhp). The standard car goes from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, while the 280 manages the same in 5.8 seconds. Go for the DSG version and that drops to 5.7 seconds. All cars will top out at 155mph.

Impressive figures, but it's the addition of a mechanical front axle differential lock that grabs our attention. In the most extreme cases it can chuck 100 per cent of torque to one wheel. It'll dispense with the dreaded torque steer that usually plagues powerful front-wheel drive cars, but won't result in twitchy steering like many conventional limited slip diffs do.

The Leon Cupra is available to buy now. With prices ranging from £25,690 for the base SC to £28,525 for the full-fat, DSG'd 280 and the clever diff standard on all models, it's a highly tempting proposition. It's cheaper and far more powerful than a VW Golf GTi, and also less expensive than than a similarly specced Renaultsport Megane 265.