The Cupra brand has been spun off from Seat, and VW execs would like us to think they’re two entirely unconnected companies. Which isn’t so hard when you consider that Cupra sells things that Seat doesn’t, like the electric Born (Seat still doesn’t have an EV), the Formentor crossover, and will soon add the Tavascan to its lineup. But it’s a different story when you look at the Seat Leon and Cupra Leon. They’re the same cars, separated only by trim, powertrain options, and minor styling differences. But that’s about to change thanks to a facelift Cupra has planned for its Leon hatch and wagon models.
Both cars are taking on the aggressive
look seen on the new Tavascan SUV, Cupra’s version of the VW ID.5. That means
the sensible, mid-mounted hexagonal grille is giving way for a larger, more
evil-looking trapezoidal grille that stretches right down to the base of the
front bumper. The triangular lights and recessed channel below the leading edge
of the hood also call to mind Born, Cupra’s topped-and-tailed VW ID.4.
But because this is just a facelift,
there’s no opportunity to add full electric power. The Born and Tavascan ride
on VW’s MEB electric-dedicated architecture, while the Leon will carry on for
the next few years with the MQB Evo platform that’s also found under cars like
the latest Mk8.5 Golf, Audi A3, and Skoda Octavia.
That doesn’t mean electric power is off
the menu altogether. The current powertrain lineup includes a 1.5-liter
mild-hybrid four making 148 hp, and going by what VW changed when
upgrading the Mk8 Golf to the Mk8.5 last month, it looks like that’ll be
staying. But the PHEV version should be in line for a boost from 242 hp to 262 hp, while a bigger battery ought to provide a useful 100 km of emissions-free driving. Whether the 296 hp flagship
will gain a few more horses, we don’t yet know.
