The first Leon to carry the Cupra badge has been launched

Cupra has launched the new Cupra Leon at the inauguration of the brand's new headquarters, located next door to Seat's own corporate headquarters.

A wide range of engines is being offered for the Cupra Leon, from traditional petrol engines to a high-performance plug-in hybrid system, so customers can choose the vehicle that best suits their needs.

Available in both the hatchback and Sportstourer variants, the new plug-in hybrid technology means customers can keep the performance expected from a vehicle carrying the Cupra badge, but also enjoy an efficiency level not found in the segment before.

At the heart of the high-performance plug-in hybrid is a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine delivering 148bhp and 250Nm, which is paired with a 113bhp electric motor with a 13kWh lithium-ion battery pack that together provide 242bhp of peak power and 400Nm of torque.

But when pace isn't a necessity the driver can use the vehicle's electric only range of up to 60km (based on the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) to elegantly travel through urban streets or through city centres. When the battery needs recharging, it can be done in as little as 3.5 hours using a wallbox charger, while charging from a 230V domestic plug will take six hours.

The new Cupra Leon will also be available in a selection of three turbocharged, direct-injection, four-cylinder 2.0-litre TSI petrol units.

The lineup includes a 242bhp unit with 370Nm of torque, and a 296bhp unit with 400Nm of torque. These two variants are front-wheel drive, available in both hatchback and Sportstourer body styles, and integrate an electronic limited-slip differential to help offer greater control and precision in the vehicle's power delivery.

But the most most powerful engine in the lineup will sport 306bhp with 400Nm of torque, and will be available exclusively in the Sportstourer guise and with Cupra's 4Drive four-wheel drive system.

The 4Drive electro-hydraulic multi-disc traction system will constantly track the vehicle and driver inputs to deliver power to the correct wheel at the precise time it needs it, allowing the Cupra Leon Sportstourer to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in less than five seconds and up to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.

All powertrain combinations benefit from a DSG dual-clutch transmission for sharper, crisper and smoother gear changes.

Underpinning the Cupra Leon is a progressive steering system, giving the vehicle maximum agility even on the most challenging of tarmac, and connecting the driver with optimised feedback through the steering wheel.

Adaptive Chassis Control will allow the Cupra Leon to react to changes in driving style and the road by making changes to the setup in milliseconds to exploit the conditions and make for a genuinely engaging drive.

MacPherson struts at the front are paired with a rear multilink setup, with springs and dampers tuned specifically to balance the competing needs of comfort for daily driving and the response in more energetic scenarios. Brembo brakes on the Cupra Leon ensures that vehicle dynamics are as intuitive when entering a corner as when exiting.

On the interior, the Cupra Leon gets an additional Sport View in the digital cockpit, specifically developed by Cupra, adding information including engine RPM, torque, power, turbo pressure and a G-meter ahead of the driver for a more emotional display.

The driver's instrument cluster is augmented with a standard 10-inch infotainment system that incorporates a Retina display, offers 3D online navigation, reduces the number of hard buttons, and integrates voice and gesture control. The system combines the Full Link system making it compatible with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing customers to take the digital lives with them into the car no matter where they go.