More firepower for Leon Cupra R

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Seat wants to launch a super-hot version of its Leon Cupra R hatchback in the UK.

The 250bhp hot hatch, which has not yet been given the green light, would be used to promote the new Seat Leon Supercup race series in the UK, which starts in May.

Just 50 examples of the front-wheel-drive car would be built by Seat’s specialist performance arm, Seat Sport, said the company’s marketing chief Mike McKenna.

Power would be supplied by an uprated version of the 1.8-litre turbocharged engine used by the standard 210bhp Cupra R. The extra 40bhp should help the racy hatchback hit 60mph in less than seven seconds.

This hike in power would mean the Seat joins the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA as the most powerful hot hatch currently on sale. The Alfa manages the 0-60mph sprint in 6.3 seconds.

McKenna says the hottest Leon would cost £4000 more than the standard £16,695 Leon Cupra R – nearly £2000 less than the 147 GTA.