Seat Leon Cross Sport Show Car combines performance and rugged looks

New concept car uses Seat's Cupra and X-Perience styling cues; could be on sale in 18 months...

Seat Leon Cross Sport Show Car combines performance and rugged looks

Seat has given the first indications that it is planning to launch a high-riding hot hatch by unveiled design sketches of the Seat Leon Cross Sport Show Car on the eve of the Frankfurt motor show.

The sketches reveal the three-door car blends the firm's hot hatch Seat Leon Cupra styling and the high-riding Seat Leon X-Perience line's rugged looks.

Seat itself has issued only a brief statement saying the concept car "matches the Seat brand perfectly with its performance, dynamic design and crossover attitude and the urban lifestyle of our young spirited customers."

It is not clear just how fast the car would be. The Seat Leon Cupra is powered by a 276bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, but this car could use the VW Golf R's faster 296bhp powertrain and Haldex all-wheel drive system.

No potential date for the concept to go on-sale has been given, but if the reaction from potential customers is positive it could launch within the next 18 months.