A CUPRA WITH EXTRA SPARK (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_cupraleone-hybrid_2021

By Jonathan Crouch

Will the CUPRA Leon be as appealing in e-Hybrid PHEV form? Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 47

The CUPRA Leon is a different sort of hot hatch - very different in the case of this PHEV e-Hybrid version. This is an unusual confection, but it deserves serious consideration from anyone prioritising performance with efficiency and wanting something just a little different in this segment.

Backgroundword count: 169

Hot hatches can these days be very socially responsible - and if you doubt that, here's one that sets out to change your mind - the CUPRA Leon e-Hybrid. The name here may not be familiar, but the engineering formula delivered may well be. Ever since 2015, Volkswagen's sporty Golf GTE has offered a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine mated to an electric motor powered by lithium-ion battery that gives limited all-electric driving range. In more recent years, this more dynamic take on the PHEV plug-in formula has been replicated in similar products by two other VW Group brands; Skoda, who these days can offer you a plug-in version of their Octavia vRS. And CUPRA, who've brought us this CUPRA Leon e-Hybrid. The Golf and the Octavia both also offer this PHEV powerplant in 204PS form, but that's a bit of a weedy output for a car looking like this one, so this Spanish contender limits itself to the Golf GTE-style 245PS version of this powertrain. How does it fare?

Driving Experienceword count: 233

This CUPRA may have a socially responsible powertrain but it still wants to be a hot hatch. Like other more conventional CUPRA Leons, this one get sports suspension lowered by 25mm at the front and 20mm at the rear. And a set of drive modes - 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'CUPRA', the latter for those red mist moments. These set-ups determine throttle response, gearshift timings from the DSG 7-speed auto, steering feel and the level of artificial engine noise you'll want pumped into the cabin. An extra 'Individual' menu option allows you to set your own parameters if you don't like the pre-set ones. Under the bonnet, it's just as in a Golf GTE, which means a 150PS 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine is mated to a 6-speed DSG auto gearbox and an 85kW electric motor powered by a 13kWh lithium-ion battery with a WLTP-rated all-electric driving range quoted at 34 miles. Which of course you won't get anywhere near if you explore the quoted all-electric top speed of 80mph or start trying to throw the thing around too much (an extra kerb weight addition of up to 60kgs over a conventionally-engined CUPRA Leon discourages you a bit from doing that anyway). There's 400Nm of torque on tap, which facilitates a 0-62mph time of 6.7s (7.0s for the estate) en route to 140mph flat out. Sensible family motoring was never quite as fun as this.

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