Cupra Leon Australian details revealed

The latest car brand out of Europe is headed to Australia and it promises some spicy models when it launches in just a few months.

The latest car brand out of Europe has detailed another piece of its Aussie puzzle.

Cupra, which is part of the giant Volkswagen Group, has revealed local details of its new Leon small car that is due to arrive in Australia in the middle of this year.

The Leon, which is based on the same platform as the VW Golf, will be available in four model grades.

Jeff Shafer, Cupra Australia’s head of product says all models will be well equipped with very few optional extras.

“There is no entry level variant as such,” says Shafer.

“Yes, there is an ascending order in terms of output, but we’ve equipped all Leons with such a level of standard equipment that no one will feel short changed in any version.”

The base Leon V is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine making 140kW and 320Nm. This is matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto driving the front wheels.

It comes rammed with goodies including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED head and tail lights and a rear roof spoiler among other exterior features.

All models in the range get multiple driving modes such as Sport and Comfort, displaying the brand’s sporty focus.

All models are relatively well equipped.

Inside, there is a 10-inch digital screen that is compatible with wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is complemented with a wireless device charging pad.

You get cloth wrapped sport bucket seats, ambient lighting and heated leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters.

Safety is top notch, with the Volkswagen Group’s full array of active driver aids.

The next model up is the VZ that gains 19-inch alloy wheels and a higher capacity version of the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that makes 180kW/370Nm. This is the same unit found in the new Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The Leon will be available in four model grades eventually.

Cupra is also bringing a plug-in hybrid version dubbed VZe. This model uses a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine combined with an electric motor to make a combined 180kW and 400Nm.

This model ditches the seven-speed dual clutch in favour of a six ratio version. It also loses the temporary spare tyre in favour of a repair kit.

Topping the range is the VZx that uses the same 2.0-litre turbo engine as the VW Golf R making 221kW and 400Nm. Unlike the all-wheel drive Golf R the Leon VZx is front-wheel drive.

It also gains 19-inch black and copper alloy wheels, a quad exhaust, leather heated bucket seats and a nine speaker Beats stereo.

Cupra hasn’t revealed its prices yet, but expect it to start north of $40,000 for the base Leon V and the top-spec VZx will likely sit just below the all-wheel drive Golf R that is priced about $70,000 drive-away.

The Leon V, which will be the cheapest, won’t arrive until next year.