SEAT Leon Cupra R

FAMILY hatchbacks aren’t necessarily what you’d expect to see in our Performance Car Of The Year line-up, but the sexy SEAT is no ordinary family car. It shares the same 2.0 TFSI engine as the Volkswagen Golf R, and the 261bhp powerplant comes with the promise of serious performance.

Plus, with five doors, a generous boot and well specified interior, it’s not only the driver who can enjoy the ride. Unlike the Golf R, the Leon does without sophisticated four-wheel drive, so all of its power is channelled to the front axle. And with peak torque delivered at only 2,500rpm, you can certainly feel the front tyres working hard. The firm’s XDS electronic differential, which mimics the effect of a mechanical limited-slip item, does a decent job of keeping wheelspin in check. However, it uses the front brakes to do this, which explains why the hot Leon works its stoppers very hard on the circuit.

Against the clock, the two-wheel-drive Cupra R lapped within half a second of its more expensive Golf R cousin, but its major controls lack the finesse exhibited its VW Group rival. The artificial soundtrack provided by its raspy twin exhaust set-up and internal noise generator is also an acquired taste. It wasn’t universally popular among our team.

On road and track the capable chassis has plenty of grip, but the light steering lacks weight and feel, and the sudden brakes aren’t very progressive. Nineteen-inch wheels also make the ride a little harsh on the road, although the Leon is a fast and fuss-free companion. Arguably its biggest problem is the cheaper Cupra model – because at £25,205, the R flagship doesn’t offer much more than its less powerful brother.