Four Cupra Leon variants for Oz, including PHEV

Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) has announced its line-up for the upcoming 2022 Cupra Leon hatch which, unlike the Cupra Ateca SUV, will be available in four distinct flavours when first examples arrive in July.

While local pricing is yet to be announced, the Australian Cupra Leon range will consist of V, VZ, VZe and VZx variants – all of which share a common specification level in terms of standard equipment, differing only in their powertrains and aesthetics.

As a result, all locally delivered Cupra Leons will come with cloth-trimmed sports seat, black headlining, leather-clad multi-function steering wheel, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, satellite navigation, smartphone mirroring, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, keyless entry and start, three-zone climate control, sports pedals, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and adaptive cruise control.

Exterior lighting is taken care of by automatic LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights, while the fog lights have an active cornering function.

A roof spoiler, tinted rear windows, alloy wheels and metallic paint complement the sporty ambience of the interior.

Standard safety features comprise 10 airbags, Travel Assist, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane assist, park assist, side assist with exit assist, driver fatigue monitor, emergency assist, rain-sensing wipers and a reversing camera.

Power for the range-opening Leon V variant will come from a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

Together, the pairing transfers 140kW/320Nm exclusively to the front wheels.

While that’s not hot hatch levels of performance, the Leon V will come with adaptive dampers and progressive steering to help owners get the most out of their chassis, however, buyers will have to wait until early 2023 to take delivery.

Those chasing more power or even just a shorter wait time (July) will be able to opt for the 180kW/370Nm Leon VZ, which also ushers in two-tone 19-inch alloys in place of the V’s 18-inch units.

Pricier but more frugal than the VZ, the Leon VZe ditches the 2.0-litre engine altogether and replaces it with a turbocharged 1.4-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain yielding an identical 180kW but a meatier 400Nm of torque.

All that shove is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed DCT.

Sitting atop the Australian Cupra Leon range will be the 221kW/400Nm VZx; a dedicated hot hatch slotting into the VGA portfolio between the Volkswagen Golf GTI (180kW/370Nm) and inbound Golf R (235kW/400Nm).

Like the rest of the range (except the 1.4-litre VZe PHEV), the 2.0-litre turbo Leon VZx sends its power and torque exclusively to the front wheels via a seven-speed DCT and, as in the VZ, a limited-slip front differential like hat seen in VW's Mk8 Golf GTI.

The 2022 Cupra Leon VZx can be singled out by its more aggressive demeanour, sporting black and copper 19-inch alloys, the VZx flaunts quad exhaust outlets and more aggressive side skirts on the outside and ups the ante further inside.

The cabin features a heated ‘supersports’ leather steering wheel, ‘petrol blue’ upholstery, nine-speaker Beats sound system and memory function for the wing mirrors.

A Brembo brake package is optionally available for those who want to take things further.

According to Cupra Australia head of product and planning Jeff Shafer, the mostly common specification across the Leon range should ensure customers don’t feel short-changed regardless of which variant they choose.

“With outputs ranging from 140kW/320Nm to 221kW/400Nm, each Leon has the power and torque to match its design, a combination that in only four years has seen Cupra become a byword for performance and style,” he said.

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