The SEAT Leon Cupra is due to get a big update early next year, with a power bump to bring output up to 296bhp plus the option of four-wheel drive for the first time.
However, four-wheel drive will be an option only on the ST estate model to begin with, though the Spanish carmaker hasn’t ruled out the possibility of bringing out a four-wheel drive hatch version.
Traditionally, all of SEAT’s high-performance Cupra models have been front-wheel drive only, with marketing being one of the biggest reasons there’s never been a four-wheel drive Cupra.
The Leon shares its underpinnings with the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia - all three of which have four-wheel drive at least as an option.
Given that both the S3 and the Golf R have four-wheel drive and around 300bhp, it could be that the SEATs are kept to a front-wheel drive format only to avoid competition with their sister products.
However, with the arrival of cars like the new Ford Focus RS, powerful hatchbacks with four-wheel drive are becoming the standard and it makes sense that the Cupra models be upgraded to compete.
Along with AWD and the power boost, the SEAT Leon will also get a new digital instrument cluster from next year, similar to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit and the digital display on the new Volkswagen Golf.
Full details and pricing have yet to be announced, but the new Leon Cupra models will be available to order soon with first deliveries starting early in 2017.