Cars

The hot Seat gets even hotter

Seat has turned up the boost on its Cupra hot hatch
Seat has turned up the boost on its Cupra hot hatch Seat has turned up the boost on its Cupra hot hatch

SEAT'S hot Leon Cupra model has been getting gradually, well, hotter, with the latest upgrade earning it a '300' suffix.

That refers to engine power of 300PS, or 296bhp if you prefer, and moves the Cupra line even closer to Volkswagen's Golf R.

The Golf R enjoys the benefit of four-wheel-drive, and that level of traction is denied the Cupra three- and five-door hatches but standard on the smart-looking ST estate.

The Cupra 300 is, as you would expect, well equipped. Traffic jam assist, lane assist, adaptive cruise control and pedestrian protection are standard and it also gets Seat's latest infotainment system, including a so-called connectivity hub that includes wireless charging for a smartphone and an amplifier for areas with low signal coverage.

The Cupra 300 is rated as Seat's most powerful road car yet. Power is up from the current range-topper's 290PS but torque has also climbed usefully from 258lb/ft to 280lb/ft.

The new model is due in showrooms in March next year. Prices have yet to be announced.