The CUPRA León VZ arrives as the most powerful front-wheel drive car built in León to date. Equipped with a 2.0 TSI turbo petrol engine with 325 hp (239 kW) and 420 Nm of peak torque, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5. … 4 seconds, has a top speed of 270 km/h, and will be produced in a limited series of 1,500 units worldwide, and is scheduled to be launched in the first quarter of 2026.
The starting point for the CUPRA León VZ is its 2.0 TSI four-cylinder engine, a turbocharged engine that produces 325 hp and 420 Nm of torque, placing this version at the top of the model’s combustion range.
The engine takes as reference the experience accumulated with CUPRA León VZ TCR Racing, transferring part of this approach to a compact car for everyday use, but with clear sporting aspirations.
Power is routed through a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox, sending all the power to the front axle. With this combination, the León VZ was positioned as the best performance front-wheel drive hatchback model that Cupra brought to production.
In numbers, the CUPRA León VZ accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 270 km/h, below the usual 250 km/h limit found in other compact sports cars. To manage this power delivery, it uses the VAQ electronic differential lock, which analyzes steering angle, wheel speed and vehicle yaw in real time to distribute torque as efficiently as possible between the front wheels.
This system helps improve traction when accelerating on supports and maintain greater vehicle control when accelerating on twisty stretches, one of the normal scenarios for a compact car of this type.
MQB Evo chassis, DCC and Akebono six-piston brakes
The CUPRA León VZ uses the MQB Evo platform, but with specific chassis tuning. It combines a MacPherson front axle with a rear multi-link, with springs and shock absorbers calibrated for this version with the aim of achieving a balance between agility, stability and a reasonable level of comfort for daily use.
Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) adjusts the stiffness of the shock absorbers in fractions of a second, depending on the driving situation and road conditions. The driver can choose different profiles to bring the car’s behavior closer to a more comfortable use or to a clearly sporty configuration.
Brakes are provided by a signed team from Akebono, with six-piston calipers and ventilated and perforated front discs, sized to withstand heavy use and maintain consistent stopping distances even when demands are high.
Exterior and interior design with specific details
In the aesthetic department, the CUPRA León VZ is identifiable by its quad exhaust outlet with copper finish, reinforcing the brand identity and sporty character of this version. In addition to its technical function, the exhaust system generates the characteristic CUPRA sound, an important part of the driving experience in a model of this type.
Inside, the driving position maintains the Leon range philosophy, but includes dark chrome finishes, including satellite controls, which add a more sober and distinctive touch. The equipment is equipped with digital devices and the multimedia system already known in the model.
Production of the CUPRA León VZ will be limited to 1,500 units worldwide, and will be designed, developed and manufactured in Barcelona, at the brand’s headquarters in Martorell. Since its launch as an independent company in 2018, CUPRA has introduced seven different models and exceeded one million units sold, and the León VZ is one of the most radical proposals within its high-performance compact cars, aimed at those looking for maximum performance in a front-wheel drive format.