SEAT Leon ST Cupra 280 available from £28,505

Published 16 January 2015

SEAT has opened the order books for the Leon ST Cupra. Prices for the 155mph estate start at £28,505 - £1295 more than the hatchback - and deliveries will start from March 2015.

The Leon ST Cupra 280 will be the quickest estate ever to be built by SEAT, with 280PS and a 0-62mph time of 6.1 seconds. The 2.0 turbocharged engine is linked to a six-speed manual transmission, as standard, although a six-speed DSG ‘box can be fitted for an additional £1355.

To improve handling, the front-wheel drive estate gets a mechanical front differential lock, which will be capable of shifting power 100 per cent to either side to improve traction under hard acceleration.

From the exterior, the Leon ST Cupra looks aggressive and purposeful, with bulbous air intakes, 19-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers and a large rear diffuser.

Inside, the Leon ST retains its 587-litre boot, which rises to 1470 litres with the rear seats folded, but gets a scattering of Cupra touches, with sport seats, aluminium pedals and Cupra Drive Profile, which enables the driver to alter the car’s suspension, steering and throttle set-up.

As you’d expect, the options list is long, with bucket seats, adaptive cruise control and semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres available. Buyers can also become the envy of their Focus ST neighbours, with the choice of black, organise or white metallic paint schemes.