Cupra Leon VZ TCR: the most powerful FWD Leon ever

• Cupra Leon VZ TCR is inspired by the race car of the same name.
• 325PS, front-wheel drive
• Limited to 499 examples
• Cupra Leon VZ gets the same engine, limited to 1500 units

Cupra has announced two new limited-edition, road-going cars inspired by its Cupra Leon VZ TCR race car. The first, also called the Cupra Leon VZ TCR, is a hardcore, track-focused hot hatch with 325PS delivered through the front wheels, making it the most powerful front-wheel-drive Leon ever. A second model, called the Cupra Leon VZ, will precede it, packing the same engine.

The Leon VZ TCR is limited to 499 units and has a race-inspired design both inside and out, with removable rear seats, a strut bar and lightweight alloys to match its four-strap harness seat belts and bucket seats.

The Leon VZ, restricted to 1500 examples, will go on sale before the TCR model. It has the same engine but isn't quite so stripped back, although Cupra hasn't yet released a great deal of information about the specifics.

The engine in both cars is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit also used in the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50.

2026 Cupra Leon VZ TCR price and release date

We'll see the Cupra Leon VZ first, on sale at some point in the first quarter of 2026, although a firm date hasn't yet been release. The Leon VZ TCR will follow later towards the end of the year. No prices have been revealed as yet, but somewhere around £45,000 to £50,000 for the VZ seems likely, with the TCR model a chunk more than that.

2026 Cupra Leon VZ TCR styling, interior and technology

The Leon VZ TCR looks considerably more extreme than the standard Cupra Leon, with a race-inspired aerodynamic elements including a roof spoiler, front and rear splitters, side skirts and diffuser, as well as exclusive lightweight alloy wheels developed just for this model.

There are wide 245mm tyres for extra grip, and Akebono brakes with six-piston callipers sit under the wheels. The side mirrors are clad in carbon-fibre. Quad copper exhaust pipes produce what Cupra says will be a "visceral" soundtrack. There's also a special livery on the outside, incorporating a stylised Cupra logo.

Inside, there are extra-supportive CUPBucket seats with four-strap belts, removable rear seats with a strut bar and an integrated net. A laser-engraved serial number is etched into the door panel.

Tech-wise, adaptive chassis control allows for various configurations of the different driving settings and a electronically controlled front differential lock (VAQ) is standard.

2026 Cupra Leon VZ TCR engine, performance and fuel economy

Both the new Leon VZ and the Leon VZ TCR share the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine used in the Edition 50 VW Golf GTI, with 325PS and 420Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed DSG transmission. The 0-62mph time for the TCR is 5.4 seconds while the top speed is described as "unrestricted".