Performance Review: Seat Leon Cupra R 2.0 20v - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Leon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Leon Cupra R 2.0 20v is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport and the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8.This particular Seat Leon has a 1984cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Leon shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Leon's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1375 kgs (3031 lbs) this makes the Seat Leon Cupra R 2.0 20v in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Seat Leon shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 20V St4 engine produces 261 bhp (194 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Seat Leon you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8l Coupe (214.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Leon.

The Seat Leon has a Power to weight ratio of 189.8 bhp per ton and 187.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 Leon competing with the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8l Coupe (214.7 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 Tourer 6.2 V8 (214.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Seat Leon generating around 187.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V3 - Classic JDM (212.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V3 V-Limited - Classic JDM (212.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Seat Leon Cupra R 2.0 20v as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs). This Seat Leon Cupra R 2.0 20v is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Leon and the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260

When talking about the performance of the Seat Leon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.97 secs @ 97.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Porsche Boxster 3.2 S 260 (13.92 secs), the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs), and the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (13.93 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Seat Leon Cupra R 2.0 20v has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 Leon equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Seat Leon Cupra R 2.0 20v then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2009 Leon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison