Performance Review: Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG - [2017]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Leon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo.This particular Seat Leon has a 1440cc 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, Estate 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 1440 kgs (3174 lbs) this makes the Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Seat Leon shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1440cc 16V St4 engine produces 296 bhp (220 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 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 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (230.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Leon.

The Seat Leon has a Power to weight ratio of 205.5 bhp per ton and 194.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 Leon competing with the 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (230.5 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8 (230.3 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 194.4 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 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (219.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Dodge Challenger 5.7 V8 R/T (219.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Leon and the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t

When talking about the performance of the Seat Leon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.74 secs @ 99.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t (13.69 secs), the 1995 BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 (13.69 secs), and the 1966 Mercury Cyclone 6.4 V8 (13.69 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 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 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG 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:

2017 Leon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison