Performance Review: Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG - [2014]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Leon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG is the 6 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2014. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Agera RS 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.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 1421 kgs (3132 lbs) this makes the Seat Leon Cupra 280 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 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 16V St4 engine produces 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 5700 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 1750 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 2008 Dodge Charger 6.1 SRT8 (219.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Leon.

The Seat Leon has a Power to weight ratio of 194.2 bhp per ton and 181.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2014 Leon competing with the 2008 Dodge Charger 6.1 SRT8 (219.2 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (219.2 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 181.5 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 2003 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet (206.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX S (206.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.8 secs, this made the Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs). This Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG is also faster than the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the and the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Leon and the 2005 Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12

When talking about the performance of the Seat Leon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.12 secs @ 96.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2005 Volkswagen-VW Phaeton 6.0 W12 (14.06 secs), the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (14.06 secs), and the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (14.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2014 version of the Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2014 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 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 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:

2014 Leon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison