Cupra Leon VZ TCR Debuts As The Most Powerful FWD Leon Ever

Cupra has pulled the wraps off the Leon VZ TCR, the brand’s most powerful front-wheel-drive Leon to date. The name tips its hat to Cupra’s touring car racer, and the road car follows the same spirit with a heavily worked 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It pushes out 321 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, all sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

With that setup, the VZ TCR sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 5.6 seconds. Cupra says the top speed is “unrestricted,” though they’re keeping the actual number under wraps for now.

To handle the extra power, the car comes equipped with adaptive chassis control, an electronically controlled front diff lock, and a strut bar for added rigidity. Braking is handled by a serious Akebono setup with six-piston calipers.

Visually, the Cupra Leon VZ TCR doesn’t hold back. It gets a front splitter, deeper side skirts, a prominent rear wing, and a copper-finished quad exhaust system. Lightweight wheels wrapped in performance rubber complete the exterior package.

Cupra hasn’t shown the interior yet, but it confirmed the car will get CUPBucket seats with four-point harnesses, a laser-engraved serial number on the door, and removable rear seats for those who want to shave weight before a track session. Only 499 Cupra Leon VZ TCR units will be built, and the first deliveries are planned for late next year.