It would be an even closer match if the five-door Leon hatch and 3-door SC offered ... And like the Golf R Estate the Leon ST Cupra 300 is DSG-only. SEAT hasn't yet released performance figures ...

On the face of it then, the SEAT Leon Cupra ST 300 Carbon Edition is little more ... nose and despite its 26cm of extra length over the hatch, the Cupra remains completely straight-laced.

The Leon ST has the sportiest demeanor of the three and can almost equal the Ford Focus Estate for driving fun. It’s also not far from matching the Kia Ceed Sportswagon for value, or the Peugeot ...

It’s always managed to outshine the iconic German hatch for driving fun ... nearer to Comfort meant that the Leon was no firmer riding than a standard SEAT model, while even cranking it up ...

Now, the Iberian auto marque is expanding the range of its Leon FR with a choice of new engines. Buyers looking for a hot hatch could do worse than a Volkswagen GTI.