This 500bhp Seat Leon Cupra Is An AWD Lambo Killer

Would you like to watch a Seat hatchback out-drag a Lamborghini supercar? Of course you would. Here you go then.

Video 1

So, how exactly does a Seat Leon Cupra thrash a 5.2-litre V10 Lamborghini Gallardo in a soaking wet drag race? It takes a lot of money, time, and patience, but to do it, you'll end up turning this...

...into this!

Based in Sweden, this is the world's fastest Leon (that we know of). It's got a reinforced 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged engine with a stressed block and forged, big-bore pistons and a huge turbo. Fuel injectors are pinched from a V8 Audi RS4. Power? Circa 500bhp. That'd be too much for just the front wheels to handle, so underneath, this Leon has swapped in a Golf R32 all-wheel drive platform. That'll explain why it can nuke 911 Turbos as well.

Video 2

There's a wider track, stiffer coilover springs, and massively upgraded brakes: the front calipers are eight-piston jobs from a Gallardo, in fact. The less heavily worked rear stoppers are off a Golf R32. Plus, there's a decatted exhaust system, singlemass flywheel, and a Quaife differential to marhsal power between the axles. The whole party rides on 19in Oz Racing rims wearing Pirelli tyres.

The bonnet and engine cover are carbonfibre, and there's a lightweight widebody kit too. Even the green paint is VW Group-related: it's the same shade of Viper Green you can spec on a Scirocco, and should, because it's a rather smart shade.

Best bit? The owner claims this carbon-clad super-Leon is his daily driver. Forget Mercedes A45 AMGs and BMW M135is: this is way up the scale of world's hottest street-legal hatch.