Although you could be tempted to think that the two prototypes the spies captured in southern Europe are identical, the devil is in the details. The Brembo brake calipers and charging port on one of the small hatchbacks indicated it was the eHybrid model, which is the Spanish name for the Golf GTE and Octavia RS iV.
Many would contend that the disguise is essentially useless given that Cupra first unmasked the 2024 Leon in June 2022. Its redesign is quite dramatic for merely a mid-cycle update, especially considering how little the new Golf will alter. New headlamps with a three-point design reminiscent of the Tavascan electric crossover are featured on the redesigned front fascia.
The Cupra will get completely new headlights in addition to a completely revised front bumper with a more aggressive lower air intake with a grid pattern. Regrettably, the radar sensor hasn’t been properly merged somewhere else and still stands out like a sore thumb. Although we’re sure some people will enjoy the cleaner design of the current model, the Leon does appear more aggressive than it did before. Although the hatch is shown in these spy photos, the more useful wagon has previously been shown in car paparazzi pictures.
In a recent wild report, Autocar predicted that the Volkswagen Group would discontinue the SEAT Leon entirely and just offer the facelifted model with a Cupra nameplate. Even if that doesn’t happen, the traditional brand still has to deal with uncertainty. Thomas Schäfer, the company’s chairman, responded, “Cupra is the future of SEAT,” when asked about the company’s prospects. The established brand will go on, but it will play a “different function.” Although sources close to Martorell claim it will become a mobility brand by offering e-scooters and other products, it is unclear what exactly that would be.
The SEAT/Cupra Leon facelift is anticipated to make its debut in 2024 and remain in place for about 3–4 years.
