This is the SEAT Leon Cupra R, the most powerful SEAT ever committed to a showroom. It's got 261bhp running through the front wheels from a highly-strung version of the ubiquitous VW Group 2.0-litre TSI engine.

Sadly SEAT has released the first images of it in this 'metallic snot' hue, but when it makes its debut proper at the Frankfurt Motor Show we expect the Spanish maker will rock up with a lovely white one, as is the hot hatch norm these days.

SEAT boasts that the Cupra R is mega torquey and offers 'remarkable flexibility,' which is probably to abate fears that the extra power comes from a whopping great turbo that may suffer from lag. We do know that some of the extra oomph comes from a new high-pressure fuel injector, but we'll find out just how flexible it is soon enough. Very, we'd guess, given its 6.1-second 0-62mph dash.

That makes the Cupra R almost a second quicker to the benchmark than the formidable Golf GTI and only a couple of tenths away from the current hot hatch king, the Ford Focus RS. A very exciting prospect, I think you'll agree. It will hit 155mph, yet it's also capable of 'a shade under 35mpg', according to SEAT.

Visual distinguishers include R badges, obviously, and a set of sparkly 19-inchers at all four corners that shroud some lovely red brake callipers. Inside it gets 'competition-styled' seats (which hopefully doesn't refer to a primary school deckchair design competition), Alcantara upholstery, aluminium pedals, leather for the stuff you put your hands on, and the following list of acronyms: ABS + TCS, ESP + EBA, and XDS - though they're not strictly inside as such.

We'll be at the Frankfurt show next month, where we'll also be keeping an eye out for a 'concept' version of the new SEAT Ibiza Sport Tourer.

Mark Nichol - 19 Aug 2009