We can appreciate a subtly fat Sjaak.
The Seat Leon and Cupra Leon are neat hatchbacks. Unfortunately, you don’t see them driving around as much as you used to. Just like with many other brands, there are so many more alternatives in the showroom for a certain price and a certain segment. Think of EVs or crossovers, or even worse: electric crossovers.
But the faithful Leon is still here. In fact, the current generation is better than ever. Where the Golf 8 took a step back, the Leon took a step or two forward. So the difference between the two has become a bit smaller. The advantage of the Cupra Leon compared to a comparable Golf is that the Spaniard has just a little bit more panache to offer.
Huge wheels
And if you want a bit more panache, you can also go to the German JE Design. The Seat fans from Leingarten simply make a subtle fat sjaak of the Cupra Leon. Not over the top as they can sometimes do. The highlight are the wheels. They are enormous patta’s, actually too enormous. Can we say that?
In itself the combination of black copper color is quite successful. Normally bicolor wheels are not really our (my) taste, but with copper it is possible, especially on a light gray car (Taiga Gray).
The wheels are 8 inches wide, which is relatively narrow for a 20 inch hoop. The tire size is 235/35 20. So don’t expect too much suspension comfort, because the sidewall is quite flat. Fortunately, JE Design is quick to point out that you can also opt for smaller sizes: 19 or even 18 inches is also possible. Probably with 19 inches you have the perfect combination between looks and driving characteristics.
Subtly thick scarf
To make sure the wheels really stand out, they developed a set of lowering springs. These work together with the original dampers and are 30 mm lower than normal. As mentioned: subtly thick, not over the top. By means of spacers you can also make sure the stance is completely perfect. In many modern cars the wheels are often (much) too far inwards, which is why it suddenly looks a lot better.
There are also some visual changes. There is a subtle spoiler lip (two-piece) at the front and some high-gloss black details that make your subtly fat jacket just a little bit more subtly fat.
Of course, carbon mirror caps and a roof spoiler are not missing. Quite unique for a tuner like JE Design is that they supply strips for the trunk access. Handy if you have an overactive Spaniel with wonderful motor skills.
And finally the engine: that is simply a 1.5 TSI with 150 hp, fortunately we only have big hybrids in the Netherlands, where these parts also fit. In the fall of this year more parts and upgrades for the Cupra Leon will follow. Hopefully it will also be a bit faster and there will also be some heavy upgrades like this M.
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