Seat Leon Cross Sport Is a Hot Hatch in Crossover Clothing

As expected, this is a fairly potent little two-door CUV with 296 horsepower and all-wheel drive. The angular design, while attractive, doesn't really suggest that much power is under the hood.

Sitting 1.6 inches higher than the brand's Leon Cupra, the Cross Sport is essentially a high-riding hot hatch. The prodigious power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 280 pound-feet of torque, and that muscle is routed through a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Seat believes that the concept could sprint to 62 miles per hour in quite spritely 4.9 seconds. Handling is aided by an electronic-locking differential.

The design of the Cross Sport takes a handsome, less-is-more approach. The black lower air dam visually hides the large intake, and creases down the sides add something to catch the eye. The only styling elements really suggesting so much available power are the small roof spoiler and quad exhaust pipes at the rear. Inside, the orange exterior carries over onto the seats.