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Cupra Australia has confirmed plug-in hybrid (PHEV) energy will return to the Leon Hatch vary early in 2026, bridging the hole between the mild-hybrid entry-level S variant and the go-fast VZx sizzling hatch.
The 2026 Cupra Leon Hatch Ve is due for native launch “on the finish of the primary quarter” of subsequent yr (round March), and will probably be debut the lower-output 150kW e-Hybrid PHEV drivetrain for the Volkswagen Group in Australia.
Pairing a 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine with an 85kW/330Nm electrical motor, the Leon Hatch Ve will boast the identical 25.8kWh (gross) lithium-ion battery for a claimed WLTP electrical driving vary of 130km based on abroad specs.
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The claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.7 seconds and the highest velocity is 220km/h. Like the brand new Leon Sportstourer VZe, the Gen2 plug-in hybrid system might be DC fast-charged at as much as 50kW, and at up 11kW through AC energy. Utilizing the previous, the Leon e-Hybrid might be juiced from 10-80 per cent in a claimed 26 minutes.
Pricing and specs are nonetheless to be confirmed, however we count on it to observe an analogous construction to the recently-released Terramar SUV, the place the bottom S and mid-spec V variants get a barely totally different look courtesy of various wheels, however with largely the identical stage of package.
Given plug-in hybrid Cupra Leons and Formentors don copper-splashed pretend exhaust retailers, we’re anticipating a equally Copper-accented set of wheels to be fitted to the Leon Ve as the primary differentiator, with the provision of a Leather-based and Sound Package deal and a panoramic sunroof as optionally available gear.
The 2026 Cupra Leon Hatch S at the moment begins from $46,990, whereas the 221kW VZx has launched from $64,990 – all costs exclude on-road prices. CarExpert anticipates the Ve will command a premium of between $5000 and $10,000 over the Leon S, indicating a worth within the low- to mid-$50,000 bracket.
Regardless, the Cupra Leon stays one of many few small passenger vehicles with a plug-in hybrid possibility, after Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot withdrew their very own PHEV hatchbacks regionally in latest occasions. VW Group stablemate manufacturers Audi and Volkswagen don’t supply plug-in variations of the associated A3 and Golf in Australia, both.
The launch of the Leon Ve will deliver the PHEV headcount to 2, following the brand new 200kW Leon Sportstourer VZe which runs successfully the identical drivetrain however with a extra highly effective petrol engine (130kW) in a bigger physique.
After the PHEV hatchback launches in March, the Sportstourer wagon lineup will double in dimension with the launch of the 245kW VZx AWD round June-July, bringing the overall Leon variant depend to 5. That’s loads of alternative in trim ranges and powertrains for a automobile that at the moment holds solely a 1.5 per cent share of the premium small-car phase.
No different mannequin at both the mainstream or premium ends of the small passenger automotive class at the moment gives PHEV choices, with plug-in alternate options restricted to the all-electric BYD Dolphin, MG 4, Nissan Leaf and Renault Megane E-Tech.
Arguably, the Leon Ve’s closest rival would be the Honda Civic e:HEV LX, a standard hybrid with a leaning in the direction of driving engagement. It’s at the moment priced from $55,900 drive-away.
Keep tuned to CarExpert for all the most recent, and observe the hyperlink under for our launch evaluate of the brand new Cupra Leon.
MORE: 2026 Cupra Leon evaluate
MORE: Discover the Cupra Leon showroom
