In 2014, Seat->ke80 stunned the hot hatch market with the Leon SC Cupra 280, a 276-horsepower three-door that lapped the Nurburgring->ke999 track in 7 minutes and 58.4 seconds, becoming the fastest front-wheel-drive production car on the German track. Although its record was quickly blown to pieces by the Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy-R, the Cupra 280 remained one of the hottest hatches released for the 2014 model year. In January 2015, less than a year since the Leon SC Cupra 280 set its record at the 'Ring, Seat introduced a wagon version to add more practicality to its halo hatch.

Equipped with the very same features inside and out, as well as an equally powerful turbocharged engine under the hood, the Leon ST Cupra 280 offers six-second 0-to-60 sprints and storage room of up to 52 cubic-feet. The Spanish wagon arrives just in time for the Volkswagen Golf R Variant, with which it shares numerous components , but, unlike its German sibling, it won't cross the pond to the United States. Be that as it may, the ST Cupra 280 is a wagon worth looking into, which is what we'll do after the jump.

Click past the jump to read more about the Seat Leon ST Cupra 280.

Exterior

On the outside, the wagon remains true to the current-generation Leon ST's styling, enhanced by the aero parts that debuted with the SC Cupra 280. Highlights include full-LED headlamps, larger air intakes in the front bumper, a rear diffuser and bigger oval tailpipes. There's also a new roof spoiler, black exterior mirrors, bespoke 19-inch wheels, Cupra lettering on the brake calipers, and tinted side windows and rear windscreen.

Customers who opt for the Sub8 Performance Pack receive larger Brembo calipers, unique 19-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels in either black or orange and body-colored side skirts. Lastly, the optional White Line, Black Line and Orange Line packs change the surrounds of the radiator grille, door mirrors and parts of the aluminum wheels to white, black and Cup Racer orange, respectively.

Interior

Interior updates for the ST Cupra 280 are equally extensive and include a sports steering wheel with paddle shifters for the DSG transmission, sport seats wrapped in black Alcantara with white stitching, and aluminum door sills and pedals. Front bucket seats and black leather upholstery with white stitching are available as options.

The performance wagon is also equipped with a 5.8-inch color touchscreen and LED ambient lighting. The color of the LEDs can be selected using the Cupra Drive Profile, glowing red in Cupra mode and white with the standard setting. The storage room offered by the regular Leon ST remains unaltered with the addition of the Cupra 280 package, meaning the wagon benefits from the same 20-cubic-foot boot, which expands to 52 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

Drivetrain

As its Cupra 280 designation suggests, this wagon shares its drivetrain with the Leon SC hot hatch. Motivation is thus provided by the same turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-banger rated at 276 horsepower (280 PS) and 258 pound-feet of torque, the latter delivered from 1,750 rpm. Similarities continue in the transmission department, with Seat offering a six-speed manual or a DSG.

Naturally, the wagon is slower from 0 to 62 mph when compared to the hatchback, needing six seconds to reach the benchmark with the optional DSG and 6.1 seconds with the standard manual. The hatch takes 5.7 and 5.8 seconds, respectively. Top speed is identical at an electronically limited 150 mph.

As far as fuel economy goes, Seat quotes 42.8 mpg for the DGS and 42.2 mpg for the manual. Both represent combined figures on the British cycle and convert to around 35.6 and 35.1 mpg U.S., respectively.

Suspension and Brakes

The Cupra 280 is not just about speed, but good handling too. Standard features include Dynamic Chassis Control, a front-axle differential lock, progressive steering, and an ESC system with two stages. The optional Sub8 Performance Pack, also borrowed from the hatchback that lapped the Nurburgring track in less than eight minutes, adds larger Brembo brake calipers. Semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires are also available at extra cost.

Prices

Pricing for the Leon ST Cupra, which is scheduled to go on sale in March 2015, will be announced at a later date, but looking at the sticker of the hatchback model, I expect the wagon to start from around £28,500 ($43,100 as of 01/09/2014). The Sub8 Performance Pack adds another £2,025 ($3,062), while the semi-slick tires are available for £460 ($695). Unfortunately, you'll have to move to the UK or Mainland Europe to get one of these hot wagons, as Seat isn't likely to bring its products to the United States anytime soon.

Competition

Volkswagen Golf R Variant

The Leon ST Cupra 280 arrived just in time for the Golf R Variant, which takes the R's outstanding performance figures and wraps them in a more useful package. Because Seat is under the same Volkswagen umbrella, the two hot wagons have a lot in common, including the turbo, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine under the hood. But while the Leon's cranks out 276 ponies, the Golf's churns 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.

The added oomph makes the R Variant a full second quicker than the ST Cupra 280 in a straight line, with the German wagon needing 5.1 seconds to hit 62 mph from a standing start. The six-speed DSG and 4Motion all-wheel-drive system come standard with the Golf R, as does the Haldex 5 differential. Although the Golf R Variant is not yet available in the UK as of January 2015, we expect it to cost more than the Leon ST Cupra 280. The hatchback version is priced from £30,150, which converts to $45,595.

Conclusion

Much like the Golf Variant, the Leon ST offers the benefits of a compact wagon with stylish looks and an affordable sticker. The Cupra 280 picks up from there and adds a hefty amount of performance, turning the ST model into the more practical version of the Leon SC Cupra 280 hot hatch. If you need the power, the speed and the extra amount of cargo room, but you don't want to spend too much moolah on an Audi RS4 Avant, the Leon ST Cupra 280 is the best pick in Europe. In the U.S., however, you'll have to settle for the Golf R Variant unless Seat decides to bring its products on these shores.