Spied: Seat's Upcoming Leon SC Cupra Filmed

Seat's hottest version of the new generation Leon, the Cupra, has been captured on camera in three-door trim (the Spaniards call it the SC or Sports Coupe) undergoing tests in and around the Nürburgring track ahead of its mid-2014 launch.

Besides the three-door model, Seat is also expected to offer the Cupra as a five-door version, and according to some rumors, as a Sports Tourer (ST or estate) as well, to compete with the likes of the Ford Focus ST Wagon.

We hear that the Leon Cupra models will come with the VW Group's 2.0-liter unit delivering somewhere around 270-horsepower, paired to either a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, feeding the front wheels via a mechanical limited-slip differential.

Later on, we could see an even hotter Leon Cupra R with more than 300-horses under its hood and standard all-wheel drive.

Check out the spy video from L'Automobile magazine right past the jump.

VIDEO

VW Group Tops 7 Million Sales in Nine Months for the First Time Ever

Even though the European market continues to have problems, the VW Group had…no problem setting an all-time sales record surpassing the 7 million mark for the first time during the first three quarters of a year (from January through September).

"Thanks to a broad-based, international positioning and a convincing product range we were able to respond well to the continuing uncertainty in the Eurozone and the challenging overall market situation – and have thus been able to win many customers for our attractive models,” commented Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler.

While the group's sales were down 2.4 percent in Europe (2.73 million deliveries) and 9.4 percent in South America (681,200), it reported a 9.2 percent increase in North America (664,500 sales) and 16 percent in the Asia-Pacific region (2.63 million). In China alone, the VW Group sold 2.35 million cars in the first nine months of 2013, an increase of 17.7 percent over the same period last year.

By brand, Volkswagen recorded a 3.6 percent increase in global sales (4.36 million), with Audi up 7.6 percent (1.18 million deliveries), Porsche sold 119,700 cars (it became a member of the VW family in August 2012), Skoda dropped 4.5 percent (684,900) and Seat increased its sales by 11.7 percent (266,100 cars).

The group's commercial vehicles division handed over 406,600 models to customers around the world, 0.7 percent less than last year.

PHOTO GALLERY

Seat Mii Miinx Special is Decisively Pink

According to the dictionary, the word "minx" means, "A girl or young woman who is considered pert, flirtatious, or impudent", and this is probably what a Seat dealer wants to say with a new special edition version of its Mii city car named "Miinx".

Seat Shows New Leon Compact Hatch, Confirms Three-Door and Estate Variants [64 Photos & Videos]

Seat is welcoming visitors at the 2012 Paris Motor Show with its all-new Leon compact hatchback, as well as the company’s redesigned logo.
Speaking about the introduction of the logo and the Leon during the company's press conference in Paris, Seat President James Muir also confirmed the addition of two more body styles to the compact model's range.
“The new Leon will be the first SEAT to wear the new logo. And, the new Leon will be a key pillar in our future success – especially when the Leon family expands to include a striking three-door version and a versatile, stylish wagon," said Muir.
The third generation of the Leon is the third vehicle in the Volkswagen Group family to adopt the firm's flexible and lightweight MQB after the VW Golf Mk7 and the new Audi A3 hatchbacks, all of which compete in the C-segment.

All-New 2013 Seat Leon Officially Revealed, 21 HD Photos, Video and Details

The new, third generation of the Seat Leon was officially unveiled today, some two-and-a-half months prior to its Paris Motor Show debut in front of the public in late September.
Seen here in five-door trim, the new Leon will also be available in a sportier looking three-door hatchback body style as well as an estate variant, with all three models to be launched into the market by next fall.
The new Leon sports a sharper look with more creases that brings to mind the IBE Concept as well as the Ibiza. Due to the fact that there will be a three-door Leon, Seat has replaced the current model's hidden rear door grips with conventional handles mounted on the doors.
The Leon is also the first Seat car to wear the company’s newly designed badge, which will eventually be used on all models.
Inside, the Leon Mk3 features a contemporary design with an instrument panel that looks very similar to the one found in the latest Audi A3. Seat officials say the materials, finish and attention to details are "at least as good as you can find in the segment above."

SEAT Drawings of Various Models Including Coupes and Sportbacks Pop Up on the Web

What appear to be patent drawings of numerous SEAT models were found in a posting on a Spanish blog called Decoches. Unfortunately, no additional information is provided about the source of the pictures.

A quick research on the European patent office didn't return any results, so we're not going to brand the sketches genuine just yet - for all we know they might be the work of an independent designer / artist who has nothing to do with the VW Group-owned, Spanish carmaker.

In any case, you can check out all the drawings / proposals for a series of SEAT models in the gallery after the break.