IT’S SEAT’S fastest ever production car, so it’s fab in the great wide open, but can the Leon Cupra cope just as well with clogged up urban streets?

On the road: VERY definitely a Leon, it’s what’s underneath the skin that really sets the Cupra 280 apart from its brethren.

Sure there’s the body kit, fat tyres, red brake callipers, twin exhausts and distinctive paint job, but what makes the Cupra a true hot hatch is the potent powerplant beneath its bonnet.

With just shy of 280bhp on tap, nought to 62mph comes up in 5.7 seconds and it has a top speed of 155mph.

Truth is this is no dedicated track car and so how often are you going to be able to truly give it the beans, so to speak?

With this clearly in mind, the boffins at SEAT have ensured that the Cupra can truly be a car for all occasions.

With the press of a button it can be transformed from a fire-spitting dragon into a tame – well almost – pussycat and back again. With options including comfort, Cupra and individual it’s possible to tailor the car to your needs at any given time, meaning that it is most definitely a car for the commute as well as the weekend blast.

The ride is firmer than standard cars, but it’s definitely not uncomfortable and allied to a steering wheel that truly comes alive it means you can have plenty of fun into the bargain.

On the inside: THERE’S sports seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and gadgets that allow you to record lap times and like so the intentions are clear. However, the interior is not overly distinctive. That might suit most people, but every now and then I longed for something a little more adventurous to look at.

I prefer to sit low down in a car such as this and that does compromise complete vision a little, but it’s possible to get a position that improves your all around view.

What do you get: STANDARD equipment levels across the Leon range are extensive, but Cupra 280 trim adds dual chrome exhausts, exclusive front and rear bumpers, gloss black door mirrors and grille surround, satellite navigation and 19ins allows with titanium finish. In addition there’s a DAB radio, rain-sensing wipers and an LED interior lighting pack. Our test car also came with SEAT’s Leather Pack (£765), Safety Pack (£120), Driver Assist Pack (£300), SEAT sound system (£355), Adaptive Cruise Control (£505) and a space saver spare wheel (£100) pushing the total up by a little over £2,800 over the regular car. The Dynamic custom paint job was a further £700.

How practical is it: AS mentioned earlier, you really can drive this anywhere. I have driven other hot hatches which seem permanently angry and make the whole driving experience a tiring affair. The Cupra can be civilised or laddish depending on your desire. While it’s based on a family car, the three-door design of our test car made getting into the rear somewhat awkward, especially when it came to getting my three-year-old into and out of his child seat. The boot is a good size and dropping the seats enabled me to get my bike in with the minimum of fuss.

Running costs: SEAT reckons you can get 44.1mpg on the combined cycle. We managed 34.3mpg. CO2 emissions come in at 149g/km.

The price compares well with other hot hatches and the build quality is what you might expect from a brand backed by VW.

Verdict: THE hot hatch with a temperature switch.

Alternatives: Volkswagen Golf R, Vauxhall Astra VXR