YOU can probably recognise the owner of a new SEAT Leon Cupra...he or she will have an ear-to-ear grin painted on their face.

The reason's simple. Here's a no-nonsense hatch without boy racer accessories that can show a clean pair of low profiles to a Porsche or an F-Type.

It packs a 276bhp punch but it doesn't have to resort to heavy and expensive four-wheel-drive to get the power down.

All this and 30mpg-plus at the pumps together with space for four and their luggage help make the SEAT one of the hottest hot hatches around. At £28,210 it's cheaper than its blood brother the Golf GTI...and faster too.

The unrelenting urge, which allows 62mph to be despatched in a mere 5.8 seconds, comes from the VW group's well utilised 2.0 turbo four-pot. Peak power comes between 5,340rpm and 6,600rpm where the red line lies.

But most impressive is the incredible amount of torque from just 1,750rpm, making the Cupra exceptionally swift even if you are rowing through the six-speed gearbox.

An automatic twin clutch system is available but the manual with its short-throw, light action is so satisfying and fun that it might be the better choice unless you do a lot of city driving. It is a supremely flexible engine that allows you to potter at 25mph in fifth, then floor the accelerator and disappear into the distance.

Corner hard and you soon realise that the Leon has huge reserves of grip as well as a ride that remains comfortable despite being sportily resistant to roll. Built on VW's excellent MQB platform, it combines strength with lightness - two vital ingredients for a dynamic drive.

There are a number of setting options to suit various driving styles offering greater or lesser involvement from the helm. It is, however, possible to make the front end ‘tramp' a little under full power when exiting a bend - but by-and-large it is an easy and nimble car to steer quickly.

The cabin is roomy and well finished if a little on the drab side with acres of black plastic - a shame and a missed opportunity because much thought has gone into designing the stylish exterior.

The two-tone leather seats (£1,055 extra) are well shaped and very comfortable, and luggage capacity is a generous 380 litres. This car was fitted with White Line trim which included contrasting exterior mirrors and front grille surround and alloy wheels with coloured ‘accents'. (£505). Sat nav is a reasonable £680 extra.

Economy probably isn't at the forefront of your thoughts when buying a 155mph hot hatch, yet the Cupra won't cost a mint to run.

The combined average is 42.8mpg which corresponds with a real-life figure in the low 30s. I regularly hit the 35mpg mark and even when pressing on consumption remained above 30mpg.