There can’t be many, if any, hot hatch enthusiasts who wouldn’t welcome a little more power under the bonnets of their cars and Seat have duly obliged with the Leon Cupra 300, tested here in five-door form.

The increase in output is modest, just 10hp, but, significantly, it takes the Cupra’s total output up to, yes, you’ve guessed it, 300.

Torque has also been given a boost, rising by 22lbft to 280, and is channelled through either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Inside there’s a larger touchscreen and wireless phone charging, but the sombre ambience remains, The cabin is dominated by blacks and greys, with the only highlight some rather suspect carbonfibre-patterned fabric. Seat have also neglected to hide away some cheap-feeling plastics in hard-to-reach plastics.

The clues to its performance potential are subtle, with 19in alloy wheels filling the arches, more aggressively-styled bumpers and twin exhausts being the only hints. Seat have avoided adding any wild appendages favoured among the boy-racer brigade and, instead, produced a very quick car that, to those not in the know, looks by and large like any other Leon.

That subtlety extends to the driving experience where the Cupra delivers a delightfully compliant ride with the suspension left in Comfort mode. It remains firm, and rough surfaces won’t go unnoticed, but there are no sharp edges.

The engine pulls easily from low down the rev range and, should you be in the mood for it, can provide relaxing transportation and, even over longer journeys the level of refinement is such that undertaking longer expeditions will hold no fears.

Floor the throttle, however, and things change very rapidly, a bit like your forward momentum. The Cupra will accelerate hard enough to pin you in your seat while the slick gearchange ensures smooth progress as you swap cogs and send the speed soaring.

The traction control can be a little intrusive, suggesting that maybe there’s a little more power than the chassis can handle. Even when it’s switched off it still insists of having its say every now and then, especially in first and second when it’s all too easy to spin the Cupra’s front wheels.

There’s copious amounts of grip to be exploited once you’ve acclimatised to the standard fit Progressive steering system that increases the ratio the more lock you apply. It’s very handy when you’re manoeuvring in tight spaces but there’s a noticeable lack of feedback out on the open road.

The adaptive dampers have three modes – Comfort, Sport and Cupra – but there’s very little to be gained by opting for anything other than the softest of the three settings, the other two are largely wasted on anything other than the smoothest of surfaces.

The Cupra is a very capable automobile and its ability to serve both as a comfortable long-distance cruiser and fulfil its remit as a hot hatch will only broaden its appeal. It isn’t as hard-edged, nor as focused, as some of its rivals with a slightly restrained character, matched by its understated looks, but it will almost certainly be more than enough car for most.

SEAT Leon 5dr CUPRA 300 2.0 TSI 300 PS 6-speed DSG-auto

Price: £31,805

As tested: £34,635

Engine: 2.0-litre TSI

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Power: 300PS @ 5,500 - 6,200 rpm

Max torque: 380Nm @ 1,800 - 5,500

Max speed: 155 mph

Acceleration: 0-62 mph 5.9 seconds

Urban: 31.4mpg

Extra urban: 49.6mpg

Combined: 40.9 mpg

Emissions (CO2): 156g/km

For more information visit www.seat.co.uk