Nothing like a bit of corporate arrogance to stoke up a rivalry, correct? Here's SEAT's view on the new
Leon ST Cupra 280
: "SEAT's latest model can lay claim to having arguably no direct hot estate rival for the money. On paper, its closest mass market competitor is the
Ford Focus ST-3
. However, not only is it outgunned by 30hp in the performance stakes, the Blue Oval's challenger also comes with significantly less equipment." Miaow.
Repeat after me: not a rival, not a rival, not a...
We'll be sure to test that soon with both cars launched within weeks of each other over the next month. The news today of the SEAT is a UK price and specification. The sole 280 model offered here will cost from £28,505 as a manual and £29,860 with the DSG 'box, both representing a £995 jump over the equivalent hatch as expected.
Amusingly the Performance Pack really is available on the estate and is being marketed as the 'Sub8 Performance Pack'. Sounds like a challenge... Don't forget to budget £460 for Pilot Sport Cup 2s for a proper 'ring warrior. Then there are the Black-, Orange- and White-Line packs at £500 and the bucket seats at £1,250.
Could be an interesting estate spec!
With the Performance Pack and the tyres, a manual Leon estate (the 'ring record car wasn't DSG, remember) would be £30,990. Let's hope someone specs one this way, with the orange wheels too just for full effect.
While SEAT may not think so, the VW Golf R estate will surely be a rival for the Cupra wagon. A five-door Golf R hatch is £30,805 and in the lower ranks of the Golf range the estate equivalent carries a £695 range. That would put a Golf R estate at £31,500, or near enough £3K beyond the SEAT. Full details expected on that soon. The SEAT is available to order now, we're driving it next month and the car will be at showrooms in March. If you can't wait until then to have a poke around, the Cupra will be at the Daily Telegraph Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show at the ExCel from 12-15 February.