Oh SEAT, what has happened? Only yesterday we were pondering its offer of a long-term fleet car, only for a flick through the back pages of Autocar to reveal very, very slim pickings.
Ibiza Cupra
? Not bad, but a bit behind the current hot hatch crop. Smart new Leon perhaps? Fastest version is a 184hp diesel. And would you want to read about life with a Mii, Toledo or Alhambra?
Who doesn't love a centre-exit exhaust?
Then today it announces 'the most extreme
production Leon ever
' has 110hp. Because it's an extreme 'environmental performer' with a claimed 85.6mpg. Oh joy.
Where did the auto emocion go? Sure, the first gen Leon Cupra and Cupra R weren't the most tactile of hatches, but they were quick, cheap and looked great. Eminently tuneable too, as the wealth of hopped up cars in the classifieds show. Five thousand pounds now buys you one of the best BAM-engined 225hp cars.
But the attention here is focused on the Mk2 Leon, the one with the unfortunately MPV-esque styling. The search for a 265hp Cupra R proved fruitless, the only available car having been subjected to a couple of tweaks.
Black certainly the dominant colour here!
So here's a regular 240hp Cupra, equipped with the K1 bodykit. Looks a bit like a touring car, doesn't it? SEAT won two WTCC title with diesel Leons not so long ago, and enjoyed some success in the BTCC too. Heck, it even won some races with a Toledo.
Anyway, enough nostalgia, to the car. Black on black works quite well to disguise the high-roofed design, and even looks slightly menacing from some angles. Almost. This dealer car is being sold with 12 month's MOT, a full SEAT service history and a warranty. If you're after a standard Leon Cupra, this is probably one of the best available.
But do you really want one? There are certainly encouraging reports. Comments such as 'unshakeable composure, 'powerful brakes' and 'great engine' are good to hear, even if they are slightly undermined by a hard ride and a slightly prescriptive handling balance.
Bring on the next one please SEAT!
Perhaps the Leon's biggest problem isn't the quality of its own talents, more the fantastic competition it faced at the time and now on the used market. £12K buys an awful lot of
Focus ST
Golf GTI
Megane RS
As something a little bit different with proven mechanicals though, is still a really good hot hatch. And that's what swift SEATs should be all about, right? Bring on the next Cupra ASAP please SEAT. We really want to like it, honest!
SEAT LEON CUPRA
Engine: 1,984cc 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 240@5,700-6,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 221@2,200-5,500rpm
MPG: 34 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 199g/km
Recorded mileage: 53,927
First registered: 2009
Price new: £19,695
Yours for: £12,250
See the original advert here