RE: SEAT Leon Cupra 280: PH Fleet
Thursday 14th August 2014
Confession time. I've not actually driven the Leon for just over a week now. Dan 'had to borrow' it and there have been a couple of other cars to drive recently. Has it been missed?
There's a lairy side!Hmm. It's too early in the relationship to really feel like I've bonded with it properly but I'm certainly looking forward to driving the Cupra again. It may look sensible (and yes, I'm still a fan of its appearance) but the way it chomps down a road is quite naughty indeed. Not unruly or wayward but just very, very brisk.
No, yellow still isn't availableThe sensation from the XDS differential lock is what feels most familiar in both, although of course more immediate in the racing car. Being able to deploy so much torque (the Cupra's 258lb ft torque peak runs from 1,750-5,600rpm) so much of the time becomes addictive, even if it doesn't offer quite the incisiveness of a genuine limited-slip differential. With some holiday time back home in Suffolk later this month I'm really keen to get some more B-road miles in.
Orange smileys for the Gulf effect?All this is a bit of a shame given 'our' Leon is fitted with the 'SEAT Sound System' as one of the options. For £250 there are two additional speakers (ten in total), a 135W six-channel amp and, in true Max Power spirit, a boot-mounted sub. As someone who religiously listens to Annie Mac's Friday night show on Radio 1 (judge me as you will; I also enjoy The News Quiz or The Now Show beforehand) it has been appreciated recently. I'll get the expert opinion of a What Hi-Fi? bod soon.
SEAT Leon Cupra 280: PH Fleet
Two tough tests in the Leon's first month, and there should be more coming too
There's a lairy side!
The Bedford comparison with the Megane 275 was intriguing. I won't regurgitate everything from that test but it was nice to see the SEAT hold its own. And to discover the outer limits of the ESC's 'off' setting. Personally the Megane's more focused nature appeals more but as a hot hatch package the SEAT is just so competent. That does mean the highs aren't quite as scintillating but then neither are the lows as frustrating as in the Renault. Then the argument of course becomes whether viceless means characterless. One to monitor for sure.
The only 'proper' road drive I've had so far is to and from Silverstone for the Leon Cup Racer, er, experience. It would have been very poetic to note some tangible links given there are a few similarities but even as a road car-derived racer the Cup car felt worlds apart. Distantly related perhaps, but in the same way Phil Taylor and Yohan Blake are sportsmen.
No, yellow still isn't available
If there's one thing assured with a VW Group long-termer it's faultless tech, surely? Yeah. Though pairing an iPhone for calls has been fine there has sometimes been issues playing music through Bluetooth and 'not compatible' messages on the phone when plugged in. Curious. Now of course having said that it will be faultless in future.
Orange smileys for the Gulf effect?
And as a final point which will probably continue, there's a fresh opinion on the colour. This month? "It would probably look really cute on a Fiat 500 or something like that". Brilliant.
FACT SHEET
Car: SEAT Leon Cupra 280
Run by: Matt
On fleet since: July 2014
Mileage: 1,476
List price new: £26,945 before options (£29,650 as tested, comprising Leather Pack with Winter Pack £755, Driver Assist Pack including high beam and lane assist £295, Safety Pack £115, SEAT Sound System £250, Adaptive Cruise Control and front assist £500, space saver £95 and Dynamic custom paint £695).
Last month at a glance: Cupra copes admirably with comparisons against its hot hatch nemesis and motorsport compatriot
Previous reports:
A 280hp Leon arrives, all discussion is on the damn paint
[Pics: Tom Begley]
Discussion
For the money + a bit more I got an S3. Sure people are going to say it's boring and emotionless but in my opinion it's point and shoot, great fun.
I'd love a CSL or GT3 RS but they are neither within budget or...well that's it.
Time will tell with this but I'm not sold on the quality, it really doesn't strike me as a 30k car.
I'd love a CSL or GT3 RS but they are neither within budget or...well that's it.
Time will tell with this but I'm not sold on the quality, it really doesn't strike me as a 30k car.
Neuroflips said:
What a lethally dull looking, super expensive hatchback. Who the F buys these things new? Anyone? You will NEVER sell me on these, so far removed from a hot hatch it's not funny.
True you don't see many new Cupras on the road but there is a long waiting time on orders. Mine arrived a few weeks ago, part of the appeal was the fact that a) it doesn't look like it was finished by Halfords so attracts little attention and b) it's better value than the VW equivalent (although I can understand why somebody would choose a Golf R or GTI, both great cars). Guess hot hatch is a subjective view, mine definitely has 5 doors and enough grunt to keep me happy.When you actually spec one up you can see the sense it makes against a Golf GTI with the performance pack or even the R/S3 which can get very expensive with desirable options. For me the biggest problem is the choice of colours which is basically silver, white-ish silver, white or orangey red. FFS Seat you can't offer dull colours and a dull interior and expect people to buy them. I think this is a classic case of VW telling Seat they can't make their car too good. Shame, but then you don't make $16bn annual profit by offering the customer great value for money.
The more i see this car, the more it makes such good sense.
I'm borrowing one for the weekend next week so will get to make a proper decision from there but it looks and sounds great, and if it drives anywhere near as good as the reviews i'll be very happy!
I don't understand people who say its not a hot hatch.. 280hp and a sporty setup certainly seems like a hot hatch to me - the stats dont exactly make it slow, although i admit it is pretty lardy.
I'm borrowing one for the weekend next week so will get to make a proper decision from there but it looks and sounds great, and if it drives anywhere near as good as the reviews i'll be very happy!
I don't understand people who say its not a hot hatch.. 280hp and a sporty setup certainly seems like a hot hatch to me - the stats dont exactly make it slow, although i admit it is pretty lardy.
The option pricing on these seems quite reasonable. Leather with winter pack at £750 is a bargain compared to £1,950 on a Golf R - much profit margin in that you think?
Lane assist in the Golf R is £950 and High Beam Assist is £140. You get both for £295 in the Leon. As they exactly the same components, that price difference is incredible!
Lane assist in the Golf R is £950 and High Beam Assist is £140. You get both for £295 in the Leon. As they exactly the same components, that price difference is incredible!
mcbook said:
The option pricing on these seems quite reasonable. Leather with winter pack at £750 is a bargain compared to £1,950 on a Golf R - much profit margin in that you think?
Lane assist in the Golf R is £950 and High Beam Assist is £140. You get both for £295 in the Leon. As they exactly the same components, that price difference is incredible!
I know what you mean but sometimes its not about just money, i bought a Golf GTI with performance pack, leather, dynaudio etc because it did what i wanted it to do and i liked it, it was more expensive than other things but i could afford it so price wasn't the most important thing.Lane assist in the Golf R is £950 and High Beam Assist is £140. You get both for £295 in the Leon. As they exactly the same components, that price difference is incredible!
You can buy perfectly good shirts, shoes, trousers etc at Asda, they do the job they look ok but in reality most of us spend more than we need to because its what we like and we don't care if someone is making more profit that someone else...
chrisemersons said:
I know what you mean but sometimes its not about just money, i bought a Golf GTI with performance pack, leather, dynaudio etc because it did what i wanted it to do and i liked it, it was more expensive than other things but i could afford it so price wasn't the most important thing.
You can buy perfectly good shirts, shoes, trousers etc at Asda, they do the job they look ok but in reality most of us spend more than we need to because its what we like and we don't care if someone is making more profit that someone else...
I get your point and in reality I would be buying the Golf too. However, taking your example, when you walk into Hugo Boss you're not going to see the same shirts they have for sale in Asda. But in the Seat, the lane assist and highbeam assist will be exactly the same as in the VW.You can buy perfectly good shirts, shoes, trousers etc at Asda, they do the job they look ok but in reality most of us spend more than we need to because its what we like and we don't care if someone is making more profit that someone else...
I see potential for a psychology experiment...
mcbook said:
I get your point and in reality I would be buying the Golf too. However, taking your example, when you walk into Hugo Boss you're not going to see the same shirts they have for sale in Asda. But in the Seat, the lane assist and highbeam assist will be exactly the same as in the VW.
I see potential for a psychology experiment...
Haha yes definately, although i wasnt thinking Asda vs Hugo Boss maybe more Asda vs Next !I see potential for a psychology experiment...
Although in reality who really needs lane assist, if you cant see the white lines then thats a worry !
ManOpener said:
I can only speak for myself, but the interior on the current Leon is far more attractive than that on the Mk7 Golf and the car itself looks much better to my eye, and there's nothing "cheap" compared to the Golf about the oily bits.
Having had a Mk5 Golf I was quite disappointed when I sat in the Mk7. It was the Golf R that I was viewing and the centre console was made of the most hideous "piano" black plastic that looked as if it would scratch very easily. ManOpener said:
I can only speak for myself, but the interior on the current Leon is far more attractive than that on the Mk7 Golf and the car itself looks much better to my eye, and there's nothing "cheap" compared to the Golf about the oily bits.
Personal preference i guess, i think the Golf GTI interior is much nicer than the Leon - i just prefer the detail bits on the Golf, but i agree that piano black on the R looks a bit naff - having come from a dull as dishwater BMW interior the Golf is amazing !ManOpener said:
I can only speak for myself, but the interior on the current Leon is far more attractive than that on the Mk7 Golf and the car itself looks much better to my eye, and there's nothing "cheap" compared to the Golf about the oily bits.
Have you sat in the Cupra? I haven't and the nearest dealer with one to look at is somewhere near the North Pole so too far for me to be bothered. From what I've seen it's better, though gloomier than the previous model. Functional and vaguely stylish I guess. I just want a bit of colour I suppose. That isn't too much to ask. Shirley? SonicHedgeHog said:
ManOpener said:
I can only speak for myself, but the interior on the current Leon is far more attractive than that on the Mk7 Golf and the car itself looks much better to my eye, and there's nothing "cheap" compared to the Golf about the oily bits.
Have you sat in the Cupra? I haven't and the nearest dealer with one to look at is somewhere near the North Pole so too far for me to be bothered. From what I've seen it's better, though gloomier than the previous model. Functional and vaguely stylish I guess. I just want a bit of colour I suppose. That isn't too much to ask. Shirley? Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff