Seat Leon Cupra R | Spotted
Cupra has yet to deliver a proper hot hatch - maybe the old days can provide some inspiration...
Credit where it’s due to Cupra, it’s going great guns at the moment. As the fastest growing car brand in Europe it’s actually got VW questioning what to do with SEAT now - there was some discussion about transitioning it into a mobility solutions provider a few weeks back. That’s on top of building cars like the Born, which makes life harder for the VW equivalent than any old SEAT did, as well as selling what appears to be 300,000 Formentors in the UK. They’re everywhere. With the Tavascan on the way.
But even with all that going for Cupra (plus a decent motorsport presence and cool concepts) there's not really been anything to get enthusiasts’ blood pumping. There were rumours of a few five-cyliner Formentors coming here, which amounted to just 10 cars, the Born is better than ID 3 but far from exciting, and the Cupra Leon struggles to justify its premium over the old model. There’s hope, of course - if little to show for it at the moment. But the haters should look where the brand was five years ago. They move quickly in Barcelona…
Once upon a time, the Cupra SEATs were virtually hot hatch royalty. Not perhaps as deft or as sophisticated as the very best driving pocket rockets, but fast, fun, stylish and great value - far more than half the battle won. There was some motorsport success to celebrate, too, those 16v Ibizas of the mid-1990s paying tribute to F2 rally wins. Which is always cool.
It was with the original Leon Cupra, however (once the name had changed from 20VT) that the SEAT hot hatch really came good. Yes, the interior was plain and there was a Golf buried underneath somewhere, but it was cheaper than a GTI, more stylish than anything with five doors had a right to be, and capable of more than 140mph - result. SEAT twigged it was onto a good thing, adding a 210hp Cupra R a couple of years later and finishing up the first generation of racy Leons with a 225hp R from 2002. Despite the the badge having continued in the Leon lineup in the 20 years since, memorably with the most recent Cupra R, it is arguable that none made quite the impact of the very first.
Today, as with so much else, it’s tricky to find a really good 225hp car. They weren’t quite of the calibre (or following) of alternatives like the Golf R32, 147 GTA and Focus RS, not a hot hatch to keep for best or scurry away to preserve. Or lavish love on when they became cheap to buy. There are plenty of Cupra Rs still around, it seems, though many looked to have lived a life.
A few gems remain, however, like this one. A red example from 2003, it is yet to pass 30,000 miles - honest. It has never failed an MOT since 2006, with its first advisory not until 2011 and clean-as-a-whistle passes in the last four tests. The ad suggests the history is ‘superb’, too.
Definitely looks great from here - the Leon has aged brilliantly, with the condition of wheels and paint a real testament to previous owners. It’ll definitely still draw a few admiring glances in 2023, which is appropriate when you consider that an asking price of £15k is top money for one of these. And while Cupra probably doesn’t have the brand cachet of something like the VQ Golf GTI, the good old days will still be remembered by a passionate few - this Leon only needs one of them to continue its story.
SPECIFICATION | SEAT LEON CUPRA R
Engine: 1,781cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 225@5,900rpm
Torque (lb ft): 207@2,200-5,500rpm
MPG: 32.5
CO2: 211g/km
First registered: 2003
Recorded mileage: 29,707
Price new: £16,995 (2002)
Yours for: £14,995
This Cupra R looks amazing, strong money but surely is worth every penny? I haven't seen one on the road for ages and in this condition I would be tempted if I could.
They do seem to have lost their way recently though.
Leons and Ibizas used to be great value for money and two a penny
I loved my Cupra R. FN53EHE where are you now I wonder?
Whilst it was a quick car (especially for the time), it’s party piece was stopping. Those brembo 4-pots up front did a wonderful job of slowing the thing down, and even coped well on track.
Back in 04 My mate had a black one of these new, I went EP3 as couldn't quite stretch to the cost ....great times.
They do seem to have lost their way recently though.
Leons and Ibizas used to be great value for money and two a penny
VW chimped up with both brands effectively crossing over one another as value for money when one of them should have had a sporty, Alfa Romeo type, brand kudos. No reason that couldn't have been Skoda, just all the press at the time referred to SEAT as VWs Alfa.
Seems way overpriced to me, whilst they have never been shed money, £3k plus
Mk5/mk6 Golf or a later Cupra FR would be a much better choice, the 1.8 20V engine is old hat now.
It does not seem that long ago I looked at a really tidy one for £4k with sensible mileage.
Is it really that special a car that someone would pay £15k for it, I cannot see it, I would say £6k to £8k tops
Great cars, reasonably nippy, massively practical. Mine had the recaro seats which were wonderfully comfortable.
However lots of niggles. Leaky rocker cover, leaky door seals, splits in the pcv system all over the place, ARBs made of cheese, leaky boot, lacquer burn one the bonnet above the turbo, drank oil, failed turbo gasket, split intake pipe and of course the worn leather on the steering wheel and gear knob (shows red under the original black)
They do seem to have lost their way recently though.
Leons and Ibizas used to be great value for money and two a penny
VW chimped up with both brands effectively crossing over one another as value for money when one of them should have had a sporty, Alfa Romeo type, brand kudos. No reason that couldn't have been Skoda, just all the press at the time referred to SEAT as VWs Alfa.
As for this actual car - it seems really strong money to me. In my head Cupra versions were VWs but slightly hotter and better value for money and that doesn't compute with 15k now. That's my problem though and I can certainly see the appeal.
Brought my eldest daughter home from the hospital in it (slowest drive ever) and then soon after part exed it for a C-Max. Effectively for more than I originally paid for it due to the discounting on it and the Ford (man maths!). I then by chance saw it locally a few years later completely shagged with a chav behind the wheel, a phat exhaust and lowered to the floor. Poor thing 😢
Back when these were on sale it really was a great time for hot hatch buyers; maybe the best years ever. We really were spoil for choice. Loads of great options from different companies, all with their own personalities.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15667666
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/blog/seat-leon-cu...
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