Super Hatch to Super Saloon

Super Hatch to Super Saloon

Author
Discussion

Harrison-91xcg

Original Poster:

291 posts

100 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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Hi guys

I'm seriously contemplating going from a MK3 Cupra to a MK1 XFR. The main reason.. I've not owned a big V8!

I'm a bit worried I'll regret the decision as despite the allure of the sound and power of a supercharged V8, the XFR is over 500KG heavier which I think will drop it down a level on the all important roads. In a line there also doesn't appear to be much in the 100-200 times if I were to remap the Cupra.

Does anyone have similar experience of going from the current crop of modern super hatchs to E63s, M5s etc ?

Glenn63

2,732 posts

83 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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I went Impreza sti to c63. C63 didn’t ‘feel’ much quicker being na and much quieter and comfortable inside but it was quick when up and on it in the revs. Miles better all round car though and glad I ticket the big v8, also still want another. For a B road blast the Sti for 99% of the rest of the time the c63. C63 was also fun just burbling around town listening to that engine.

Shifter1

1,078 posts

90 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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I'm sorry, I'm not sure I get your question. You're worried about speed? If so, neither car is made for that, so not much point in my view. If speed and performance is the brief, a FWD economy family car based hatchback or a barge is not it.

But regardless of weight, speed and numbers, I know which one I would choose between a glorified Golf with a few exotic coloured plastic bits glued on or a RWD V8. smile

I find it really interesting how people really bought into the whole Cupra thing. When it started out I was sure that nobody would see more in them than what they actually are, a Seat with plastic bits, which in turn is just another disguised VW. But I guess I was wrong.

Shifter1

1,078 posts

90 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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I had never heard the term super hatch before. Is this really a thing? If so, shouldn't a superhatch be something like if Ferrari decide the Purosangue needed a small hatch companion and made that?

bencollins4

1,091 posts

205 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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Harrison-91xcg said:
Hi guys

I'm seriously contemplating going from a MK3 Cupra to a MK1 XFR. The main reason.. I've not owned a big V8!

I'm a bit worried I'll regret the decision as despite the allure of the sound and power of a supercharged V8, the XFR is over 500KG heavier which I think will drop it down a level on the all important roads. In a line there also doesn't appear to be much in the 100-200 times if I were to remap the Cupra.

Does anyone have similar experience of going from the current crop of modern super hatchs to E63s, M5s etc ?
Where are you going ‘100 - 200’ exactly?! No, it won’t be hugely faster than the Cupra at normal road speeds but you will feel the extra weight (and extra fuel use, if that matters to you).

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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Maybe the OP means KMH.

MadsMan

28 posts

13 months

Tuesday 21st March 2023
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I had an A45 (third generation, facelift) and now have a W204 C63 estate with various cars in between.

I love both for different reasons, so it depends what you like in a car.

I also don't think my experience will necessarily relate to the two cars you are talking about either!

coldel

7,733 posts

145 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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Shifter1 said:
I'm sorry, I'm not sure I get your question. You're worried about speed? If so, neither car is made for that, so not much point in my view. If speed and performance is the brief, a FWD economy family car based hatchback or a barge is not it.

But regardless of weight, speed and numbers, I know which one I would choose between a glorified Golf with a few exotic coloured plastic bits glued on or a RWD V8. smile

I find it really interesting how people really bought into the whole Cupra thing. When it started out I was sure that nobody would see more in them than what they actually are, a Seat with plastic bits, which in turn is just another disguised VW. But I guess I was wrong.
To be fair, the XFR is an absolute missile for a 'barge' the face lift is 500bhp and does the sprint in under 5 seconds. Saw someone on YT drive one back to back with the equivalent XKR and they said handling wise the XFR was excellent and really surprised him how usable it was. For the money, its utterly bonkers how quick it is and was on par performance wise to the equivalent M5 of the time.

J1990

791 posts

52 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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Did you honestly just call a MK3 Cupra a 'super hatch'? Hasn't it got the same 296bhp as the Golf R? It might not be a slow but it's a huge leap down from A45S and still even less bhp than the A35...

I think an XFR would be a lovely place to be, in fact I'm really wanting to go to an even bigger barge with an XJR but need the OH to sign off on it and I don't see that happening, unfortunately. Unless you're doing track days I really don't think there would be anything to regret about moving from the Cupra Leon to an XFR, if you're wanting to put it on a track then maybe lay out the rest of your criteria and people may have some valuable suggestions.

coldel

7,733 posts

145 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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...it could be the OP is just using Super as a play on words to make for an interesting thread title - who knows.

But yes 300bhp in a hatch nowadays is pretty warm/hot rather than anything amazingly fast. My 25 year old Celica GT4 had that much power!

iphonedyou

9,234 posts

156 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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Must admit, never thought of the Cupra as a 'super hatch' either.

confused

Shifter1

1,078 posts

90 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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As I said, I never even knew there was such thing as a super hatch. Not even super saloon you hear much anymore.

ajguk

316 posts

71 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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I think VED on the XFR is about to go from £615 to £675. I'm seriously thinking about one but was a bit put off by some threads in the Jag forum. Huge amount of car for the money though!

NortonES2

290 posts

47 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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ajguk said:
I'm seriously thinking about one but was a bit put off by some threads in the Jag forum. Huge amount of car for the money though!
Not many owners post to say that they've had no issues though.

ajguk

316 posts

71 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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NortonES2 said:

Not many owners post to say that they've had no issues though.
Very true. So in other words, I should go for it...? smile

These are very tempting. Or I'm considering going for an XE or XF-S with the 3L Supercharged engine. A few years newer and cheaper to run but higher initial outlay. But then I keep thinking life's short, get a V8!

Novexx

346 posts

73 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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For as long as I can remember I've been switching between 4 pot hot hatch & 6 or 8 pot hot-ish saloons & still can't decide which I prefer. 4 pot hatches are quick & nimble, but lack character (sound) & toys. 6/8 pot saloons are quick but heavy, full of character & toys.

After having a hatch for a while I start to find the engine sound mind numbing, after having a saloon for a while I start to find the weight mind numbing.

I think if I was driving mainly motorway / good A road I would settle with a larger saloon, but if it was mainly crap A & B's, 100% hatch.

ajguk

316 posts

71 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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Well I've got a 6 cylinder Z4 which is nimble-ish (it's no Elise but I like it), so I'd like something bigger and more comfortable for daily or longer journeys. But that doesn't have to mean slow either, I think that would just frustrate. Anyway need to probably start my own thread instead of hijacking OP's!

Brett748

919 posts

165 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2023
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For me, a big V8 is the ideal way to get around on a modest budget.

I’ve had a series of hot hatches previously but my W204 C63 is a keeper.

People go on about fuel economy but mine running 520bhp averages 21mpg long term. I have had hatches (and have a R53 MCS) which are barely any better.

On the big V8 saloons the engine dominates and they aren’t track toys, even though mine did well at Donington when I took it. What they are is great road cars at all speeds.

A trip to Morrisons is as exciting as a B Road blast.

jdoubleu

308 posts

47 months

Thursday 23rd March 2023
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iphonedyou said:
Must admit, never thought of the Cupra as a 'super hatch' either.

confused
Fairly sure they are using it to just mean quick.

SWoll

18,206 posts

257 months

Thursday 23rd March 2023
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jdoubleu said:
iphonedyou said:
Must admit, never thought of the Cupra as a 'super hatch' either.

confused
Fairly sure they are using it to just mean quick.
I'd assume it's in reference to stuff like the A45S, RS3 etc. that have performance equivalent to a supercar (<4 second 0-60 etc.) and sit in the tier above above what would be considered a "hot hatch"

Wouldn't class a Cupra in that group though.