Wednesday 30th July 2014

Megane 275 Trophy vs Leon Cupra 280

Enough about the 'ring already; PH pits Megane Trophy against Leon Cupra on UK soil

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Lord be praised; an opportunity has arisen to compare the Megane 275 Trophy and LeonCupra 280 without reference to lap times around That German Racetrack. Other than the one just made there.

A bit of Bedfordshire B-road included in test

It's quite liberating actually. For all those reckoning the 'ring laps were an irrelevance obscured by marketing smoke and mirrors (and possibly a bit of cheeky engineering'prep'on the side) we've got a chance to drive the two back to back somewhere owners may well do the same. So we've got Bedford Autodrome - your classic track day venue - and the conveniently close-by B660 for the essential B-road blast.

In the Spanish corner we've got Matt's PH Fleet SEAT, a three-door 280 with a manual gearbox and the standard electronically adjustable dampers and active VAQ 'diff'. You can also get the three-door in 265hp form - matching the non-Trophy Megane's baseline horsepower figure - while five-door Cupras are all 280s. Unlike the Renault there's the option of an automated dual-clutch too on all 280s. Base price of a manual Leon like this is £26,945, Matt's car coming in at £29,965 thanks to a bunch of adaptive this and assist that fripperies. See his PH Fleet intro for the full breakdown but none of the extras applied actually have any bearing on the way the car drives. Once you turn them all off at least.

Summer downpour made track 'interesting'

Not quite the same can be said of the Megane. Philosophically fromage to the SEAT's chalk, it's the (whisper it) analogue alternative to the SEAT's digitally enhanced delights with its mechanical limited-slip diff and passive dampers. Much of the fuss about the Trophy's dynamic ability centres on the optional Ohlins dampers and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres ... neither of which are fitted to our test car.

Before options the Trophy costs nearly two grand more than the SEAT at £28,930 and as tested it's a burly £31,325, though after options the gap closes to just £60. Opt for the full package of 5kg lighter Speedline Turini 19-inch wheels (£1,000), Ohlins package (£2,000) and the Cup 2 tyres (£1,000) and the Megane is well into Golf R and Audi S3 territory. Cue forum outrage at the temerity of Renault to charge more than £30K for a Megane... In fairness the Trophy spec does include most of the goodies you'd want, including a standard Akrapovic exhaust, the desirable Recaro seats and the stiffer Cup chassis with the LSD.

It's a battle for hot hatch heart and soul!

Even in that context the SEAT is looking like something of a bargain but, of course, to unlock its full track potential you'll need the as-yet unconfirmed performance pack with the bigger Brembo brakes and Cup 2 tyres. Add DSG and the Leon will be well over £30K too. But as it stands the comparison between these two particular cars - effectively in their 'base' mechanical specs without the extras required to achieve those lap times - is a fair one.

Stage set it's time to drive them and see how they really compare...

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SEAT LEON CUPRA SC 280
Engine: 1,984cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual (6-speed DSG optional), front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@ 5,700-6,200rpm (265@5,350-6,600rpm)*
Torque (lb ft): 258@1,750-5,600rpm (258@1,750-5,300rpm)*
0-62mph: 5.8 (5.9)*
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,375kg
MPG: 44.1 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 149g/km
Price: £26,940 (£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).

*Figures for the 265, where different, in brackets. DSG only available on the 280 - 0-62mph reduced by a tenth and MPG to 42.2 as well as adding 20kg, 6g/km and £1,285.

MEGANE RENAULTSPORT 275 TROPHY
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, mechanical limited-slip differential, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 275@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 265@3,000-5,000rpm
0-62mph: 6.0 sec
Top speed: 158mph
Weight: 1,376kg
MPG: 37.7mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 174g/km
Price: £28,930 (£31,325 as tested, comprising 19-inch Speedline Turini wheels/Bridgestone RE050A tyres £1,000, Liquid Yellow paint £1,300 and emergency spare wheel £95)

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Introduction and comments
Megane Renaultsport 275 Trophy
SEAT Leon Cupra 280
Verdict

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Photos: Tom Begley

[Dan Trent]

Before we get into the '£30K for a Megane?!!!!' or 'You could have an M135 for that...' stuff if you've got a view on how we present these multi-car tests I've set up a poll in website feedback - click here and let us know your views.

Cheers!

Dan

[Dan Trent]

Vee12V said:

WCZ said:

you tested the megane trophy without the trophy dampers? :/

it's beyond me why anyone would buy that car without speccing them

Exactly.

It was surprising and a disappointment that the press car turned up without them to be honest but apparently they won't actually be on cars before October. The car we drove at the 'ring on the launch event did have them though and they felt mega - I think I described them as 'pillowy' and they have a much more controlled feel to them. Stock items are very good but the Ohlins are in a different league, which is why they cost as much as they do.

Soon as we can get one to test in the UK we'll book it in of course...

Cheers!

Dan

[Dan Trent]

Dblue said:

I understand why PH,CAR and EVO all plump for the Golf R (Or this SEAT )because its close enough on a track or B road and better at the mundane.

Not sure we do!

Your car sounds like it'll be great too, great spec.

Cheers,

Dan

[Dan Trent]

Credit due, it took longer for the M135i to surface than I thought it would!

The Ohlins dampers are a £2,000 option too, FWIW.

Cheers,

Dan

[Dan Trent]

Dblue said:

If you want the best drivers car in this class there is a clear and obvious choice to make. Considerations about day to day practicality, equipment levels and the quality of the plastics should surely, for the enthusiasts among us, come lower than its ability to put a huge grin on your face as you take apart your favourite back road on a sunday morning.

Absolutely agreed!

Dan