No, it's still not yellow. No, the wheels still aren't particularly nice. And no, SEAT still won't stop going on about the Nurburgring. But none of this impacts on the
Leon Cupra
remaining a really very good hot hatch. It's just nobody seems to notice.
280
, or 290hp as in this latest car, the Leon remains an incredibly capable and likeable car in a class full of superb hot hatches. But for whatever reason, the third generation Cupra simply hasn't proved that popular. When did you last see one? It's a genuinely confusing situation. Too expensive? It's broadly competitive with everything else in the class. Too subtle? That doesn't appear to stop people buying fast Golfs. Lacking image then? Well the Cupra brand has established itself pretty well over the last 20 years in Britain. Those fans have surely not just vanished.
But we're not here to establish why Leon Cupras are not being sold. We here to see how well the latest Leon Cupra drives, and whether it still ranks highly in a sector that now includes that fast Ford and a Golf Clubsport that seems to tread rather uncomfortably on the Leon's toes.
Still on the subtle side of hot hatch silliness
A quick reminder of the Leon Cupra 290's vitals then because, well, there's not a lot to go over. Power is officially rated at 290hp rather than 280, a sports exhaust delivering "an even more rewarding driving experience" is standard and SEAT's 'Full Link' - including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - is also fitted. Other than that, it's as before, besides the undisclosed tweaks here and there that manufacturers always do during a model's lifecycle. So it's the same pair of gearbox options, same
VAQ 'limited-slip diff'
and same three-mode dampers.
The first experience of this updated Leon is, after a brief motorway cruise, on a closed stretch of road just outside Barcelona. Can you imagine the same happening for a press launch here? Astonishing.
The road is unlike anything you'll find the UK: smooth, fast, well-sighted and, er, marshalled. It even has a few narrow bridge crossings, for the full Rally Catalunya feel. Even in this very unrepresentative environment, the Leon is excellent. Can you identify the power difference? Hand on heart no, as 10hp is such a small gain. But then it was always a rapid car and still most definitely feels it, responding crisply and pulling strongly out of the slower bends in third gear. Or really ferociously in second, if you so wish. Perhaps the delivery is a little linear for real excitement, but there's no denying the effectiveness.
What's harder to accept is the relatively anodyne sports exhaust; it simply doesn't sound that inspiring, or indeed that different from previously. Listening from outside there's the occasional pop and crackle, but it's fairly undramatic. And from inside the noise is still dominated by the various intake tricks. Shame.
May look sensible, but heck is it fast
On an occasionally dusty surface, the VAQ diff can struggle. But when it gets chance to dig in, the experience is still extraordinary, the car finding purchase at full throttle where all reasonable logic - and the initial understeer - would suggest it wouldn't. It remains quite the party trick, and combined with decent body control and strong (if still slightly grabby) brakes, the Cupra is tremendous fun on the closed road.
That being said, what wouldn't be entertaining on an empty Spanish road with permission to drive as fast as you want? Exactly. Fortunately for the Leon, it's still as enjoyable when other users and those pesky traffic laws are introduced to a road. That torque - now available over a slightly wider rev range in fact - means overtaking is easy and the Cupra can also be left in one gear to string a series of corners together. If you really want to take it by the scruff and eke out every last bit, the manual 'box is good, if sometimes a little flaccid in its action. Certainly a Civic Type R has nothing to worry about in terms of manual gearbox satisfaction from the SEAT.
There's also chance to drive a Performance Pack car, one with the tyre and brake upgrades but one step down from the armrest-less, stereo depleted Ultimate car. For the majority of Leon Cupra customers, it has to be ticked on the options list. It makes what is a quick car across ground into a heroically rapid one, the combination of the Brembo brakes and Cup 2 tyres giving so much confidence into, through and out of a corner. They really give that 'diff' a chance to shine too, even if the effects of the upgrades didn't feel quite as pronounced as in the UK. It's not the most engaging process either, the drive much more about trusting the front end's innate ability rather than sensing grip limits through the steering or building up the diff through left-foot braking. Because that kills all the power. When it all comes together though, when you stand impossibly late on the brakes, dive into a bend, jump on the throttle and get hurled out the other side, it's certainly one of the more amusing driving experiences. It's brilliant fun, in fact.
Not that different, but still very good
Sadly this took up all the time allocated for the testing the Full Link infotainment system. If it's anything like the excellent system in the
Ibiza
then it's a worthwhile addition. Hopefully you can understand the change in priorities.
It's easy to understand why SEAT has launched this Cupra 290; it may cite 20 years of Cupra as the main reason but you'd have to hope for a more definitive celebration than a mild power upgrade and new infotainment system. We'll see what comes later in the year on that score.
Instead this car is a reminder to hot hatch fans that the Leon Cupra still exists and that it's absolutely competitive in a fiercely contested class. It may not thrill quite like a Megane, boast the outright speed of a Civic or have the car of the moment desirability of the Focus, but the SEAT should not be discounted. It's stylish, fast, dynamically sorted and great value. Just like the 280 was, surprisingly enough. The updated Cupra should definitely be on your hot hatch shortlist, as should a pre-facelift car if a good deal can be had...
SEAT LEON CUPRA 290
Engine: 1,984cc, four-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 290@5,900-6,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@1,700-5,800rpm
0-62mph: 5.8sec (5.7sec)
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,395kg (1,421kg) [with driver]
MPG: 42.2 (42.8, NEDC combined)
CO2: 156g/km (154g/km)
Price: £28,375 (£29,730)
[Figures quoted in brackets for DSG]
