New Leon Cupra reviewed in Telegraph (23rd December)

[warren_cox]

Generally a sound review. They compared it to the Astra VXR and said it showed the same power characteristics without any of the torque steer / now we're heading for a ditch syndrome. They also said the ride was better than the Leon FR as the Cupra's springs were softer and the anti roll bars were thinner?!?!?!?

The gripes they aired were around cheap interior plastics, and strangely the poor fuel economy - can't see it can be any worse than competitors with its FSi.

The final summation was its a good hot hatch, and thankfully the engineers got on the project before the marketing/accountants bods. By todays standards thats praise in itself as if the cost cutters don't manage to strangle the soul of out a drivers car the Euro Regs usually do.

 

[Ol' Timer]

They also said the ride was better than the Leon FR as the Cupra's springs were softer and the anti roll bars were thinner?!?!?!?

I think that is correct. It's to do with the use of aluminium in the suspension units to save weight.

From the Autocar review:
"Chassis changes amount to aluminium instead of cast steel for the steering knuckles and rear wishbone pressings, which saves 7.5kg of unsprung weight. The front anti-roll bar has been reduced in size too. It’s down from 23.6mm (diameter) x 3.5mm (wall thickness) to 22.5mm x 3mm."

From the 4 Car review:
"Its spring rates are actually softer than the less hardcore FR's, which sounds odd until you remember that the use of aluminium instead of steel in the steering and suspension componentry reduces the unsprung weight of the car."

 

[Chris20vT]

I also read the Telegraph road test and the write up was positive, I personally think its brilliant and I can honestly see it being my next car in a few years.

Road testers make me laugh commenting 'the fuel comsumption is poor'.....
Hang on, your road testing a new hot hatch are you going to drive it sensibly? Yeah right....and its a turbo petrol car?!?!? What do you expect 50+mpg!?!?