Zboyd & m0rk Test the Leon Cupra

RobM

Back from the dead...
Sep 27, 2006
4,982
3
Southampton
Excellent read! Nice one chaps :D

Surprised you didn't mention the ESP/TCS though (other than the summary at the end) as that seems to be the biggest bugbear of all the mag's that have reviewed it so far. How did you find it behaved on the road?
 

sportbilly

thinking out loud
Oct 8, 2001
2,386
0
in my car
Visit site
Nice report, very well written and seems pretty fair.

You can just see the colour of the black showing through on some of the photos'.

Opportunity for a short shifter then ;)
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
33
Clanfield, UK
the 'long' 2nd gear comment was in relation to how far you had to move the lever!

ESP works, TCS is a bit violent when it kicks in, but traction wasn't really an issue (only up a steep wet hill and only really when provoked)

I'd say a vast improvement over the LCR in dynamics & tractability. 5% faster cornering ability & 15% less body roll too
 

Ol' Timer

Full Member
Jun 20, 2004
873
2
Norfolk
Any idea how it was being received by other members of the press? Any sneering hacks kicking the tyres in disgust or were they jabbering on excitedly about the power and driver involvement?

Or were you too busy scoffing the free food to notice?:D
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
33
Clanfield, UK
free food was nice :)

mpg was sub 18mpg, but we did have a play.

We've already got loads of interior shots, and to be honest you really need a studio to get effective interior shots - but the interior os fine, except the gearknob.

I can't comment on the S3 though, as I've not driven one
 

P0LKR

Full Member
Nov 13, 2005
929
2
Newton Mortgage, Glasgow
free food was nice :)

mpg was sub 18mpg, but we did have a play.

We've already got loads of interior shots, and to be honest you really need a studio to get effective interior shots - but the interior os fine, except the gearknob.

I can't comment on the S3 though, as I've not driven one

what wre the other journos saying about it?
 

TallFella

Hello Tom, come down Tom
Nov 6, 2003
471
0
Bedfordshiria
Visit site
free food was nice :)

mpg was sub 18mpg, but we did have a play.

We've already got loads of interior shots, and to be honest you really need a studio to get effective interior shots - but the interior os fine, except the gearknob.

I can't comment on the S3 though, as I've not driven one

I can't imagine they have a seperate dash for each model in the line-up and if the dash of the ones I've been in are anything to go by, then they feel a little on the cheap side, which surprises me given that many of the "cheaper" manufacturers have upped their game?

Looks better in those photos then any others I've seen, but it just ticks too few boxes for me.

A-pillars are way too thick and obstructive for my liking, added to the fact that the screen is heavily raked - making the rear-view mirror take up a large part of the screen for someone my height, and forward vision is subsequently not great, especially nearside. With 240 hosses at one's disposal being able to see where you're going is probably a good idea.

Job well done though chaps, looks like you had a blast which is the main thing, and I'm sure plenty of Cupra's will find happy homes up and down the country.
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
33
Clanfield, UK
Not really sure what they thought, no doubt you'll be able to read their stuff once they've written it.

the rear view mirror is massive, but you do get used to it (but one about 2/3rds the size would be perfect
 

ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
9,468
15
Cheshire
www.seatcupra.net
Were the cars you drove the press cars that came into the UK a while back or have they just come in to the UK and are part of the 'pool' of 'spare' Cupra's?

Up until a few weeks ago, there was only one UK car. The one they used at the London motorshow last July and subsequently showed off at Autosport in January.

All the press cars at the venue yesterday are from the first delivery batch, they are the standard £19595 spec, they had no options.

Dealers will over the coming week or so, be taking delivery of their demo cars, most of which will likely be yellow, as that is the 'launch' colour. The official launch weekend takes place the 3rd - 4th March. Check with your local dealer for further info. (we know some dealers may have them, or get them earlier than March 1st, but this is the official line).
 

ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
9,468
15
Cheshire
www.seatcupra.net
So I guess Z is happy with his purchase and won;t be cancelling the order?

Nice write up, seems fairly unbiast.....surprised you guys didn;t list cost as a positive in comparison with say a £27K S3 etc :shrug:

Yer im happy. My only specific to me complaint, is they can be tricky to get in and out of, especially if your me! :cartman: The low A pillar and seat bolsters mean you have to stoop to get in and out. But once your in the car, they are roomy enough even for me. ;)

The seats are brilliant too, very firm and suportive, yet comfortable with it, not too narrow which again was something I was a little concerned about, given that im a larger chap. :p

I can live with it, i had dislikes in the R too, I don't think anything is perfect. Its always about what your happy with yourself, and sod everyone elses opinion. :)