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New Cupra Test
- Thread starter WaveyDaveyGravy
- Start date
How many did the do from the Cupra to Cupra R?
Moreover
How many did they do from the SX to the Cupra when the Leon Mk1 was launched in 2001? you could count that on one finger
I had one of the first simple looking Cupra's - never liked the look if I am honest - was gutted when the facelift cupra was released and knew thats what it should have looked like, then time to change and the R was released - perfect!
Had the Mk4 Golf GTI before the Cupra and tbh the Golf was pretty boring looking really but I still had one - well for a few months until I swapped it for the more powerful Cupra !
Outside it does look the same as the FR no doubt about it, the interior does make up for it, those seats look and sure as hell do feel nice together with the slightly flat sided steering wheel (same as FR).
Test drive on next Saturday so I will get more of a feel for it then.
After having the FR 170TDI today I was impressed with the handling and as for the engine - well very impressed for an oil burner, it does feel like the back end stays firmly on the road too with this new independant setup.
Had the Mk4 Golf GTI before the Cupra and tbh the Golf was pretty boring looking really but I still had one - well for a few months until I swapped it for the more powerful Cupra !
Outside it does look the same as the FR no doubt about it, the interior does make up for it, those seats look and sure as hell do feel nice together with the slightly flat sided steering wheel (same as FR).
Test drive on next Saturday so I will get more of a feel for it then.
After having the FR 170TDI today I was impressed with the handling and as for the engine - well very impressed for an oil burner, it does feel like the back end stays firmly on the road too with this new independant setup.
This months top gear did a group test including the new Civic Type R. The Leon was up against it, along with the Golf GTI Edition 30, Focus ST, Mazda 3 MPS, Astra VXR, Renault Megane something or other, and it fair very poorly. Apparently bad handling, and an awful interior, along with jiggly ride and unrefined performance.
Then they listed all the hot hatches in order, the civic comnig first, the Leon around 26th place i think. Out of 30 odd. Not good!! Bottom was the SEAT Ibiza Cupra
Oh dear, i was half tempted by the new cupra, but there seems so many better choices these days. Think i may defect... :S Shame, love my Mk1 FR Tdi.
Then they listed all the hot hatches in order, the civic comnig first, the Leon around 26th place i think. Out of 30 odd. Not good!! Bottom was the SEAT Ibiza Cupra
Oh dear, i was half tempted by the new cupra, but there seems so many better choices these days. Think i may defect... :S Shame, love my Mk1 FR Tdi.
I say that if top gear
is the information you use to make a decision on what car to buy, you are lost. Almost any other source of information goes. And there are plenty of that. The best way is to test drive it your self.
I say that if top gear
But how easy will that be if the numbers going to dealers are severely limited as previously reported?
SEAT UK PR
Guest
New Leon Cupra press reviews
Hi chaps.
Just thought I'd add my thoughts on the reviews the new Leon Cupra has been receiving in the UK motoring press.
Overall, I'd say they're positive, but it is true that they are also very mixed. On the one hand the guys at Top Gear were underwhelmed (though when the comments are analysed, they actually only really criticise its interior and the ride and handling. And on the latter they merely say that it rides and handles 'less well' than a Golf GTI).
Car magazine is reasonably okay (though not glowing) about the newcomer, as are Autocar and What Car?, whereas Evo, Auto Express, The Daily Telegraph and The Sun all think it's great and at the forefront of the hot hatch class.
We presented the car to more press at our UK launch last week, and the variety of subjective opinions continued! One journalist came back from a test drive distinctly unimpressed, only to mellow a little once I'd pointed out various positive aspects of the car, while others came back saying it was the best SEAT they'd ever driven. Both Darren Turner and Jason Plato attended the event - their opinion was that the use of aluminium for the front suspension really pays dividends. With less unsprung mass, it has been possible to soften the springs and reduce the size of the anti-roll bar. The upshot? A more resilient ride, less sudden weight-transfer and less understeer.
I would say that the main positive aspects of the car highlighted in the press compared with the opposition are:
- Almost non-existent torque steer. SEAT's engineers in Martorell have done a superb job on this and, according to journalists I spoke to last week, it is leagues ahead of the Astra VXR and Mazda 3 MPS for getting its power down on the road cleanly
- Power delivery is smooth and progressive yet the car is blindlingly quick. Sounds good too
- Styling modifications, though subtle, work well in the metal, and really make the Leon stand out even more from the opposition, without getting too gung-ho like the VXR, for example. It's interesting to note that not a single journalist commented that the car didn't look dramatic enough. The yellow cars helped! Though in reality many took out the black cars, because yellow was 'too lairy' for them
- Sheer value for money. With the substantial engine mods, aluminium suspension, bi-xenons, bucket seats, twin zone climate control etc, the Cupra looks great value at under £20k
My advice is try the car out before you decide!
Cheers
Mike
Hi chaps.
Just thought I'd add my thoughts on the reviews the new Leon Cupra has been receiving in the UK motoring press.
Overall, I'd say they're positive, but it is true that they are also very mixed. On the one hand the guys at Top Gear were underwhelmed (though when the comments are analysed, they actually only really criticise its interior and the ride and handling. And on the latter they merely say that it rides and handles 'less well' than a Golf GTI).
Car magazine is reasonably okay (though not glowing) about the newcomer, as are Autocar and What Car?, whereas Evo, Auto Express, The Daily Telegraph and The Sun all think it's great and at the forefront of the hot hatch class.
We presented the car to more press at our UK launch last week, and the variety of subjective opinions continued! One journalist came back from a test drive distinctly unimpressed, only to mellow a little once I'd pointed out various positive aspects of the car, while others came back saying it was the best SEAT they'd ever driven. Both Darren Turner and Jason Plato attended the event - their opinion was that the use of aluminium for the front suspension really pays dividends. With less unsprung mass, it has been possible to soften the springs and reduce the size of the anti-roll bar. The upshot? A more resilient ride, less sudden weight-transfer and less understeer.
I would say that the main positive aspects of the car highlighted in the press compared with the opposition are:
- Almost non-existent torque steer. SEAT's engineers in Martorell have done a superb job on this and, according to journalists I spoke to last week, it is leagues ahead of the Astra VXR and Mazda 3 MPS for getting its power down on the road cleanly
- Power delivery is smooth and progressive yet the car is blindlingly quick. Sounds good too
- Styling modifications, though subtle, work well in the metal, and really make the Leon stand out even more from the opposition, without getting too gung-ho like the VXR, for example. It's interesting to note that not a single journalist commented that the car didn't look dramatic enough. The yellow cars helped! Though in reality many took out the black cars, because yellow was 'too lairy' for them
- Sheer value for money. With the substantial engine mods, aluminium suspension, bi-xenons, bucket seats, twin zone climate control etc, the Cupra looks great value at under £20k
My advice is try the car out before you decide!
Cheers
Mike
Thank you Mike.
When I was test driving cars a few months back I did try Mazda3 MPS and Leon FR on the same day. Mazda had much more power, but did loose on every other aspect.
Did test drive almost all the other hot hatches on the market. The last one was Volvo C30 T5, that I did not like at all. I ordered the Cupra without test driving hoping that I will get same as FR with a hint more sportiness. I'm sure I will get that.
I want my car to have at least four doors, so that limits some options. And I think Cupra is the best of what is left. My last car was a Audi Sportback 3.2 V6 DSG. Did not like the automatic gear and how much gas it consumed. I will miss four wheel drive. I do not like the look on any VW.
Cupra needs some changes that enchants the interior/exterior and maybe some of the Aerokits parts. Then I will get a stage 2 Revo on it and get around 350 bhp. Now I will have my perfect car
When I was test driving cars a few months back I did try Mazda3 MPS and Leon FR on the same day. Mazda had much more power, but did loose on every other aspect.
Did test drive almost all the other hot hatches on the market. The last one was Volvo C30 T5, that I did not like at all. I ordered the Cupra without test driving hoping that I will get same as FR with a hint more sportiness. I'm sure I will get that.
I want my car to have at least four doors, so that limits some options. And I think Cupra is the best of what is left. My last car was a Audi Sportback 3.2 V6 DSG. Did not like the automatic gear and how much gas it consumed. I will miss four wheel drive. I do not like the look on any VW.
Cupra needs some changes that enchants the interior/exterior and maybe some of the Aerokits parts. Then I will get a stage 2 Revo on it and get around 350 bhp. Now I will have my perfect car
Well I have been to my dealer today who have their Cupra in the showroom. It was in yellow (not my colour choice) but I actually couldn't stop smiling - I thought the car looked great! It has been a long time coming so perhaps it was a degree of "at last"?
I had a good look around it and whilst I agree there are some aspects that aren't class leading, it gave me the same feeling as the LCR - GOOD ALL ROUNDER. Five seats (fronts are excellant), five doors, good boot for its class, looks nice with the bright colour contasting against the black trim, nice simple wheel design and all the goodies you want. I have a test drive this weekend.
I then went to look at a Megane R26 - rave reviews and been offered a good discount. Now this really is an acquired taste. Not going to doubt the performance and handling (I only drove the normal 225 Cup) but overall I think you could fall out of love quicker than you would fall in love. Great Recaro seats but you may wish for something a little softer. The looks are pretty much normal Megane - only the wheels, visible Brembos and the twin exhaust really sets them apart. To be honest, the rear does not look nice from most angles. This is where I feel the Leon scores - it offers more variation. I don't think the Megane would be very if you had to do a long journey, had kids in the back, you were feeling sick after a big meal etc!!
The one thing that will make me consider buying something other than the Cupra is availibility. I appreciate supply and demand but I feel that SEAT UK are in danger of shooting themselves in the foot. There are a lot of people out there with 2,3 and 4 year old LCRs who would like to replace them. Yet for some reason the UK market is being restricted. To be quoted 16 weeks for a car that is available now elsewhere just because of factory fitted options is frustrating to me. SEAT may think it will keep the model exclusive or sought after, whereas I would consider it a snub to brand loyalty.
I can be in an R26 with the options I require by Thursday of this week.....
I had a good look around it and whilst I agree there are some aspects that aren't class leading, it gave me the same feeling as the LCR - GOOD ALL ROUNDER. Five seats (fronts are excellant), five doors, good boot for its class, looks nice with the bright colour contasting against the black trim, nice simple wheel design and all the goodies you want. I have a test drive this weekend.
I then went to look at a Megane R26 - rave reviews and been offered a good discount. Now this really is an acquired taste. Not going to doubt the performance and handling (I only drove the normal 225 Cup) but overall I think you could fall out of love quicker than you would fall in love. Great Recaro seats but you may wish for something a little softer. The looks are pretty much normal Megane - only the wheels, visible Brembos and the twin exhaust really sets them apart. To be honest, the rear does not look nice from most angles. This is where I feel the Leon scores - it offers more variation. I don't think the Megane would be very if you had to do a long journey, had kids in the back, you were feeling sick after a big meal etc!!
The one thing that will make me consider buying something other than the Cupra is availibility. I appreciate supply and demand but I feel that SEAT UK are in danger of shooting themselves in the foot. There are a lot of people out there with 2,3 and 4 year old LCRs who would like to replace them. Yet for some reason the UK market is being restricted. To be quoted 16 weeks for a car that is available now elsewhere just because of factory fitted options is frustrating to me. SEAT may think it will keep the model exclusive or sought after, whereas I would consider it a snub to brand loyalty.
I can be in an R26 with the options I require by Thursday of this week.....
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One of the things I have noted since reading the reviews of the latest crop of VAG cars (other than the Golf GTi) is that there are a core of journo's who seem pre-programmed in their opinion of Audi / SEAT cars.
In one magazine you will get a rave review, in another a slating. Too many of the reviews are based on personal opinion and biased by the level of hospitality they have received, and where I feel the VAG cars can fall down is that they sacrifice 'out and out driver thrills' for 'livability' (eg. you can live with the car on a day to day basis without hating it for its lack of compromise). Some journos would term this dull, but to me a car that is overly sharp to respond, constantly high revving and overly focussed can be tiring at times.
In general the public look to the journo's for an independent and consistent review of a car, and a fair one at that. When your spending £20k+ you deserve it. I've now given up with reviews as they are as much a hinderance as they are benefit. They can be interesting to compare notes against, but ultimately if you drive it and it floats your boat then buy it.
Restrictions on numbers can be good as it will help to hold up residuals, although it does make the wait more painful.
Mike, if you do come back and read this thread I have had to defect from 2 LCR's to the Audi brand based on the gut feel that SEAT haven't been allowed to realise their full potential. I am not sure if this has been enforced by VW in an attempt to stop the Leon treading on the Golf's feet, but considering SEAT is the sporting arm of the VAG group I think more effort could have been lavished on the new Cupra. After a stretch of 5 SEATs in a row (and 2 LCRs) I have temporarily had to move on.
I'm not knocking the new Cupra, its very good, but its just lacking a certain something for me. I appreciate you cant please everyone all of the time, but I guess all customer feedback is valuable to some extent.
In one magazine you will get a rave review, in another a slating. Too many of the reviews are based on personal opinion and biased by the level of hospitality they have received, and where I feel the VAG cars can fall down is that they sacrifice 'out and out driver thrills' for 'livability' (eg. you can live with the car on a day to day basis without hating it for its lack of compromise). Some journos would term this dull, but to me a car that is overly sharp to respond, constantly high revving and overly focussed can be tiring at times.
In general the public look to the journo's for an independent and consistent review of a car, and a fair one at that. When your spending £20k+ you deserve it. I've now given up with reviews as they are as much a hinderance as they are benefit. They can be interesting to compare notes against, but ultimately if you drive it and it floats your boat then buy it.
Restrictions on numbers can be good as it will help to hold up residuals, although it does make the wait more painful.
Mike, if you do come back and read this thread I have had to defect from 2 LCR's to the Audi brand based on the gut feel that SEAT haven't been allowed to realise their full potential. I am not sure if this has been enforced by VW in an attempt to stop the Leon treading on the Golf's feet, but considering SEAT is the sporting arm of the VAG group I think more effort could have been lavished on the new Cupra. After a stretch of 5 SEATs in a row (and 2 LCRs) I have temporarily had to move on.
I'm not knocking the new Cupra, its very good, but its just lacking a certain something for me. I appreciate you cant please everyone all of the time, but I guess all customer feedback is valuable to some extent.
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Its difficult to predict what will happen within SEAT over the next couple of years.
Its true that several years ago they were trumpeted with much fanfare by the parent company as the sporting arm of VAG. However things change, and internally in the past few months things have changed dramatically in the VAG Group.
A new boss at VAG, and impending Porsche takeover, new President at SEAT new MD at SEAT UK, with a vast group restructuring going on presently, its no longer the same company it was a few years ago. Its undertaking a transition.
Its true that several years ago they were trumpeted with much fanfare by the parent company as the sporting arm of VAG. However things change, and internally in the past few months things have changed dramatically in the VAG Group.
A new boss at VAG, and impending Porsche takeover, new President at SEAT new MD at SEAT UK, with a vast group restructuring going on presently, its no longer the same company it was a few years ago. Its undertaking a transition.
coxw your last post made loads of sense to me. I am one who really really doesn't want to look elsewhere, but I am starting to think I will have to. Perhaps I am too impatient, but when you have a market flooded with some of the very best hot hatches ever, you would hope that SEATs would be readily available. I could understand having waiting lists at the higher end of the market such as S3, R32 or BMW, but not at this level.
I feel the same but to be honest I'd rather wait for the Cupra than drive a market flooded hot hatch..you always see loads of Type R but rarely see LCR's which is far better as at least you stand out in the crowd!!!
Perhaps my test drive this weekend will pacify me. I did buy the LCR without even driving it though - such was the urge to own one and the fact that I could get one quite easily!!
It may just be me, but i don't understand blind 'impatience' when purchasing cars.
They are more often than not one of the largest consumer investments we make, and I personally would rather wait for what i want, than dither and then be overly impatient by settling for something that simply has greater availability!
They are more often than not one of the largest consumer investments we make, and I personally would rather wait for what i want, than dither and then be overly impatient by settling for something that simply has greater availability!
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