MK3 Leon Cupra, what we know

[shnazzle]

After reading in depth I'm a little more impressed.
- locking diff
- 2 stage ESC
- DCC
- DSG
- 280hp (with an odd 350nm torque...surely that should be closer to 400) REMAP!!!
- and almost (sadly) most impressively.... 149g/km on the co2! That there means some serious efficiency.

I'm really liking the sound of the driving tech they've added and it seems like a very very big improvement over the current mk2 models.
As for the exterior....meh. It's nice. But...meh.

I'd have it for the specs though. Can;t wait to get more info on the nitty gritty. Have they gone for a different/bigger turbo? Intercooler? What kind of emissions systems is it running (i.e. what are the restrictions)? What are the specs on the DSG? What are the seats like? etc etc

 

[GrahamFR]

After reading in depth I'm a little more impressed.
- locking diff
- 2 stage ESC
- DCC
- DSG
- 280hp (with an odd 350nm torque...surely that should be closer to 400) REMAP!!!
- and almost (sadly) most impressively.... 149g/km on the co2! That there means some serious efficiency.

I'm really liking the sound of the driving tech they've added and it seems like a very very big improvement over the current mk2 models.
As for the exterior....meh. It's nice. But...meh.

I'd have it for the specs though. Can;t wait to get more info on the nitty gritty. Have they gone for a different/bigger turbo? Intercooler? What kind of emissions systems is it running (i.e. what are the restrictions)? What are the specs on the DSG? What are the seats like? etc etc

+1 on the turbo info

 

[Al]

oooh did not know that, surely a bigger IHI than mine or is it the same one?? Hoping it is for tunability but im not too hopeful

ABT remapped an S3 using a plug in box to about 360bhp as I recall. The box is an add on/piggy back to the car as the ECU is encrypted/sealed and they have added things to see if there has been any changes/tampering.

As far as I know other tuners have made safe 340 ish bhp with a map on an S3. The downpipe is the biggest restrictor from what has been found so far and it is expected that with exhaust, map and normal bolt ons that 400bhp will be likely.

 

[GrahamFR]

ABT remapped an S3 using a plug in box to about 360bhp as I recall. The box is an add on/piggy back to the car as the ECU is encrypted/sealed and they have added things to see if there has been any changes/tampering.

As far as I know other tuners have made safe 340 ish bhp with a map on an S3. The downpipe is the biggest restrictor from what has been found so far and it is expected that with exhaust, map and normal bolt ons that 400bhp will be likely.

400bhp without a shadow of a doubt, Shark and DTUK have joined to make petrol boxes given the pain in the ass regarding the ecu. They got 46bhp out of it, which isnt too bad considering its just a box.

Agree with you about the exhaust, if its the same as the GTI its very tight and restrictive, saw it first hand at BCS and will be popping back for development next week. Milltek have already got one and on shark dyno it made 20bhp alone.

What I was curious about Al was if the IHI is used in the R, Cupra and GTI, is there any chance its the same unit with the same potential? I doubt it but would love to know

 

[robdf2]

Just noticed the fuel gauge in the speedo and the temperature gauge in the rev counter , nice little touches.
Is that the standard interior seats in the pics ?
Or is it the optional leather ?

 

[big eck]

Pity they won't come with a btcc kit option. Might improve its looks a bit more. Hmm one of these or a nearly new S3???

 

[xSullx]

Regarding the looks. Look what I found from the Autoexpress reveal article:
"Even so, for buyers who do want more extrovert visuals from their hot hatch, SEAT will sell a limited-edition launch version with looks inspired by the Leon Cup Racer, offering coloured alloys, contrasting mirrors and a two-tone interior design."


Source: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/seat/leon/85129/new-seat-leon-cupra-set-blow-rivals-away-276bhp

Sounds similar to the BTCC edition, which SEAT released with the mk2 Cupra. Revealed in Geneva possibly?

 

[Ben CTR]

In light of the remap difficulties that most manufacturers seem to be now create, there is nothing wrong with the latest tuning boxes as an alternative IMO. Most seem to be going the same way (VAG, BMW, Merc etc) and seem to be giving good results if the right tuner is used.
There is also the added bonus of being able to remove them easily enough for sealer visits and most make detection very difficult compared with software remaps.

Take with a pinch of salt, but the Mk7 seems to respond well..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChH7HM8g54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bba5eMqlSeY

 

[scrich7]

It looks like the seats (in terms of design at least) might not be one piece backs, they look exactly the same (apart from colours) as what are in the FR.

Have to admit that this doesn't do enough to tempt me into a change from my 1.8 SC in a couple of years time, I get the feeling the R might do though.

 

[Jarre]

I think it'll look better in the flesh than these computer aided images we've been provided with so far. It looks subtle, I like that, not bothered for my car to stick out like a sore thumb.

Performance figures look quite impressive, but up to £28.5k for a leon plus extras if you want leather, 19 inch alloys etc. ouch.

 

[LeonCR]

Would never use a tuning box personally, and the GTI ECU has already been cracked so cant imagine it will take long for proper maps to be available on these

 

[GrahamFR]

In light of the remap difficulties that most manufacturers seem to be now create, there is nothing wrong with the latest tuning boxes as an alternative IMO. Most seem to be going the same way (VAG, BMW, Merc etc) and seem to be giving good results if the right tuner is used.
There is also the added bonus of being able to remove them easily enough for sealer visits and most make detection very difficult compared with software remaps.

Take with a pinch of salt, but the Mk7 seems to respond well..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lChH7HM8g54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bba5eMqlSeY

A mahoooosive boulder of salt, however much I love my car it would not trounce all over a mk6 R with a tuning box on, it may be better (rolling) but not by the margins shown in that video.

Would never use a tuning box personally, and the GTI ECU has already been cracked so cant imagine it will take long for proper maps to be available on these

So the rumour mill tells us but I have yet to see any published figures?

 

[GrahamFR]

400bhp without a shadow of a doubt, Shark and DTUK have joined to make petrol boxes given the pain in the ass regarding the ecu. They got 46bhp out of it, which isnt too bad considering its just a box.

Agree with you about the exhaust, if its the same as the GTI its very tight and restrictive, saw it first hand at BCS and will be popping back for development next week. Milltek have already got one and on shark dyno it made 20bhp alone.

What I was curious about Al was if the IHI is used in the R, Cupra and GTI, is there any chance its the same unit with the same potential? I doubt it but would love to know

Had a gander at info on the R and asked the question on a different forum, it may have a IHI turbo so same manufacturer but yours is certainly bigger than mine lol

 

[ZBOYD]

Pretty much the same sort of negatives came out towards the Mk2, so haters will hate.

It won't put people off, never has in the past. The Mk2 went on to do well and based on the reception the Mk3 has had, its sure to attract buyers.

The more they sell of the shopping models, FR and Cupra's makes a hyper version all the more probable in the future. Biggest problem SEAT have had in the past was they sold FR's and Cupra's but not enough shopping models.

Horses for courses, we knew this would be a conservative car but its no less a proposition than a Golf GTI and comes with more power and more toys as std.

Its a nice looking motor with a good level of equipment and choice at a competitive price. The fact its not a million miles away from the FR is no bad thing either, because I can tell you from my own experience its a great car, really nice level of equipment, feels a nice place to be and is fun to chuck about, a great chassis.

The addition of DCC, Front Diff Lock will only make this Cupra a proper fun car to throw about.

I wanted something a little cheaper to run, otherwise I'd of probably hung around for this car. I'll still look forward to having a test drive in one though and giving my two 'kenneth!

If an R version doesn't appear in 3 years, then I know whats next.

 

[Ben CTR]

Would never use a tuning box personally, and the GTI ECU has already been cracked so cant imagine it will take long for proper maps to be available on these

So the rumour mill tells us but I have yet to see any published figures?

Cracking the ECU is only half the problem. You've also got to take into account whether it can be mapped through OBD or whether it is ECU out job. Also will it leave a big red flag when going into the dealers for warranty/service work? With Audi having this TD1 (or whatever it's called) and BMW having a similar system in place, I can't imagine it will be long before most manufacturers follow suit.
Of course if you're not bothered about warranty and happy to roll the dice, then fill your boots.. ha

 

[betty_swollox]

Gotta admit, the interior is a lot nicer.

And I think the two oval exhausts will look beasty in the flesh

 

[jc_boc]

Tempted by the DSG but lower VED and slightly (i know it's marginal) MPG could sway me toward the manual at the end of the day. If there is a CUP inspired limited edition I would definately be all over that To be fair this came at the right time as I am looking at owning a new car by June so this works out pretty darn well for me.

 

[robdf2]

Cracking the ECU is only half the problem. You've also got to take into account whether it can be mapped through OBD or whether it is ECU out job. Also will it leave a big red flag when going into the dealers for warranty/service work? With Audi having this TD1 (or whatever it's called) and BMW having a similar system in place, I can't imagine it will be long before most manufacturers follow suit.
Of course if you're not bothered about warranty and happy to roll the dice, then fill your boots.. ha

Hi Ben good to see you over here
Audis latest garage dianostic equipment does check for flags and does find them , I did read that a brand of map who says flags are not left behind was actually found using Audis new equipment.
If your ecu has been found to have been modified with Audi now your car is flagged up on their system and modified , it's given a specific code , can't remember what it is , then audi revoke your warranty period , no ifs not buts the warranty is void.

They also flag your car as a lesser modified code if your car has say a induction kit or lowered ect.
Maybe someone who works for seat can tell us if they use the same diagnostic equipment ?
I think manufacturers are clamping down on this. Or trying to.

 

[AndrewJB]

Of course they will try to clamp down on this, the same can be said for other markets such as mobile phones, Samsung have introduced their "Knox" system which is described as being a security system for your phone really it just flags people who have flashed different ROM's on the phone.

I still stand by what I said when I first drove the MK3, I love it.. it might look a little less in your face than previous models but it drives very well. The sales figures back that up, 3rd behind Astra and 1 series.

I was hoping for a more in your face Cupra this time but I'm sure we can make it more in your face.

 

[Blade]

Initial thoughts are disappointment in the looks dept but thumbs up for chassis and interior.