MK3 Leon Cupra, what we know

[ZBOYD]

While I agree with some of what Scott has said , I think Seat will be playing catch up again soon the new face lifted ST is due soon , the RS is also due soon.

seat have a platform which may well be good , all depends what a first drive feels like , but they will have to do something with regards to looks and colours and very quick to stay competitive , no doubting the standard equipment , but for one I would have rather had the choice between LED headlights and Xenon headlights

My one concern is not many of the major manufacturers are going LED , so wonder if Seat are using the Leon as a tester for the vag range.

Also I wonder how special the cabin will actually feel ?

Andrew you may say forget the R for now , but a lot of Cupra potential owners will be pissed off if they are told there is no Cupra R and then one suddenly spring up.
Spin think asking the question is the right thing to so for people to have all the information when making their choice where and what to spend there hard earned money on.

SEAT could well also be waiting on the competition to make their move, with the current options on offer (taking its VAG brethren out of the equation) maybe playing it conservative is the way to proceed.

Wait to see what Ford, Vauxhall and Renault come up with next, then bring your R to the table.

There will be no R for at least 2 years absolute minimum, more realistic for it to be at least 3 years. Commercial stupidity to offer one car with the spectre of another more specified so close to it.

Don't believe the motoring press on rumour based news such as the Cupra R, they are simply filling column inches. There may or may not be plans to produce an R, unless they are mothballing the R brand entirely, I think its a pretty firm bet we'll see an R in the future.

But it certainly won't be inside 12 months of a Cupra launch or even 2 years, that would be plain idiotic and doesn't follow any kind of historic trend.

 

[Siboneh]

Just had a good read on the front cover about the new Leon ST 4Drive very good technology.

Could possibly see this 4Drive system in another SEAT model in the future?

 

[ZBOYD]

Every possibility as it is more than likely to be the latest haldex system as seen on the Golf.

I'm of the opinion though the the current Leon range is now complete for the moment. SEAT will turn its attention towards its older products inc the Ibiza which is probably due a new version in 2015 and is an equally important product for the brand.

There is potential that we may even see an all new product introduced such as a small SUV, i.e. Yeti/Q3

I believe SEAT need to have a wider choice to appeal further to buyers across all interests, they have given the Leon more options than ever before. I can't believe they are resting on the work they have achieved, and that more is yet to come.

 

[Bobanegra]

Got absolutely nothing to back this up with but I'd be very surprised if a Cupra R was released before the Leon Mk3 gets facelifted and by that time would you let the thought of a forthcoming Leon Mk4 put you off getting the Cupra R when it goes on sale?

For the same reason I wouldn't be put off getting a Cupra because I know a Cupra R is going to be available in the future, there will always be something newer on the horizon.

 

[Al]

But it certainly won't be inside 12 months of a Cupra launch or even 2 years, that would be plain idiotic and doesn't follow any kind of historic trend.

They haven't really followed some trends with the MK3 Leon Cupra either though to be fair vs say the MK1 or MK2 Leon Cupra - and based on the financial situation they have endured, to proceed as they have done in the past could be suicide for SEAT.

That being said, I don't see the benefit for VAG overall in having a 4x4 Leon Cupra/R with DSG gears as it would directly compete with the top model Golf and S3 model on the A3 and do them no favours in terms of sales figures and depreciation -and that would not follow historical trends either.

Then again however, there hasn't been a 3 door Leon, a Leon Estate, DSG gears, 4x4 in the UK, mechanical limited slip diffs, Sat Nav as standard right from the start, 2 stage model on the Cupra, one of which with 19" wheels, DCC etc etc. And as far as I recall, the Leon Cupra has never been in the position its in with regard to price vs say the Golf GTi. And especially not the Golf R - lets remember that despite it being loaded with toys, the Cupra 280 has near enough the same list price as a Golf R (with less kit). That is a Golf with 20bhp more than the Leon and four wheel drive, better build quality, more exclusivity and ultimately better residuals.

With regard to the possibility of the Leon Cupra R, what would make more sense is a limited run/numbered Leon Cupra R with 300+bhp, front wheel drive with perhaps a Cup style lightweight option, Brembo's and the looks it needs to be different from the Cupra and noticeable as a performance car. That might be looks in line with say the RS3 or even more in your face like the Focus RS or somewhere in between.

All this aside, the Leon Cupra Mk3 is sure to be a weapon on the track in terms of lap times - but lets be honest. How many people have actually taken their pride and joy and actually battered it to its limits on a track? I know I did in my 2010 Leon Cupra but I don't know nobody else in Scotland that did it with a FL MK2 Leon in Scotland. It is sales bumff that can justify a significant purchase and great marketing material that SEAT can use to move more units. I'd say they are going to need it.

 

[ZBOYD]

They haven't really followed some trends with the MK3 Leon Cupra either though to be fair vs say the MK1 or MK2 Leon Cupra - and based on the financial situation they have endured, to proceed as they have done in the past could be suicide for SEAT.

Style trends, but launch trends have stayed fairly stable in most senses.

I had an new Mk1 LC from Aug 2000, then an Mk1 LCR appeared roughly about 2.5 years later, I got my own in LCR 2003.

Leon Mk2 Cupra announced mid to late 2006, arrived in the UK from March 2007. LCR version followed it about 2.5 - 3 years later.

Pretty stable model trend over a products life which tends to be between 5 - 7 years with a mid life refresh.

 

[Al]

My point was on the fairly significant variations available on the Cupra though Mark. They are obviously trying to broaden the appeal of the car to more which could mean that the Cupra R with any differences it might or might not have could follow more quickly this time. They haven't really been successful in terms of P&L so change might be the ointment necessary to fix that.

When you look back at the MK1 and MK2 Leon Cupra models in terms of spec/power/configuration/kit and prices vs their competition and VAG stablemates, there have been some significant changes.

 

[ZBOYD]

All this aside, the Leon Cupra Mk3 is sure to be a weapon on the track in terms of lap times - but lets be honest. How many people have actually taken their pride and joy and actually battered it to its limits on a track? I know I did in my 2010 Leon Cupra but I don't know nobody else in Scotland that did it with a FL MK2 Leon in Scotland. It is sales bumff that can justify a significant purchase and great marketing material that SEAT can use to move more units. I'd say they are going to need it.

But then there are people like myself, who haven't found hooning their pride and joy up and down a strip of tarmac for a quarter of mile really floated their boat either.

Doesn't mean it can't appeal to people who don't follow your interests.

I have always said this, you can probably find it archived somewhere on the forum, the fact some of us modify, drag strip and or track day our cars is a very small percentage of the companies sales figures of any particular model and that includes the Cupra's.

They don't build cars for us to modify, that's not on the brief. Modifying is something people with an interest do afterwards.

 

[scrich7]

My one concern is not many of the major manufacturers are going LED , so wonder if Seat are using the Leon as a tester for the vag range.

Would have to disagree on this one. BMW, Merc and Audi are all heading in the direction of LED. LED are optional on most Audi's now and standard on some variants of the 4 Series BMW. Even Peugeot are getting in on the game, about half of the new 308 range come with LED headlights as standard.

 

[Al]

But then there are people like myself, who haven't found hooning their pride and joy up and down a strip of tarmac for a quarter of mile really floated their boat either.

Doesn't mean it can't appeal to people who don't follow your interests.

I have always said this, you can probably find it archived somewhere on the forum, the fact some of us modify, drag strip and or track day our cars is a very small percentage of the companies sales figures of any particular model and that includes the Cupra's.

They don't build cars for us to modify, that's not on the brief. Modifying is something people with an interest do afterwards.

That is exactly the point I was trying to make sir . Fastest lap is purely marketing hype because most of the cars sold will never ever do it!

 

[GrahamFR]

Would have to disagree on this one. BMW, Merc and Audi are all heading in the direction of LED. LED are optional on most Audi's now and standard on some variants of the 4 Series BMW. Even Peugeot are getting in on the game, about half of the new 308 range come with LED headlights as standard.

I reckon they will save putting full led on the fl golf model

 

[Al]

Laser lights are being developed too

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/industry/laser-headlights-how-they-work-16380680

 

[GrahamFR]

Ooooh laser beams, plasma cannons next!

 

[ZBOYD]

That is exactly the point I was trying to make sir . Fastest lap is purely marketing hype because most of the cars sold will never ever do it!

 

[ZBOYD]

Ooooh laser beams, plasma cannons next!

If they fit photon torpedoes, I'm sold.

 

[Jarre]

I had a Leon mk3 with full LED headlights behind me the other day, I actually thought they produced the same amount of glare that HIDs in reflectors do.

 

[robdf2]

My post was more to do with having an option for a cost saving when spec ing a car.

 

[Syphon]

Finally decided - Z and M0rk talked me into DSG. It's been a long time coming. Order going in tomorrow....

DSG 280 SC
Nevada White
Sound system
Space Saver



Scott

 

[Siboneh]

Finally decided - Z and M0rk talked me into DSG. It's been a long time coming. Order going in tomorrow....



DSG 280 SC

Nevada White

Sound system

Space Saver







Scott

Nice one Scott

I do think the SC version looks better than the 4 door.

PX the Cupra or selling private?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Syphon]

Nice one Scott

I do think the SC version looks better than the 4 door.

PX the Cupra or selling private?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Selling the Cupra private, will put it up for sale this month most likely.

Scott