Little bit of fanboying on here I imagine.
The cars stats put it bang in mid range for allround performance for hot hatches. Focus RS, Audi RS3, Merc A45 are all in a class above.
The cupra sits more in the bracket of Golf R, Audi S3, Skoda VRS, Merc A35, BMW M140i, etc
The Golf R and Audi S3 are 4wd and will be quicker from a standing start. Rolling start, the Cupra does pull away in the mid range speeds. The Cupra will also be quicker round a track as it is lighter, and with the LSD it can corner quite fast for a fwd car.
The BMW M140i is a straight line pocket rocket. It has the highest BHP of the lot but is rear wheel drive. In a straight line it will have an advantage over any of the cars in its class but will be slower round a track that has lots of bends.
Cars on the everyday road, chances are, if its a hatchback and not one of the above mentioend cars, the Cupra will have greater performance. If it is an Audi S3 or a Golf R, it will be down to throttle control, tyre grip, gear changes etc. Theres not a lot in it. BMW m140i and you will likely be in its rear view.
If it is not a hatchback then some BMW and Audi saloons will have more straightline performance, particularly the larger engined diesel models. My dads BMW 430d has 40 less hp but much more torque, it will be able to keep accelerating at higher speeds.
Upshot is, most cars on the road the Cupra will win the contest of whos dad is bigger. But if you look in your rear view mirror and see an audi or BMW
badge with either an S or an M on it, and its not a hatchback. They will likely have you. Trouble with BMW though is the only indication is on the rear of the car. Msports and Mlites look very similar from the font. The M240i the M340i will both probably be on par with the Cupra but as mentioned theyw ill be faster in a straight line. The M2 and M3 however will be no contest, same goes for any RS audi.
Edit:
The others to watch our for are the Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30N and teh Renault Meganne RS. All hot hatches with comparable performance but they aren't in the mainstream and I don't see many of them on the roads. Maybe 10 Hondas, 1 Hyundai and on renault.
