Well, after just over a months ownership of the Cupra, here are my thoughts and musings on it.....
At the end of this March I went went looking for my next "hot hatch", looking for a nearly new car in the forms of either the 7R or the Leon Cupra
290. Both cars fulfilled my brief of having a car that was fun once mapped and both basically had the same space inside, alongside DSG etc.
In the end I swerved towards a nearly new 66 reg Leon Cupra for the following reasons.
The first and main reason above all else was that the Cupra had a proper manual handbrake. I have had a car on loan with the e-brake and hated it with a vengeance. It was also my reason not to fork out a little extra and go for the new Cupra.
The next reason was that the Leon was just lighter and more nimble. The Golf feels good and planted but that extra weight and the AWD dulled the driving experience. I do a lot of trackdays and the Leon will do a fair few, so I already know the Leon is quicker and more nimble around track than a 7R, so another tick in the box for the Cupra over the R.
DCC was the next reason. yes I know you can opt for DCC in the R, but just try finding one as a nearly new ( under 6 months) at the right spec for any money!! DCC is standard on the Cupra and just a lovely thing to have.
Now comes the real controversy......the interior. Pretty much subjective and very much in the eyes of the beholder but the Recaro style heated seats in the Cupra are wayyyyy better than any seat option in the 7R. They look better and once you have sat in them you just know they are supportive and VERY comfortable. Probably the best hot hatch seat available as stock between VW and Seat. I don't really like cloth or leather seats, so the alcantara seats are also the best of both worlds for me.
Yes the all weather grip was a big attraction, but it isn't the "killer USP" that most believe it to be.
The defining moment is when I see a 7R pass in the opposite direction that I don't think "****, I wish I'd bought a 7R"
Tuning the Cupra has so far simply been a pleasure. The car has been improved to a level where it is now my favourite car that I have owned.....yes, even over the 6R! The Etuners maps and hardware have simply enhanced the car to a level I thought wasn't even possible on a fwd car, while still being eminently poised and comfortable on the road.