I believe that ESP (Electronic Stability Program) is no longer standard on UK Leon Cupra's (amongst other things).
I'm looking at an EU import and ESP is an optional extra - question is, is ESP worth going for ? Anyone have any feedback on it's performance or tried bombing round a track with it off/on and noticed any difference.
My current thinking is that as a £380 option (on EU import) I would probably not bother as traction control and the differential thingy sound like enough on the computer taking over front (I would actually like to drive the car myself!).
Any opinions/experiences out there ?
Yorkie.
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Cupramax
03-08-2001, 14:13
ESP is a waste of money. If you get a Leon that out of shape on a road for it to come into play you'll either be in casualty having bits of scenery removed from yourself or upside down in a field somehwere dead along with whoever you hit in the process!!! Basically it works by applying brakes to individual wheels and cutting engine power until the car comes out of the spin.
Max
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My experience of it is that i think its a very good system, the Leon i feel has sharp handling, at the Alconbury Track Days i've had it on and off, with it off makes it more fun a little more tail happy shall we say.
But i think it comes into its own on the poorly surfaced and potholed British roads, its saved my hide a few times, i remember Lee explaining he had a close call at a roundabout in the wet, and was relieved he had the ESP on it, it really does work well. http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/smile.gif
Not sure how different it is in regards to a newer Leon without it, never had the chance to drive one to find out. http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/smile.gif
If you want to drive the car yourself turn it off http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/smile.gif
Though i've heard you never actually escape the TCS/ESP entirely, even when its off, its working at 30%, so its always looking over your shoulder a little bit, and that includes Leons without ESP.
Earlier in the year at a very snowy Crewe cruise, on my way back with Mike Smith in his Ibiza 1.8GTi in front, he lost it big style on a roundabout, sideways, i hit the roundabout and was only able to avoid him due to the ESP running the Leon on tramlines, it didnt once budge, if you floored it, it would start to slide a little then the engine revs would drop and the car actuualy stopped in skidding.
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Mark
Chips are nicer in Engines than with Fish.
Agreed With ZBOYD on this one.
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Lee Shand
www.seatcupra.net (http://www.seatcupra.net)
ESP is very impressive and might just save your life in the event of a blowout.
When mine got fixed, the ex-Ferrari mechanic took me for a spin and I was well impressed.
He approached a corner at high speed and just kept his foot planted on the gas pedal and the car just went around!! He had me grabing for the door handle and I don't do that very often http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/smile.gif Not to mention the tricks with ESP on and off around roundabouts http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/wink.gif