Hurdy's 470bhp Cupra MK3

Hurdy

Yorkshire - born and bred
Oct 7, 2008
710
7
South Yorkshire
Last edited:

AndrewJB

Friend to SEAT UK & Cupra Racing
Aug 16, 2007
11,211
484
Maranello
Really need to get mine to POD again I only live 20 mins away, never bothered running it after I couldn't launch the MK2 LCR properly.
 

AndrewJB

Friend to SEAT UK & Cupra Racing
Aug 16, 2007
11,211
484
Maranello
I used to enjoy it but then realised I was rubbish at it haha, years of trying to get a Stage 2 MK2 leon FR TDI and Stage 2+ MK2 LCR to launch and failing! Might pop down one of these mid weeks when its quiet get a few runs in.

Mind you I need to get the new APR update first.
 

Hurdy

Yorkshire - born and bred
Oct 7, 2008
710
7
South Yorkshire
So, tomorrow the Cupra ( now known by the wife as Tommy Cupra! :rolleyes:) goes in for some extra ooomph at Statller Power Developments.
Stage 2 custom E-TUNERS mapping live on the dyno which should give good delta gains over their stage 1 custom maps. [B)]
Parts chosen to go stage two are:-
- Revo's 3" Scorpion Downpipe, mated for now to the OEM rear section catback.
- A Wagner tuning Competition intercooler - proven to give the best gains for this engine platform.
- A CTS turbo intake pipe - gives a less restrictive and smoother air flow into the turbo from the Forge induction pipe.

Power forecast is for over 400bhp and over 400lbft. :funk:
 
Last edited:

Hurdy

Yorkshire - born and bred
Oct 7, 2008
710
7
South Yorkshire
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.
 

Chudders

Active Member
May 1, 2017
79
4
UK
Nice thread, also cool to hear why people chose what they did, could help a potential buyer in the future.

Love the colour too [B)]
 

Xpo

Active Member
May 7, 2016
96
18
Sweden
Hurdy's 2016 Cupra

I see you have about the same impressions and thoughts about the car as I have. And I too opted for a Golf R or gti mk7, and ended up with the Cupra for the exact same reasons.
 
Last edited:

Hurdy

Yorkshire - born and bred
Oct 7, 2008
710
7
South Yorkshire
My e-tuners Stage 2 update.....

The car now goes as quick as it looks. The power and torque comes in very early in the Rev range 390 lbft and over from as low down as 2600rpm all the way to over 5500rpm, peaking at over 410lbft at just 3krpm and holding to 4krpm. Power peaks at over 400bhp with over 300bhp on tap at just 4krpm.
How does that translate into speed?

Well I can repeatedly run launches from 0-60mph in sub 5 seconds and the run from 60mph to 100mph is in the mid 4 seconds.
Next week will bring a trip to Santa Pod, where I will be hoping for a time under 12.5 and a terminal of around 118-120mph. This will be on full weight and road tyres using 99ron.
 

SteA

Active Member
Jan 12, 2016
226
61
Shrewsbury
Great numbers and I'm pleasantly surprised at the terminal speeds for the power, superb and good work. Makes me look forward to getting a custom map on my 280 :)
 
SEATCUPRA.NET Forum merchandise