SEAT tried to get sales figures out by doing the following;
1) Taking a bunch of 1P
MK2 SEAT Leon Cupra's
2) The original Cupra Bumpers were removed and replaced with Aero Bumpers at the port of entry. Side skirts, rear spoiler, central exhaust and "
K1"
badge was also fitted
3) The serial numbers of said cars were logged by SEAT UK so that it resembled the different parts frrom the Cupra (bumpers, exhaust) and additional parts (skirts, spoiler and
badge)
4) The Cupra
K1 was sold alongside the Cupra as a non limited run production model, and it carried a price premium
Some facts about the Cupra
K1.
1) The Cupra
K1 has no power/mechanical advantage over the Cupra
2) There was no facelift Cupra
K1
3) Cupra
K1's sell for silly money second hand despite the minimal cosmetic difference from the Cupra. It is not unusual to see 2 year newer facelift Cupra's with low miles, manufacturers warranty and higher spec be up for sale at a lower price than a 2008 Cupra
K1
4) 10/59 plate Cupra R's have been up for sale for less money than a Cupra
K1 and the Cupra R is a rarer car than the Cupra
K1, has higher spec, higher power and a better "
badge/panache".
5) Many Cupra
K1 say Cupra TFSI 240 on the V5, same as a Cupra.
6) The Cupra, Cupra
K1 and Cupra R were not numbered, limited run or special production.
6) Many people have added the Aero Skirts/Spoiler/Bumpers/Central Exhaust/Cupra
K1 badge to a Cupra and there is no physical way to tell the difference other than the finish/fit on the body kit of an "original" Cupra
K1 is reportedly poorer on many examples than a body
shop kit fitted afterward.
7) The only way to tell the difference between a Cupra with an Aero kit,
K1 badge and central exhaust and Cupra
K1 is to call and ask SEAT if they can confirm a chassis number was originally sold as a Cupra
K1. You might be lucky and get a reply to that request.
8) You could probably buy a 2008 Leon Cupra for £7k, fit the Aero kit,
K1 badge and central exhaust for £2k and try to sell it for £11k and someone will probably pay the money in the belief they are getting something special even thought they could have a 60 plate facelift Cupra with a Tech Pack, balance of warranty, lower miles and in better condition for the same or less money
.
9) If someone liked the Aero kit and central exhaust so much, they could put the rear Aero Bumper from the Cupra
K1 on a facelift Cupra and match it with the Aero front bumper from a facelift Leon, side skirts and bootlid spoiler, central exhaust and
K1 badge to create a "facelift" Cupra
K1 which no doubt could be sold to someone as some sort of freak "special edition car". For sure, it would be unique albeit a personal creation.
10) Cupra R is, and always has been, the top model in the Leon range. Not the Cupra
K1.
