As good a car as it no doubt is (i've resisted the temptation to test drive one, so far).. it will never be the cult type car that the CupraR was, and thats for a number of reasons.
1. It looks too ordinary, and looks too similar to the FR.
2. It's power output is nothing to shout about anymore.... when the first CupraR came out, even in 210bhp form it was something of a milestone for a FWD hot hatch.
3. The last R made a very good job out of what is a very poor chassis - off all the VAG group cars on that platform, only the CupraR and the R32 made a real fun drive out of it. This made both cars quite unique, in an odd sort of way.
4. Price. Last time round, the R had so few in terms of competition, it was an absolute steal for around £17k. Now priced higher, and with a Golf GTI that actually goes and handles, the incentive for paying slightly less for a marginallly improved car that will depreciate quicker and has a poorer interior isnt a very sensible one.
A year old CupraR is more appealing to be honest... both in price and in driving terms. In essence its probably no slower and has more presence.
I'm not debating the new chassis is a corker.... i've driven my mates GTI enough to know that, and it can handle so much more than 200bhp easily. It's just that the VW is such a great all round package, plus the fact there are some serious alternatives now outside of the VAG brand, that the Cupra is somewhat missing the target.
(See last months Top Gear mag...he seemed to like the Type R)
