MK2 Leon Cupra R - SCN Week Long Road Test

[stevie steve]

I was lucky enough to hear this car from the outside and inside and it sounds great.

When driving to our shoot location, it just sounds like a normal cupra and as expected of course. When on a more quieter road and where Syphon could open the taps a little more.

The car sounds like its trying to get out of they tyres!!

Its a great noise, hard to distinguish if its from the back or the front you hear it. And like has been mentioned a tad addictive.

Bit of a windy day, but I think if you turn it up a little, you'll get a good idea of that throaty cupra R Roar.

I did want to get some more interior shots, as the first were not that good.

Hope you like the rest of the shots.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

Great vid and pics.
Out of interest purely on the wrap side of things, how have they finished it in the door jams and around the bonnet area, ie. is the original body colour visible when you open the door?

On the noise front, I wonder whether it has the sound resonator thingy that the sporty mk6 Golfs and, I believe, new Ibiza Cupras have? My mk6 Golf sounds quite throaty from inside the car under acceleration thanks to the little gadget.

 

[jezyg]

Great vid and pics.
Out of interest purely on the wrap side of things, how have they finished it in the door jams and around the bonnet area, ie. is the original body colour visible when you open the door?

On the noise front, I wonder whether it has the sound resonator thingy that the sporty mk6 Golfs and, I believe, new Ibiza Cupras have? My mk6 Golf sounds quite throaty from inside the car under acceleration thanks to the little gadget.

The Leon FR and Cupra have this I belive as well. The wrapping only goes on the outside pannels up to the lip so you will see the orginal body colour round the boot and inside door and sill area.

 

[Syphon]

The car's normal colour is gloss black so you don't really notice the joins unless you really inspect it. Probably be a different case if it was white underneath.

Scott

 

[Dude]

Does sound nice. Good shots and vid too.

 

[Al]

Just as a comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTAgjFdChVY - Focus RS Revving

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0jCCChp7qE - Focus RS Inside

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUCTmZbG8Rk - Focus RS Outside


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlUiqAlivFk&feature=related - Astra VXR Nurburgring Revving

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV8ZURywBbQ&feature=related - Astra VXR Nurburgring Inside

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFYB7qwAufI&feature=related - Astra VXR Nurburgring Outside

 

[Kev Hall2]

If I ingnore the wrap which I think is well done, having looked at all the pics it just does not look different enough from the standard car to get that exited about. That goes for the sound as well. Given how easy it is to get more power on the standard car, I don't personally think the R is worth the extra unless £3-5 K is petty cash, which I appreciate it is for many. Agree the back looks better though.

Think the Ford RS looks better but the three doors makes it a pain to live with if you have kids getting in and out of the back, at least that's what my wife rulled when I wanted one.

Overall really happy with the FL Cupra, which is lucky really as I had no idea the R was due our 12 months after buying it.

 

[hamps_w]

Kev, i agree with what you say about the not looking special enough. But seat do have abit of a niche here. I have 2 kids and living with a 3 door would just be too much like hard work. The focus looks nice, but practical it it not, especially when you consider fuel costs. S3 sportbacks are way too much....and the renault, well......its a renault so i have doubts on reliability, residuals and long term costs. Whilst the cupra r doesnt seem worth the extra at first, if you spec a cupra to a similar level (including after market mods) then that price doesnt look so bad. And when it comes to resale and residuals you have for all intense and purposes the top of the range seat that there will only be a small amount of. Not, the next model down with modifications. Then of course there is warranty etc to consider when modding a cupra to match (and exceed) a cupra r in terms of power.

For those reasons i have just ordered a cupra r, over a cupra. Although my decision was made easier by the fact that i have been given a cash allowance by work!!

 

[Al]

Whilst the cupra r doesnt seem worth the extra at first, if you spec a cupra to a similar level (including after market mods) then that price doesnt look so bad.

This is also down to to preference too really though isnt it. Not everyone likes/wants leather, and on the LCR, you have a choice - take it or leave it, and it costs £1500 if you spec it on a Cupra.

Otherwise, the standard spec is very similar between the two cars. Looks wise, the spoiler, valence and exhaust can be had for £750.

For sure the Cupra is not and will never be a Cupra R or as quick as standard, but you dont have 19" wheel ride quuality, 4x4 ride height and as expensive tyres on the Cupra either.

As you rightly said though, the R is the range topper, but given the minimal differences between it and the Cupra, I believe the Cupra would be no more/less a financial risk given that it costs 20% less in the first place.

 

[Syphon]

I have to say on ride quality, it is better than my Cupra. It doesn't seem quite as crashy and handling is that bit tighter. I can't say the 19" wheels have made things any worse.

Scott

 

[rockape]

I think I'm in the 'not worth the extra over the cupra' camp. Seat have not gone far enough with the styling or power to make it a 'niche' car....20bhp in the real world is nowt to write home about! It sounds just like my FL Cupra, still has the crappy plastics and all the performance upgrades and more can be had for a lot less.
I suppose it's horses for courses though and it's still cheaper than the Golf and the Scirroco, but I could think of better places to sit for 25k.

 

[hamps_w]

but I could think of better places to sit for 25k.

Like what? Just out of interest?

 

[lcrb]

I test drove the new cupra r yesterday and have to say I was quite impressed. Ride quality was good and the noise when you open it on the motorway the noise!!! It had the tech pack on it I found the multimedia touch screen quite easy to do

 

[Poverty]

Like what? Just out of interest?

Focus RS, Megane sport, VW scirocco.

 

[hamps_w]

Focus RS, Megane sport, VW scirocco.

Ahhh, not with a four year old and 4 month old!!! 3 doors would be a major pain in the posterior!!!

 

[Poverty]

Ahhh, not with a four year old and 4 month old!!! 3 doors would be a major pain in the posterior!!!

Very true, this is what I love best about my leon, the stealthy 4 doors! Im definetly gonna miss that when she goes.

 

[Jacey Boy]

Why no skirts??

 

[ZBOYD]

They need to sort those SEAT centre caps out, the logos are peeling.

 

[rockape]

Like what? Just out of interest?

Like this?

http://www.arnoldclark.com/images/blocks_png/FORD/FOCUS/3DR/09ForFocRs3drGrnFL1_350.png

IMO

 

[lc_allan]

They need to sort those SEAT centre caps out, the logos are peeling.

Peeling on LCR wheels, hmmm sure I've heard of that before