New CUPRA R officially confirmed
- Thread starter Cupra-CY
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- confirmed cupra officially
My Mk2 Cupra actually seems to get more positive comments than my Cupra R ever did, both have a firm place in my affections though.
I do like the new Cupra R in that it's very samey as my own Mk2, but lacks that sparkle that the Cupra R had in the past. I think DSG would of been a huge draw for this car and it appears at the moment anyway like it will be manual only.
I do like the new Cupra R in that it's very samey as my own Mk2, but lacks that sparkle that the Cupra R had in the past. I think DSG would of been a huge draw for this car and it appears at the moment anyway like it will be manual only.
or could it be that badge snobbery from the testers , i test drove an ST didnt do it for me , the VXR is too agressive , the Cupra is a great all round package , dont forget these testers combine track action with road action , the Cupra is the ideal all rounder and great value with great residuls over other marks.
Jab0rnal
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Well, I’m going to stick my neck out and say I like it. I think that the CUPRA is a great looking car, with the 'R' badges on it gives it that exclusivity. Which may be very exclusive judging by this thred, I may be the only one with a MKII LCR. 
I have a MKII CUPRA at the moment and will give the R some serious consideration. Yes the styling could have been more, but I like it as it is. I'll feel good driving an R version with the facelift making the interior and the exterior that bit better than mine. If the R is about 21K ill think about it, seriously. If it’s more ill stick with my Cupra and mod the living $*&t out of it.
I guess one point is why wasn’t my Cupra “this car” in the first place. But then why wasn’t my 1st car, an E reg polo.
Is worth waiting before slating.
I have a MKII CUPRA at the moment and will give the R some serious consideration. Yes the styling could have been more, but I like it as it is. I'll feel good driving an R version with the facelift making the interior and the exterior that bit better than mine. If the R is about 21K ill think about it, seriously. If it’s more ill stick with my Cupra and mod the living $*&t out of it.
I guess one point is why wasn’t my Cupra “this car” in the first place. But then why wasn’t my 1st car, an E reg polo.
Is worth waiting before slating.
Yeah could be true, but I also mean actual track times. The only car the Mk2 Cupra ever beats round the track is the FN2 Type R...
How often do you drive a car on a track? In fact I think it's pretty lame of the mags to compare road cars under race-track conditions anyway as most people who are into track days will modify their cars accordingly with uprated suspension brakes etc..
You can't drive at the limit on the open road, however idiotic the driver might be.
Road cars rarely employ race car car ESP or suspension components.
Most racing drivers I've spoken to, including Plato, Huff , Pickford to name drop just a few, one of the first things they do to a road car they are taking on a track is either disable the ESP/TCS/ABS if it has the option or pull the fuses associated with those systems.
The point I'm trying to make that on a race track those systems are usually an obstruction to a decent laptime, if the driver has some talent he wouldn't require them to be turned on.
You can't drive at the limit on the open road, however idiotic the driver might be.
Road cars rarely employ race car car ESP or suspension components.
Most racing drivers I've spoken to, including Plato, Huff , Pickford to name drop just a few, one of the first things they do to a road car they are taking on a track is either disable the ESP/TCS/ABS if it has the option or pull the fuses associated with those systems.
The point I'm trying to make that on a race track those systems are usually an obstruction to a decent laptime, if the driver has some talent he wouldn't require them to be turned on.
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Poor things getting slated on Pistonheads:-
Interesting to see other people's view of the Leon also.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=735482&mid=0&i=0&nmt=RE: Leon Cupra R - The Hottest SEAT Ever&mid=0
Cheers
RickyD
Interesting to see other people's view of the Leon also.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=735482&mid=0&i=0&nmt=RE: Leon Cupra R - The Hottest SEAT Ever&mid=0
Cheers
RickyD
True, I guess the mags can simply use a track test as a way of objectively testing a car to its full potential, but you're right - in most cases it's road manners which matter overall. This probably explains why the Mk5/6 GTI wins every group test, with a fast but comfortable and exploitable road setup.
Zboyd, sounds quite cool - do you get to meet the SEAT team being the SCN 'pimp daddy'
Zboyd, sounds quite cool - do you get to meet the SEAT team being the SCN 'pimp daddy'
You must read different magazines and road tests than me then lad. The MPS and VXR usually always end up behind the Cupra. What normally stops the Cupra getting on better is image, interior, uncompromising ride and over assisted brakes.
I pay no notice to track times as they have absolutely no relevance in day to day driving.
To sum it up, if you can live with the image and interior, the ride can be improved on as can the feel of the brakes - I would still buy a Cupra out of the current line up of hot hatches if thats all that there was the choice of. Luckily, things like 135i and 335i BMW's exist out there though
I'm dissapointed that its not more unique, and I think on the most part those that like the Mk2 shape probably still like this new Cupra R. It's certainly not offensive, in my own opinion.
But on a historical basis it's just not got the feeling it's a cut above the regular Mk2 Cupra, pre facelift or not. When of course the Mk1 LCR did have that little something extra that superficially at least made it a brand leader.
But on a historical basis it's just not got the feeling it's a cut above the regular Mk2 Cupra, pre facelift or not. When of course the Mk1 LCR did have that little something extra that superficially at least made it a brand leader.
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True, I guess the mags can simply use a track test as a way of objectively testing a car to its full potential, but you're right - in most cases it's road manners which matter overall. This probably explains why the Mk5/6 GTI wins every group test, with a fast but comfortable and exploitable road setup.
Zboyd, sounds quite cool - do you get to meet the SEAT team being the SCN 'pimp daddy'
Bumped into them once or twice over the years yes.
Don't have them on speed dial or anything, well Huffy i do But had enough of a chance over the years to ask questions like that.I saw Huffy almost put a Mk1 LCR road car into the kitty litter at Donington with a corporate guest becuase he forgot the car had a rear beam axle and not independent like the Supercopas did, so he attacked the corner a little beyond the cars ability.
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From PistonHeads
pilchardthecat said:I agree.FWDRacer said:
And it looks much nicer than the Cupra - it doesn't have that hideous body kit with al the pointless gashes and gussetts (eg in the rear bumper). It's actually pretty restrained styling wise compared to other hot hatches. I quite like it, and i'm generally a bit of a VAG hater
edit to add photo of the previous, hideous abomination
Edit: Just noticed this pic
Not exactly stunning from the front, is it?
As someone pointed out, in that colour and with those wing mirrors,
The original MK2 Leon Cupra looks a lot better IMO
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Interesting the old rear beam question (I know it drives EvoStu mad when ppl complain on the Civic forum). Other than the FN2 I think the R26 still has one doesn't it...
I don’t think its SEATs best work, but our Mk2s or now the Mk2.5 don’t photo very well they look a lot better in the flesh – although perhaps the rear ¾ is not the best angle. I constantly get positive comments on my FR from all age groups and I think the PH guys have been a little harsh.
I had long test drives in the Leon, VXR and ST and although all had their own merits as an overall ownership package and value for money the Leon ticked most boxes, its not perfect – IMO the ride I still find too hard when I’m not in the mood, the steering feel is not the best and the interior is pretty dull but try speccing a GTi to the spec of my car and you would have no change from £25k
Rob
I had long test drives in the Leon, VXR and ST and although all had their own merits as an overall ownership package and value for money the Leon ticked most boxes, its not perfect – IMO the ride I still find too hard when I’m not in the mood, the steering feel is not the best and the interior is pretty dull but try speccing a GTi to the spec of my car and you would have no change from £25k
Rob
Regarding XDS, didn't the mk1 cupra have a electronic limited slip diff as well? I'm pretty damn sure it did/does. The thing is: it doesnt work above speeds of 25mph. Does this new system (with X at the start of the name.. ooooh) work at speed or is it just marketing?
Also, I have to agree with the comment on PH that its just too damn far off the ground. One of the key features of a 'sporty' car you want it to look as low as possible but the ride height on that makes it look like its on tip-toes.
One thing i will say about the mk2 is that it looks a lot better in the flesh than it does in pictures but IMO the new R doesnt shout 'hooligan' at you like the styling of the mk1. Shame.
Also, I have to agree with the comment on PH that its just too damn far off the ground. One of the key features of a 'sporty' car you want it to look as low as possible but the ride height on that makes it look like its on tip-toes.
One thing i will say about the mk2 is that it looks a lot better in the flesh than it does in pictures but IMO the new R doesnt shout 'hooligan' at you like the styling of the mk1. Shame.
Having studied the pictures of the LCR and the LC, I actually prefer the LC for the same reason - the height. Also, I have never been a fan of wheels are are too large, but having had a set of lightweight 18's on my Cupra, I am aware of the difference a few kg's on a wheel can make to performance.
I am thinking that as these wheels are obviously the same as the Cupra's, but bigger, they are gonna be heavier.
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