New Cupra Test Drive

[Mr Cellotape]

Just test drove the new cupra

Had about a 45 minute test drive on both dual carriage ways, tight back roads and open back roads.

Where do I start?

The car is bags of fun to drive, with the steering feeling very precise, the suspension is firm and damps the bumps and undulations of the road so much better than my Bezza Cupra.

The brakes are fantastic, tried to send myself through the front window on the first few corners (those 345mm disks do a lot of work).

The car generally feels glued to the road and easily gives you a feeling of safety at high speeds (this means I didn't notice how fast I was going when I got to the corner ), however this can lead to some quite exciting cornering, you may even find yourself getting a little sideways action. I found the stability system didn't cut in early, which gave plenty of time for readjustment through the corner

The acceleration through the gears is great and when dropping into 3rd or 4th puts a smile on your face (as it did the sales guy who was sat next to me when I did it!)

The seating position was great and the odd shaped gear lever felt good and was just the right shape for some positive gear changing.

I'm not sure about the styling at the moment, what with the carbon fibre dashboard covering and the lack of distinctive Cupra bodywork, however the car in my mind is a great drivers car.

 

[Cupra R]

Yep, it made me smile too

Didn't want to drive back to the dealers.

 

[badtastebear]

we were able to take the cupra out on our own..great no salesman around

 

[Scotty_b]

Can i ask what you thought of the visabilty out ofthe front window?

 

[Mr Cellotape]

Can i ask what you thought of the visabilty out ofthe front window?

I take it you mean the front struts that obscure your view to both the right and left, if so it's not dissimilar to the Bezza, you kind of get used to nodding forwards and backwards in order to see more

I didn't want to take it back to the showroom either.

I think the sales guy was getting a buzz from the Cupra experiance as well, it was his first time out in anything so quick, he only asked me to slow down when I started getting it drifting Good lad! if only all salesmen were so laid back.

I've tried the Astra VXR as well, it's not a patch on the Seat in my view, the Seat just keeps on putting the power down in such a nice easy manner.

 

[Scotty_b]

Well it was just more the front window as the the angle it sits means you couldnt see much out of it? Or maybe its just because im a lanky bean. Im dreading if my local get a white one in, will have to drive the long way home so i dont drive past the garage!

I was speaking to the dealer and he was saying you can get the aero kit for £800 if you didnt like the looks of her. Its a shame the cupra looks like the FR but in a way thats its charm, you just odnt know what it is from the outside.

Wonder if Seat will stick to there "limited numbers" statment on the mk2 as they said that about the mk1 then added new colours, new specs and more than two per dealer

 

[Mr Cellotape]

No problems with the window, I'm only 5, 8" LOL

I don't think they will be sticking to limited numbers, I was chatting with the rep after and he said they will update the kit in about a year to 2 years time to something a bit more tasty, however from what others have said the side skirts make all the difference.

I have seen the aero kit on a silver FR locally, It looks great, should have been the Cupra kit.

 

[m0rk]

Wonder if Seat will stick to there "limited numbers" statment on the mk2 as they said that about the mk1 then added new colours, new specs and more than two per dealer

They've never said that about the Leon Cupra though... that's just dealers 'forcing' customers into placing orders

 

[Scotty_b]

They've never said that about the Leon Cupra though... that's just dealers 'forcing' customers into placing orders

Ah thats what i was told by the dealer this arvo and i couldnt help thinking ive heard that before thats why i rushed into getting mine! Saying all this its a very very good car. Loads of bits they dont seem to mention that to me are very nice touches

 

[P0LKR]

went for a test drive at W Livingstones this afternoon.

the cupra is totally awesome. so smooth in its power delivery. boy does it go and the brakes are just insanely strong.

thanks david for the test drive, really enjoyed it.

want one....NOW PLEEEEAAAASSSE

 

[neil_f225]

test drove one today at W Livingstones as well. Cant make my mind up about it. Is far more refined than my lcr and suspension is less crashy especially around town but felt it was still slightly too stiff over motorway undulations. Really good low end response but felt breathless top end - im sure Revo would sort that though. I think Golf Gti is comfier and better dash - but too dear once you spec it a bit, Focus st is more exciting - especially the engine, but too thirsty and not as well built. The biggest issue though is it looks too plain for the money.

 

[P0LKR]

neil,

they had 95 ron fuel in it too...that'll make a big difference

 

[ZBOYD]

We found the complete opposite when we did the media test, a bit lacking at the low end. But it loved being revved. If you drove it like a Leon R, then you missed the exciting bit, they come alive at over 5krpm, which tends to be when Leon R's start running out of grunt.

 

[neil_f225]

i did really like it and thought it was a big improvement on the old leon but just not sure it feels or looks special enough especially compared to other competitors. If they had priced it about 18k it would make it more competitive i think. I'll be keeping my lcr for a while anyway. Will need to drive a chipped one to compare properly.

 

[neil_f225]

i took it to 6.5k and it didnt feel that quick - although im used to my modified lcr so maybe isnt a fair comparison. As i have said I will wait and drive a remapped one.

 

[Mr Cellotape]

We found the complete opposite when we did the media test, a bit lacking at the low end. But it loved being revved. If you drove it like a Leon R, then you missed the exciting bit, they come alive at over 5krpm, which tends to be when Leon R's start running out of grunt.

I found the same, once the engine revs reach 5K its takes off and leaves you felling all warm inside

Just couldn't stop smilling everytime I got to 5K in the thing

 

[ZBOYD]

To be honest comparing it to a tuned LCR, your always going to be dissapointed, its on average around 20hp less and very likely a shed load of torque down on a tuned LCR. Having not had my LCR since December last year, it felt instantly rapid.

But it's far more eager than a standard LCR, and tuned i think it will be just as comparative to the huge difference people got when then went from std LCR to tuned LCR.

The rev band is far greater, LCR's would complain like anything when your taking them to to the top end of the limit, in fact I always changed around 5k to 5.5k in my LCR, simply because taking it any further was a waste of time. Better to work your way up the gearbox than screw the bollocks off a LCR.

However the FSI Turbo engine reminded me and m0rk of the 16v ABF engine from Ibiza GTi and Cordy SX fame. Loved to be ragged, and not a hint of complaint, just eager to please. Tuned this could be a gem of an engine.

 

[panholio]

neil,

they had 95 ron fuel in it too...that'll make a big difference

Good old dealers, nothing but the best for the most powerful car SEAT have ever produced.

 

[neil_f225]

yeah I would agree - cant wait to drive a tuned one!

 

[belgarion]

Great Sales Guy

My sales guy took us out and thrashed the car, then we pulled over and swapped and he said "Your go". I was pushing the handling on the car and he just looked at me afterwards and said "You like?" The best test drive ever..