I agree with all of your different comments. Seats look fantastic. Car is subtley understated (I like Q cars) and should be priced keenly.
I know it's better built, more modern, handles better, rides better etc etc. but the performance figures really aren't any better than the LCR which is now getting a bit long in the tooth. Surely it wouldn't have been too much to ask to give it a bit more shove? I know acceleration from rest isn't everything but it would be nice to break 6 seconds 0-60 (to outpace the Megane 225), and a bit more mid-range (to outpace the VXR).
I know it's better built, more modern, handles better, rides better etc etc. but the performance figures really aren't any better than the LCR which is now getting a bit long in the tooth. Surely it wouldn't have been too much to ask to give it a bit more shove? I know acceleration from rest isn't everything but it would be nice to break 6 seconds 0-60 (to outpace the Megane 225), and a bit more mid-range (to outpace the VXR).
The spy photos were the real deal then. 
http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphot.../seat/seat-leon-cupra-and-leon-suv-spy-photos
Scott
http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphot.../seat/seat-leon-cupra-and-leon-suv-spy-photos
Scott
BeeSix said:
I'm glad they didn't. By the time you add heated / electrically-folding mirrors, plus side repeaters then it costs £££££££££s to replace when some tw@t hits them.
ZBOYD said:
Isn't that what the FR is there for? Catering for the mass market.
I personally believe that the cupra should stand for something far more dramatic, which, based on these photos it doesn't seem to.
Great spec tho otherwise
NeilW said:
I think they've done what most manufacturers have done, released a more modern car that has the same performance as the previous version, i.e. new clio, new type r etc
all have more power but aren't actually much quicker due to the extra weight
new Leon Cupra has 6% more weight so has 6% more power and 6% more torque, seems they intended from the start not to make it much quicker than the LCR just at least as good
Nope, because this car is a mass market car, its not a supercar, or a prestige, its built to compete in the big bad market forces driven world of Hot Hatchbacks, Golf GTi, Astra VXR, Focus ST, etc etc
Basically the most popular consumer driven market segment, is the family hatchback sector, now the hot hatchbacks are obviously an off shoot of this, but its still in a popular sector for 25-40 year old, young professional family orientated persons, who want a quick car, that can do the shopping and take the kids out also.
If it was supposed to be something more dramatic, it would be a true Coupe, 3 doors, mid engined and about as practical as stilt walking in a midgets club.
Basically the most popular consumer driven market segment, is the family hatchback sector, now the hot hatchbacks are obviously an off shoot of this, but its still in a popular sector for 25-40 year old, young professional family orientated persons, who want a quick car, that can do the shopping and take the kids out also.
If it was supposed to be something more dramatic, it would be a true Coupe, 3 doors, mid engined and about as practical as stilt walking in a midgets club.
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you're right, seems to be same height from the side on the teaser picture, although you can't see it clearly. Again, something worth checking at the Motor Show.fivetones said:
. As far as I know, the suspension on the LCR is lower than on the LC, so you would expect same thing here, or maybe not this time...
oi_nutter2000 said:
I'll second that. I think Cupra is intended to an even smaller niche than FR, so you would expect it to be more agressive, a bit like what happened in 2003 between LCR and LC. Producing an LCR that stands out made it a success in Britain, the biggest market for the LCR. So clearly, that marketing strategy paid off. Therefore, why change it?
The LCR was the cherry on the cake, and was never itended to the masses in the first place, and SEAT were very surprised with its huge success over here. In a similar way, when Ford made the Focus RS, the intention was purely to reinforce their sporty image. Didn't they even lose money with every unit made?A different body kit and the exclusivity that goes with it was, in my mind, a strong incentive - on top of the Brembos an 18'' rims - for paying more for a slightly more powerfull car. Without the body kit, the reasons for getting the Cupra over the FR become less obvious. Back in 2003. some journalists would already advise to stick to the FR (Cupra at the time), much better value for money.
I think it's a question of tight budget and cost cutting. If we put things into perspective, didn't VAG warn SEAT a few months ago that they would need to cut costs in the short term to remain profitable?
If they can get £ 2,000 / 3,000 more for an FR with bigger wheels and a tweaked petrol management software, without costly bumper redesign and manufacture, given the circumstances, I can see the temptation of going ahead with it. As for the specs, don't get me wrong, I find them ok, but they remain, in my view, only marginally better than the mk1. It's a bit like what happened when they changed the LCR 210 for the LCR 225 and asked £1,000 more. According to a spanish car magazine back in 2002 ("Automovil" n. 29, April 2002), the actual power of the LCR 210 was already 218 bhp, using a Datron-Corevit EEP3 test device and a Bosch FLA203 bench.
I can see SEAT not selling as many Cupras as expected (following mk1's success) and more FRs. And 1-2 years down the line, they'll offer the 260 bhp version from the new Audi S3, with a revamped body kit, one hopes
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Syphon said:The spy photos were the real deal then.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphot.../seat/seat-leon-cupra-and-leon-suv-spy-photos
Scott
It's a shame they got rid of the big lights, they would have made it stand out more next to an FR
Bob
El Vic said:
Hear, hear. When I bought the LCR there was a lot of difference between it and the CR, enough to make me pay the extra. Sad to say it, but if I was in the market for a new car now the Cupra would not be at the top of the list - which is where I so wanted it to be. My expectations were way too high
Bob
Hmmm, verdict is out on this one for me, somehow I was expecting it to be far more evolved from the FR given that the FR is a 'SEAT go faster model', and the Cupra is supposed to be 'Works inspired'. Its OK, but whether its good enough compared to the new competition (Type R Mk2, Focus RS Mk2) remains to be seen. At least they got to pilfer the VW parts bins for some seats, otherwise it would have been borderline ordinary.
As has been said before I literally drooled the first time I entered a SEAT dealership to get the Ibiza serviced and there sat an Black R Mk1 in full valetted glory. I knew immediately I had to get one at any cost. I'm just not getting the same draw to this one. The current R is so good I went back for a 2nd one!
I'm going to wait for some expert verdicts on here before I part with any more cash on this one. As bent as it seems I've been considering the new TT 2.0T (which is still unfortunately 2wd), but maybe the new S3 will offer the 4wd that will make better use of the power.
Too much choice, too little money :-(
As has been said before I literally drooled the first time I entered a SEAT dealership to get the Ibiza serviced and there sat an Black R Mk1 in full valetted glory. I knew immediately I had to get one at any cost. I'm just not getting the same draw to this one. The current R is so good I went back for a 2nd one!
I'm going to wait for some expert verdicts on here before I part with any more cash on this one. As bent as it seems I've been considering the new TT 2.0T (which is still unfortunately 2wd), but maybe the new S3 will offer the 4wd that will make better use of the power.
Too much choice, too little money :-(
20vtB0b said:Hear, hear. When I bought the LCR there was a lot of difference between it and the CR, enough to make me pay the extra. Sad to say it, but if I was in the market for a new car now the Cupra would not be at the top of the list - which is where I so wanted it to be. My expectations were way too high
Bob
I'm sorry but what exactly was the difference between the Mk1 LC and the LCR? As far as I can tell it was about 40 extra BHP, different seats, bigger wheels and Brembo brakes. The styling was also a little different but not so much that it made much difference.
Is that not the same now?
I appreciate that everyone was expecting lots of different things but all that Seat have done is made the LC that little bit faster, put nicer seats in it, given it bigger wheels and brembo brakes.
What were you expecting really?
Jablad said:
As many have said, something that looks recognisably different from the FR. With the LCR/LC the front bumper/spoiler was a big giveaway and is what made the LCR 'look' like the sort of car I wanted to own. The new Cupra/FR looks OK, but just doesn't do 'it' for me
I suspect that in a few years time Seat will release an even sportier one that does tick all the boxes, it's just a shame they weren't a little more adventurous now. Don't get me wrong, the new Cupra is a good car - it's just I think that it could have been a much better car with a little bit more effort.Bob
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