New Leon Cupra Specification 2.0 TFSI 240 hp

[dangel]

I'll post my opinion up once I've been mate as I think we're thinking along similar lines along with a couple of other peeps

Certainly does seem to polarise opinions

Gotta say though the front seats look the bollox, and if they hold you better than the current Recaros I'd seriously think about getting a pair for the LCR

Polarise? That's an understatement - and I don't remember the same being said for the LCR looks-wise. Definitely two camps on this new car!
Yup - seats look really nice (but i'll admit to being a bit lardy so we'll see if i need to cut down on the pies) my only concern is interior quality 'feel' - particularly on the dash for example. Can someone prod the dash and tell us if they broke a nail?

 

[Ol' Timer]

Ultimately, from SEAT's point of view, how successful the design is depends on how many people buy one. Will the understated looks attract buyers who might have been scared off by something more youthful and racy looking? Only time will tell.

Is there anybody on here who was SERIOUSLY considering buying one and has now changed their mind on seeing the pics?

 

[El Vic]

What can I say - in real life it's a nice looking car. very very hard to photo well though. all the curves pick up all the lights

Just been down there with the tripod taking longer exposure shots (mainly of the black one as we're in a yellow wash with press images)

Can you elaborate a bit more on how you felt when you saw it? Did it blow your mind? Were you sweating and shivering? Do you now need post traumatic treatment? Finally, having seen it, would you get one if the price was to be £19K (with brembos)?

 

[El Vic]

Ultimately, from SEAT's point of view, how successful the design is depends on how many people buy one. Will the understated looks attract buyers who might have been scared off by something more youthful and racy looking? Only time will tell.

Is there anybody on here who was SERIOUSLY considering buying one and has now changed their mind on seeing the pics?

au contraire, I like it more after the picture in black. Will buy one if I love it when I see it, price is right and part-ex fair.

 

[YerMother]

I don't think it looks that understated at all! It does look quite menising from certain angles!

OK it looks fairly similar to the FR but so did the LC to the LCR to those people who don't know the difference! It's the whole package rather than the looks! The badge and the mahsooive brakes is enough for me!

 

[Icecavern]

That black looks like the old nissan colour you could get the skyline in, midnight purple or whatever it's called.

You know what, despite what I said, it that colour But I want 4wd :devil:

 

[Darth Tater]

Ultimately, from SEAT's point of view, how successful the design is depends on how many people buy one. Will the understated looks attract buyers who might have been scared off by something more youthful and racy looking? Only time will tell.

Is there anybody on here who was SERIOUSLY considering buying one and has now changed their mind on seeing the pics?

I remember seeing the LCR when it first came out and I just wanted one, mainly due to the bodykit, larger wheels, brembo's, recaro's etc. That effect was cheapened slightly by Seat then flogging the Mk 1 FR with similar bodykit etc late in the models life cycle . Fair play to them tho cos they seem to have shifted a fair few by doing that

Fortunately I had the dosh to get one so flogged the previous motor I had to a mate and went out and bought the LCR. I still love it now and still think it looks great over 3 years down the line

When the Leon Mk 2 came out I was keen to have a look knowing it was based on the Mk V golf platform etc which as has been stated handles about a million times better than the Mk 1 as standard. The Golf Mk V GTI then came out and given it's rave reviews this boded well for the sporty Mk 2 Leon's. Unfortuantely I was intially put off by the general styling and was hoping the more sporty models (FR and Cupra) would sort that out in some way. The concept Cupra also appeared to be pointing this way. I don't think they've done enough with it

Some people seem to think it's odd that some of us expected something with flared arches, bigger wheels etc. As far as I understand it, Seat is meant to be the 'sporty' arm of the VAG group so I think based on that and the LCR compared to the lesser Mk 1 Leon's at the time it was launched that hope was justified. Also, given the Mk 2 touring cars that seemed to allow potential for something special

Having just spent a fair wedge on modding the LCR it looks like I'll be keeping that for a while and maybe the Mk 3 Leon will fulfill my and others expectations

 

[dangel]

Ultimately, from SEAT's point of view, how successful the design is depends on how many people buy one. Will the understated looks attract buyers who might have been scared off by something more youthful and racy looking? Only time will tell.

Is there anybody on here who was SERIOUSLY considering buying one and has now changed their mind on seeing the pics?

SEAT biggest sales are in 'hot' models tho - and the LCR wasn't hardly understated. I don't think i'm put off by the pics - the specs matter more to me - i.e. what do i get for the money - is DSG extra? Are brembo's extra? I suspect Brembos are part of the UK spec but we lack a headline price figure as yet. I reckon it ticks most of the boxes (i've highlighted where it hasn't already) - but i'm waiting for exact equipment levels, options, prices etc. On looks alone it's not blowing me away but perhaps it looks a heck of a lot better in the metal.

I really liked the touring car version with flared arches (saw one on the road [papworth st. everard] - assume this was a dealer promotion car or something - and nearly crashed rubbernecking it was that good) so i'll echo the feeling they could of done more with the Cupra to make it stand out (remembering it's the replacement for the LCR) from the rest of the pack.

Just tell me you don't prefer how goddamn mean this looks:

 

[Syphon]

Topgear story here:

http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/951/

"Chrome surround may be replaced by polished black"

Scott

 

[Icecavern]

Just tell me you don't prefer how goddamn mean this looks:

I'd definately think about buying that but not in yella

 

[dangel]

Looks better from that angle (topgear's pic too). They also say 20k..
Polished black? I reckon they should have a big evil red neon surround that gets brighter the more you rev it

 

[dangel]

I'd definately think about buying that but not in yella

C'mon Pete - go Yella - real men choose yella (or in my case I seem to remember the wife did)

 

[ZBOYD]

Mark was telling me earlier, the B pillars are shiny black too, rather than the usual grey coverings. Car isnt a final sign off though, as it says, full prices and spec will follow later in the year.

Autocar writeup involves a lot of fabrication too.

 

[Ol' Timer]

Just tell me you don't prefer how goddamn mean this looks:

Yes it looks good but I'm sure there is no way that would be produced as a production car. The splitter on the bumper is hardly pedestrian friendly and I don't think SEAT would appreciate all the claims for speed bump damage to sumps and front bumpers if it was that low.

If you make those changes surely you have then got the new Cupra but with flared arches. I am sure there will be several body kits available to make up the difference if you want it.

 

[SixDegrees]

On that TopGear report its says top speed 153mph. Which is what the MKIV R32 was meant to have.... it went faster than that!

VAG, in line with other German cars, limit cars which have a top speed in excess of 155mph, but if the official figure is 153mph, that means no limiter - of to the Ring with it then ???

Also, that pic in the TopGear report looks anything but understated. Its subtle but it has presence by the bucket load. Looks stunning!

 

[dangel]

Yes it looks good but I'm sure there is no way that would be produced as a production car. The splitter on the bumper is hardly pedestrian friendly and I don't think SEAT would appreciate all the claims for speed bump damage to sumps and front bumpers if it was that low.

I was thinking of a nice sharp metal edge to the splitter to take care of those pesky cyclists..

If you make those changes surely you have then got the new Cupra but with flared arches. I am sure there will be several body kits available to make up the difference if you want it.

I guess my take on it is i'd want the flared arches (with perhaps even a wider track) and the rear end could of be done better - dual exhausts a la BTCC kit and perhaps a bit more sculpting. Oh heck, i'm no car designer - but I just love something that really stands out.

Plus they need to provide an even more leary colour than ovni this time round - something to singe the eyeballs of other drivers on a sunny day..

 

[Ol' Timer]

I was thinking of a nice sharp metal edge to the splitter to take care of those pesky cyclists..

I suppose it would double up as a lawnmower, which would make it better value.

 

[dangel]

I suppose it would double up as a lawnmower, which would make it better value.

It's got potential - of course it'd need a seriously good turning circle for my garden..

 

[ZBOYD]

Wider track, wider tyres, more expensive to replace, non standard sizes often mean more money, rubber is expenive enough as it is.

As i said earlier in this thread, production costs versus what the public will pay, totally blow what you think you want out the water, as its totally unrealistic.

If it was in a £30k price bracket, maybe possibly, but it isn't and non of the segment competition are producing a car like that.

Its a mass produced hot hatchback, exactly like the Cupra R before it. Its not a custom built racing car.

BTW if you want one of those racing cars, SEAT Sport UK should be selling them for next years championship Im sure they'll be 2-3 times the cost of the Leon Cupra.

 

[Darth Tater]

Pic above is certainly more what I was hoping for with a more realistic front splitter and ride height obv

The Top Gear pic is a good angle for it but I'm still not that excited