The New Leon Cupra, is it what you expected ?

[20vtB0b]

Following on from the other thread(s), it looks like people are split into two camps on this, those of us who are less than impressed and those who think it is the bees knees.

A poll should sort it out for us

Bob

 

[Syphon]

LOL at the first option.

Scott

 

[SixDegrees]

I picked other. Its not quite what I was exptecting. I haven't fallen madly in love with it, but I do like and I think it works well the way they've put it together.

I reserve judgement until I see one in the flesh

 

[El Vic]

I'm not over the moon, like I was with the LCR, but let's reserve final judgement till I see it.

 

[Maler]

Looks good just like the other new Leons. However it is missing the certain something that makes the MK1 LCR look like something special.

They had to do something amazing to make this look as good as the MK1 and thay have failed in my eyes.

 

[dangel]

I put down not sure yet... As I said in the other thread I want to drive it first (i'll stop there before someone gets upset).

 

[Ruddmeister]

I'll wait till I see it on the road before I pass judgement

 

[spyke85]

looks great to me, and I am sure the seats are the same as the RS4 ones

 

[acidstrato]

would have prefered to see atleast 260hp tbh and abit more detail on the rear end cos its quite round

 

[Snoopcousins]

Not quite what i was expecting, but its a Cupra and I love it anyway!
Seats are class, as are the pedals. I'd love one if i could afford it. Maybe in a couple of years....

Nice in Black, looks like a larger Ibiza...

 

[dangel]

Nice in Black, looks like a larger Ibiza...

or a toledo..

or a altea..

 

[GRD]

Just not special enough

Where's the front splitter

Where are the sporty sideskirts

Where is the 'special' front grille

Why do those alloys look heavy, awkward and small

Where are the twin exhausts like all its competitors have

Where is the bigger tailgate spoiler


Need I go on. I think Seat have missed the point on this one folks


Hardly radical, blink and you'll think its an FR, seems to me that they've left plenty of scope for a Cupra R


I'm afraid that all things considered, especially depreciation, image and dodgy build quality, my money won't be spent on this one

 

[carl4x4]

I think it looks like what I expected. Seat kind of shot themselves in the foot a bit when they launched the TFSI Sport, it is perilously close to the FR spec so they had to make that different by effectively changing its clothes and not much else.

Trouble is when they come to launch the Cupra the exterior is what makes it stand out at first impressions, which of course is b@gger all different from the FR...

 

[SixDegrees]

would have prefered to see atleast 260hp tbh and abit more detail on the rear end cos its quite round

But that would need 4WD (which I'd like) and yes the rear is a bit lacking.

260hp and 4WD.... ohh, sounds like the new S3 and it wouldn't do if SEAT had the same performance as Audi, and better looking!

 

[guss]

Just not special enough

Where's the front splitter

Where are the sporty sideskirts

Where is the 'special' front grille

Why do those alloys look heavy, awkward and small

Where are the twin exhausts like all its competitors have

Where is the bigger tailgate spoiler


Need I go on. I think Seat have missed the point on this one folks


Hardly radical, blink and you'll think its an FR, seems to me that they've left plenty of scope for a Cupra R


I'm afraid that all things considered, especially depreciation, image and dodgy build quality, my money won't be spent on this one

Exactly what i was thinking GRD, Not sure about the alloys , Shes crying out for better body styling its got to stand out from the crowd.

 

[El Vic]

the skirts are way bigger on the LCR, without going OTT:
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/uploads/seat_1.jpg

they seem non existent on the the new Cupra!
http://www.seatcupra.net/seat_news/seat_worldwide_news/the_new_seat_leon_cupra.html

Generally speaking, and purely based on the pictures, the LCR looks better than the Cupra IMO.

 

[slimtater]

When the LCR arrived on the market, there was virtually nothing with the same spec for the price - 210/225PS, 18" alloys, Brembos, 6 speed box etc. all for under £18k.
Same this time - very little with 240PS, 345mm brakes, decent seats, good spec for a lot less than £20k (hopefully).
The other way to think about it is that your average LCR driver will be around 5 years older than they were when the LCR was launched and may want something a little more subtle yet stay loyal to the brand. I know I do. Park your new Cupra next to a new Golf GTi or Octy vRS and it will look even better.

 

[driveforward]

Exterior - bang on what I expected, looking better in the black than all the yellow pics we keep seeing; although I do understand what's making people say that it's not as distinctive in styling differences as what the LCR was over the MY03 Cupra or later, FR.

The seats look great, the steering wheel and dials look good.. it's just such a shame the dashboard is so bland and plastic, especially around the climate control etc.

 

[El Vic]

When the LCR arrived on the market, there was virtually nothing with the same spec for the price - 210/225PS, 18" alloys, Brembos, 6 speed box etc. all for under £18k.
Same this time - very little with 240PS, 345mm brakes, decent seats, good spec for a lot less than £20k (hopefully).
The other way to think about it is that your average LCR driver will be around 5 years older than they were when the LCR was launched and may want something a little more subtle yet stay loyal to the brand. I know I do. Park your new Cupra next to a new Golf GTi or Octy vRS and it will look even better.

In 2003, there was a £2k gap between the Cupra and the Cupra R, priced at £17K, and indeed you had all those extras.

If SEAT anounces a 20k price tag, it means that you need to spend £3k more than the LCR 210. And what do you get for that?

- 30 bhp,
- loss of exclusive body kit,
- maybe better seats (to be tested)
- independant rear suspension and hopefully better ride (to be tested)

That sounds like a lot of cash for little improvement over the previous generation.

I like the Cupra (based on the pictures), but maybe not enough to justify a difference of 3K over my LCR. For that, it would have had to seriously rock.

Now if it's priced at 19k, it's a different story

 

[slimtater]

In 2003, there was a £2k gap between the Cupra and the Cupra R, priced at £17K, and indeed you had all those extras.

If SEAT anounces a 20k price tag, it means that you need to spend £3k more than the LCR 210. And what do you get for that?

- 40 bhp,
- loss of exclusive body kit,
- maybe better seats (to be tested)
- independant rear suspension and hopefully better ride (to be tested)

That sounds like a lot of cash for little improvement over the previous generation.

I like the Cupra (based on the pictures), but maybe not enough to justify a difference of 3K over my LCR. For that, it would have had to seriously rock.

Now if it's priced at 19k, it's a different story

Based on the £2k difference then it should be £19k. What you also get is a car built on a platform that is miles ahead of the previous generation. Apparantly the latest Golf GTi handles!! Did you ever drive a Focus when they were launched? Compare that to the previous Escort.
I still love my LCR - both the way it looks and I enjoy driving it. I think I would be suprised if I went around the 'Ring in one and compared the time with the new Cupra. I think it would be a similar story as when the Focus ST beat the Focus RS - chassis advances are what we are paying for.
Perhaps SEAT also have lined up a market for styling options and bits for the new FR/Cupra. I should imagine they didn't have much need when the LCR was around because the look was so right and no great demand for kits. Marketing ploy maybe?