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Weekend roadtest : Seat Leon Cupra
publication date: Jul 3, 2010
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author/source: Robin Roberts
Seriously impressive performance on the touring
car
racing circuits at weekends has been followed by a weekday winning formula on the road for
the Seat Leon Cupra.
The Cupra is the high performance version of the Leon family
hatchback, the dynamically enjoyable derivative which delivers
satisfaction with sophistication.
There are 25 models in the Leon line-up, with the Cupra at the upper
end.
My test car was the 240 bhp version. Recently, the 265bhp Leon
Cupra R was added to the range at £25,205.The four-cylinder engine is extremely quiet, pulls well
and
exceptionally smooth with a generally quiet nature but one which changes
to a pleasantly throaty roar when the throttle is depressed. | 
| The flowing engine performance is matched to an easy yet progressive
clutch and a very slick and light gearchange which gives an
uninterrupted flow of ratios and power delivery to maximise the power at
the flywheel.
The light and smooth throttle is balanced by a similar feel to that of
the brake pedal, and it also pushes out a lot of power to effortlessly
slow the Cupra from speed and with inspiring control.
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| I liked the grouping of the secondary controls around the
column and the
proximity of fascia switches, the layout of the instruments directly
infront of the driver and their clarity.
You have a good heating and ventilation system in the Cupra as well to
fill the cabin with air at any desired temperature and it is backed up
by powered windows.
If you need oddments room, the Cupra is reasonably good at providing it
with door bins, console trays, glovebox and pockets. The boot space is
not huge at 340 litres and it is easy to load and unload.
|  | Driver and passengers can climb into or out of the Cupra
without a
problem and while rear seat room is tight the front pair of seats are
more spacious, have useful adjustment range and their shape is extremely
supportive under the legs and around the back. The seat backs are high
and limit what you can see behind and combined with the slim back window
the rearward vision is restricted when you are reversing or pulling out
into a line of traffic. | To the front you have very bright headlights and huge
wipers which sweep
the windscreen and leave no blindspots or dirty wedges and you can
place the car extremely precisely when parking or sweeping through a
series of bends.
Noise levels are low for most of the time when it’s driven under light
or modest load, but push for power and the engine note changes to a much
deeper and throaty noise which is generally quite addictive and not at
all irritating.
For a sporting car you might expect the ride to be hard, but it’s not
and I would say it is firm and remarkably compliant.
The Leon Cupra has very good, sharp responses to
throttle, brakes and
steering and inspires confidence with its roadholding and naturally
neutral handling.
|  | It feels very agile and is as easy to drive around
town as over a cross-country road trip.
The performance is very good, both from standstill and through the gears
and it cruises effortlessly at the motorway maximum, while overall
returning about 35mpg.
Without going to the additional expense of the Cupra R and the insurance
hike, the Cupra is a very good all rounder which adds a bit of
pizz-zazz to the daily commute and leaves you really looking forward to
the weekend. |
| Test panel: | | | Seat Leon Cupra £21,500 | Insurance group: 17/ 34 | | Powertrain: 2.0 4cyl 240ps, 6sp | Warranty: 3yrs/ 60k | | Max speed: 153mph | 0-62mph: 6.4sec | | Consumption: 35mpg | C02/ tax: 190gkm/ 26pc |
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