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| 210bhp Leon outmuscles even the Civic Type-R |
Price as tested £17,000
A power struggle is being fought out on UK roads, a horsepower struggle to discover how much grunt you can put through the front wheels of a hot hatch. On the evidence here, the answer seems to be: quite a lot.
We gasped when Renault dropped a 172bhp motor into the tiny Clio and nearly fell over when Honda trumped that with the UK-built Civic Type-R, which packs 197bhp. But now Seat has upped the stakes again with a new 210bhp version of the Leon: the front-wheel-drive Cupra R.
The most significant change over the 180bhp Cupra is to the 1.8-litre turbo’d four which now gets a pair of intercoolers and inlet- and exhaust-manifold modifications. Power is boosted by 30bhp to 210bhp and torque by 26lb ft to a maximum of 199lb ft, all of it evenly spread from 2100-5000rpm.
Other changes include stiffer dampers which drop the car by 8mm at the rear, sturdier suspension mounts and relocation of the (thinner) front anti-roll bar mounts to improve the neutrality of the handling, as well as a quicker steering rack; 2.5 turns lock-to-lock compared to the 2.8 of the original.
These tweaks are backed up by huge 18in alloys through which you’ll see bigger Brembo discs all round. The R is also distinguished by its rear spoiler, side skirts and aggressive front bumper treatment.
Other changes include stiffer dampers which drop the car by 8mm at the rear, sturdier suspension mounts and relocation of the (thinner) front anti-roll bar mounts to improve the neutrality of the handling, as well as a quicker steering rack; 2.5 turns lock-to-lock compared to the 2.8 of the original.
These tweaks are backed up by huge 18in alloys through which you’ll see bigger Brembo discs all round. The R is also distinguished by its rear spoiler, side skirts and aggressive front bumper treatment.
Coming off the line gently to minimise speed-sapping wheelspin, the R scorched to 60mph in just 6.5sec, beating the Civic Type-R by 0.2sec and matching the time set by the Renault Clio Cup. From 30-70mph, where the disadvantages of front-drive no longer matter, the Seat takes just 6.0sec. But by 100mph, which the Leon reaches in 18.0sec dead, the tables have turned and the Civic and Renault have pulled out over a second lead, although only the Civic can top the 141mph the Leon managed around Millbrook’s banking.
The Leon also counters with the sort of in-gear muscle that helps make it a supreme overtaking tool. Aided by its flat, even torque curve, it simply strolls away from its rivals in any given gear: even in the tall 25mph per 1000rpm sixth it squirts from 50-70mph in just 7.5sec (Civic 8.9sec, Clio 7.9sec).
The engine itself is not tuneful or particularly charismatic, but it never becomes harsh, even at the red line. And that, together with the torque spread means the Leon is deceptively fast and relaxing to drive.
Putting over 200bhp through just the front wheels can so often end in tears, but Seat’s engineers have done a fine job of ironing out torque steer. At motorway speeds the ride though stiff is not uncomfortable, but tyre noise and bump-thump from the firmly damped suspension as it tries to soak up imperfections can make covering lumpy surfaces a chore. But the pay-off is superb body control over even the toughest roads, inspiring the driver with immense confidence.
So it’s a shame that the steering spoils the party. We’ve no qualms with the keener response of the quicker rack, but there’s less feel than there was and with no extra assistance on offer, the effort required to turn the wheel is now almost too great.
The Leon also counters with the sort of in-gear muscle that helps make it a supreme overtaking tool. Aided by its flat, even torque curve, it simply strolls away from its rivals in any given gear: even in the tall 25mph per 1000rpm sixth it squirts from 50-70mph in just 7.5sec (Civic 8.9sec, Clio 7.9sec).
The engine itself is not tuneful or particularly charismatic, but it never becomes harsh, even at the red line. And that, together with the torque spread means the Leon is deceptively fast and relaxing to drive.
Putting over 200bhp through just the front wheels can so often end in tears, but Seat’s engineers have done a fine job of ironing out torque steer. At motorway speeds the ride though stiff is not uncomfortable, but tyre noise and bump-thump from the firmly damped suspension as it tries to soak up imperfections can make covering lumpy surfaces a chore. But the pay-off is superb body control over even the toughest roads, inspiring the driver with immense confidence.
So it’s a shame that the steering spoils the party. We’ve no qualms with the keener response of the quicker rack, but there’s less feel than there was and with no extra assistance on offer, the effort required to turn the wheel is now almost too great.
The Cupra R’s cabin is a black hole, broken only by the slightly cheap-looking white-faced dials, red stitching on the seats and smart leather-trimmed wheel and handbrake cover. The dash is showing its age, but the overall feeling of solidity is still impressive.
A huge range of steering and seat adjustment makes getting comfortable easy, even if they are set too high. And mention should be made of the superb £1200 Recaro seat option which includes special front chairs and individually sculpted rear seats and an emergency central perch in place of the ordinary bench.
The only other option is a full-screen sat-nav system; air-conditioning, a six-disc CD changer, front and side airbags and traction and stability control systems are all standard for the £16,999 price. That’s £1000 more than Honda charges for the Type-R, but the Seat counters with better equipment levels.
The R’s 211g/km CO2 figure is competitive considering the performance, as is the group 16 insurance rating. But our 23mpg average could dent a few wallets. Drive conservatively, though (and you will in this car, won’t you?) and you could easily top 30mpg.
It isn’t hard to make a case for the Cupra R despite its harsh ride and less than perfect steering. Stunningly rapid, able across country, and entirely practical as family transport, it’s absolutely one of the best hot-hatch packages on sale. That it costs only two grand more than the regular Cupra seals the deal.
A huge range of steering and seat adjustment makes getting comfortable easy, even if they are set too high. And mention should be made of the superb £1200 Recaro seat option which includes special front chairs and individually sculpted rear seats and an emergency central perch in place of the ordinary bench.
The only other option is a full-screen sat-nav system; air-conditioning, a six-disc CD changer, front and side airbags and traction and stability control systems are all standard for the £16,999 price. That’s £1000 more than Honda charges for the Type-R, but the Seat counters with better equipment levels.
The R’s 211g/km CO2 figure is competitive considering the performance, as is the group 16 insurance rating. But our 23mpg average could dent a few wallets. Drive conservatively, though (and you will in this car, won’t you?) and you could easily top 30mpg.
It isn’t hard to make a case for the Cupra R despite its harsh ride and less than perfect steering. Stunningly rapid, able across country, and entirely practical as family transport, it’s absolutely one of the best hot-hatch packages on sale. That it costs only two grand more than the regular Cupra seals the deal.
How much ?
- Price as tested £17,000
- Price as tested £20,145
How fast
- 0-30mph no data
- 0-60mph no data
- 0-100mph no data
- 0-150mph no data
- 0-200mph no data
- 30-70mph no data
- 0-400m no data
- 0-1000m no data
- 30-50mph in 3rd/4th no data
- 40-60mph in 4th/5th no data / no data
- 50-70mph in 5th no data
- 60-0mph no data
- Top speed no data
- Noise at 70mph no data
How thirsty?
- Test average no data
- Test best/worst no data / no data
Government figures
- Combined/urban 32.1 / 22.6 mpg
- CO2 emissions 211 g/km
How big?
- Length 4184 mm
- Width 1742 mm
- Height 1439 mm
- Wheelbase 2513 mm
- Weight 1376 kg
- Fuel tank 55.0 litres
Engine
- Layout 4 cyls , 1781 cc
- Max power 210 bhp at 5800 rpm
- Max torque 199 ft at 2100 rpm
- Specific output no data
- Power to weight no data
- Installation F
- Bore/stoke no data
- Compression ratio no data
- Valve gear no data
- Ignition and fuel no data, Unleaded
Gearbox
- Type U-speed Manual
- 1st no data
- 2nd no data
- 3rd no data
- 4th no data
- 5th no data
- 6th no data
- Final drive no data
Suspension
- Front MacPherson struts, wishbones, coils, anti-roll bar
- Rear Torsion beam, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Steering
- Type Rack and pinion
- Lock to lock 2.50
Brakes
- Front 323mm ventilated discs
- Rear 256mm discs
Wheel & tyres
- Size front 7.5Jx18in in
- Size rear 7.5Jx18in in
- Made of Alloy
- Tyres front 225/40 ZR18
- Tyres rear 225/40 ZR18
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