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Posted By: AL Seat: Leon Cupra 1.8T 2OV - 1st Dec 2004 12:15pm
Seat Léon Hatchback 1.8 T 20v Cupra (180)

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Price: £15,515
For: Both Cupra and Cupra R models are superbly built, quick, competitively priced and come with a wealth of standard equipment. The R is a focused drive and offers impressive pace.
Against: The Leon’s cabin is marred by cramped rear accomodation. The six-speed box on both cars has an unsatisfying shift and dulls the driving experience. The Cupra’s handling lacks sharpness.



Performance Ride Handling Refinement
Plenty of pace, but ‘box robs urgency R is focused, but Cupra lacks sharpness Strong refinement, especially for hot hatches

Performance

Cupra and Cupra R models are both powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine, with the R putting out 210bhp and the Cupra 178bhp. Both are quick, but the R has genuine pace. The six-speed gerabox on each is frustrating, however, robbing some urgency because the ratios are low-stacked.
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Handling

While its a better drive than the VW Golf it’s based on, the Cupra lacks the sharpness of the best hot hatches thanks to dull steering and not enough grip. The Cupra R features substantial suspension changes and quicker steering and is a much more entertaining drive. Even so, the extra power is still too much for the chassis at times.


Refinement

Like all Leons, both ‘hot’ models major on refinement. Although wider tyres create extra road roar, particularly on the R, noise levels are subdued, with little trouble from wind rustle. Despite the power levels on offer, neither engine is intrusive, withy just a pleasant, muted rumble from the sports exhaust.
  • Body type Hatchback
  • Number of doors 5
  • Number of seats 5
  • Engine (cc/type) 1781/4
  • Fuel type Unleaded
  • Max power (bhp/rpm) 180/5500
  • Max torque (lb ft/rpm) 173/1950
  • Max speed (mph) 142
  • 0-60mph (sec)
  • 30-70mph (sec) no data
  • In Gears 30 to 50 (sec) no data/no data/no data
  • In Gears 50 to 70 (sec) no data/no data/no data
  • Braking distance (m) no data/no data
  • Engine position F
  • Driven wheels Front
  • Length (mm) 4183
  • Width (mm) 1742
  • Height (mm) 1439
  • Front headroom (mm) 983
  • Front legroom (mm) 951
  • Rear headroom (mm) no data
  • Rear kneeroom (mm) no data
  • Boot space (min ltr) 340
  • Boot space (max ltr) 1050
  • Turning circle (m) 11.2
  • Turning circle lock to lock(m) standard
  • Towing weight (kg) 1500
  • Kerb weight (kg) 1308
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    Buying Quality Safety and Security
    Good value package, with strong residuals Superbly made and plushly finished inside Good crash protection; security could be better
    Buying

    Considering the amount of equipment and performance as standard, both the Cupra and Cupra R are good value. Insuring the R will cost a packet, but otherwise running costs are sensible. Reasonable CO2 emissions mean that company car tax bills won’t cripple you, while strong residuals are a draw for private buyers.


    Quality

    All of the Leon’s controls have a quality feel thanks to the VW Group’s excellent build. The fascia, which borrows heavily from the Audi A3, is stylish and uses top-grade materials. There’s no reason to suggest the Leon won’t prove to be utterly reliable either.


    Safety and Security

    Like all Leons, both Cupras come with driver, passenger and side airbags, along with anti-lock brakes. While the Cupra has traction control to minimise wheelspin, the R has a more complex stability control system to tame over-exuberance through corners. Security kit is reaonable, but in the last What Car Security Supertest our experts broke into the Cupra within 47 seconds.
  • Urban 23.5 mpg
  • Extra Urban 42.8 mpg
  • Combined 33.2 mpg
  • Tank Capacity 12
  • CO2 Rating 204
  • Insurance Group 16
  • Typical Quote £552
  • Retained Value 56.809
  • Contract Hire Rate 319
  • Cost per mile 41.88
  • Service Cost 844
  • Servicing 10,000
  • Warranty 36/60,000 + 3 yr Paint + 12 yr Perforation + 5 year Breakdown

    Behind the Wheel
    A simple, stylish and comfortable layout Front seats fine, but rear space is limited Comprehensive list of kit betters many rivals
    Behind the Wheel

    It’s easy to get comfortable at the Leon’s helm thanks to a fine range of adjustment. The steering wheel adjusts for both reach and rake, while there’s a simple ratchet heigh adjuster for the driver’s seat. Ahead, there’s a well-built and simply laid out dash that puts everything where it should be.

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    Space and Practicality

    Like all Leons, both Cupra models are only average for space. There’s plenty of room for those in the front, but those in the back seat have only mediocre legroom and headroom is tight thanks to the sloping ceiling. Cabin storage is good and the boot is a decent size, but a high loading lip hinders practicality.


    Equipment

    Both Cupra models want for little in the way of standard equipment and provide more than most rivals. Each has climate control, alloy wheels, four electric windows and a six-disc CD changer. The only options are electric leather seats for the Cupra at £1250, front and rear Recaro seats for the R at £1200, and satellite navigation, at £1950.
  • Central Locking standard
  • Remote Locking standard
  • Adjustable Steering Reach standard
  • Adjustable Steering Rake standard
  • Electric Steering Adjustable no data
  • Seat Height Adjustable standard
  • Power Seats Adjustable standard
  • Air Conditioning standard
  • Climate Control standard
  • Seat Belt Tensioners standard
  • Driver Airbag standard
  • Passenger Airbag standard
  • Side Airbag standard
  • Side Impactbars standard
  • Centre 3 Pointbelt standard
  • Traction Control standard
  • Antilock Brakes standard
  • Auto Gearbox not available
  • Alloywheels standard
  • Deadlocks standard
  • Immobiliser standard
  • Alarm standard
  • Visible Vin standard
  • Secure Spare Wheel standard
  • Marked Parts standard
  • Etched Windows not available
  • Satellite Navigation £1950
  • Handsfree Phone not available
  • Leather Seats £1250
  • Locking Wheelnuts standard
  • Metallic Paint £275
  • Split Fold Rear Seats standard
  • Electric Front Windows standard
  • Electric Mirrors standard
  • Heated Mirrors standard
  • Manual Sunroof not available
  • Electric Sunroof £495
  • Cruise Control £160
  • Multi CD standard
  • Radio not available
  • RDS Radio standard
  • Unique Fit Radio not available




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Posted By: AX_125 Re: Seat: Leon Cupra 1.8T 2OV - 1st Dec 2004 12:31pm
Nice.

It doesnt have the 0 - 60 specs though frown
Posted By: AL Re: Seat: Leon Cupra 1.8T 2OV - 1st Dec 2004 1:10pm
Quote
It doesnt have the 0 - 60 specs though

Seat Leon Cupra 0-60 mph 7.4s
Seat Leon Cupra R 0-60 mph 6.7s

Here we are matey!
Posted By: rossi-foci Re: Seat: Leon Cupra 1.8T 2OV - 1st Dec 2004 1:58pm
its a yellow seat tho? who wants one o them?! hahah only messin matey. looks sweet that! i like the look inside, looks like its just a good sturdy and rapid motor! a 3 door model might look even nicer
Posted By: Riki Re: Seat: Leon Cupra 1.8T 2OV - 4th Dec 2004 8:26pm
unfortunatley not available in a 3 door matey. The cupra is now being fazed out and being updated by the FR which has a different cloth on the seats (much nicer than the old interior) and the wheels are totally different and have more spokes. They are like a powder coated dark grey colour. better than the split rim 5 spokes. the kit however remains the same.
Posted By: scoop Re: Seat: Leon Cupra 1.8T 2OV - 7th Dec 2004 3:23am
Whats wrong with 5 doors eh? u can hardly tell they are even there.Black the windows out and dehandle the back and itll look better than a standard 3 door while giving the 3 door impression.3 door cars are good for one thing, stripping,caging then racing the ****ers. 5 doors=easy access for passengers and in the case of cars with crappy front seats it means u can get fixed buckets and peeps dont have to squeeeeze thru the bucket and the b pillar.Little 5 dr h8er. I hate them, infact im off to start a new thread in Gen chat. itll b good, then im off to bed
Posted By: Anonymous Re: Seat: Leon Cupra 1.8T 2OV - 8th Dec 2004 6:08pm
absolutely spanktastic that, thats one of the best looking 5 doors out yes
Posted By: Turbo_Scott Re: Seat: Leon Cupra 1.8T 2OV - 2nd Sep 2005 12:06am
0-60 is actually:

Cupra - 7.7secs
Cupra R (225) - 6.9secs

According to SEAT.
Posted By: GazzA Re: Seat: Leon Cupra 1.8T 2OV - 2nd Sep 2005 12:11am
i've always been a fan of this car, love them and would love to own one some day!
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