SEAT Leon Cupra R (2009 onwards)

What - SEAT Leon Cupra R
Where - Barcelona, Spain
Date - October 2009
Price - £23,000 est TBC
Available - Mid-November 2009
Key rivals - Ford Focus RS, Mazda3 MPS, Renault Mégane Renaultsport, Vauxhall Astra VXR, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Golf GTi, Audi S3, Skoda Octavia vRS, SEAT Leon Cupra

Summary
SEAT unleashes the most powerful car in the company's history: the 265hp Leon Cupra R. But can it kick the competition where it hurts - in the corners?
We like - powerful engine, makes a great noise, XDS-assisted handling copes very well, surprisingly efficient
We don't like - the vague impression that the electronics are taking things out of your control, looks too similar to the standard Cupra

Gallery: SEAT Leon Cupra R

First Impressions
Rrrrrr, me hearties. There be SEATs in these here Spanish waters - uh, roadways. And amongst them swims - drives - the fastest, most powerful SEAT the world has ever seen. No, truly. Blinding lime green, it is - though there be other colours also available.

It rides on giant discs, 19 inches in diameter. It hunkers low to the ground, an oval tailpipe spouting from the rear. But be warned, you land lubberous reprobates, this SEAT - the fastest in the world - otherwise looks much the same as any other branded with the badge of Leon.

Stealthy, so it is. As while 265 horses beat in its breast, there are no giant wings, no fantastically flaring arches, nor any gulping air vents - beyond those already applied to the lesser Cupra. You'll need to get mighty close to spot the difference - mighty close, indeed. Only then will the R sign on its front and hindside reveal itself to ye. Rare this be.

But caught one, we have. And so here, in all its glory, is the SEAT Leon Cupra Rrrrr. A hot shot amongst hot hatches - shiver me timbers, it's fast.

Performance
Ahem. So this is the Leon Cupra R. Powered by the same 265hp four cylinder turbo as the Audi S3 quattro, yet only front wheel drive, it's the latest über-hatch.

Not quite as potent as the 305hp Ford Focus RS, the Cupra R's power output nevertheless matches the Mazda3 MPS and out-punches the new 250hp Renault Mégane Renaultsport. With 25 more hp than the existing Leon Cupra, it's the first Volkswagen Group product to put this much performance through just the front wheels; a Scirocco R also using this engine follows shortly.

The Cupra R isn't even fitted with a mechanical limited slip differential (LSD), relying instead on the XDS electronics - an addition to the ESP that mimics a slippy diff's functions. The result is 0-62mph in just 6.2 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph. 258lb ft of torque is available in a sizable chunk from 2,500rpm right through to 5,000rpm.

This gives the Leon astonishing response in almost any gear and at any speed. The muscularity making it relaxed but also very, very rapid - even pitted against an undulating race track. It also makes an absolutely fabulous noise.

A real burble under power that builds as the revs rise into an exotic growling roar - an emotive cue many rivals simply cannot match. And since SEAT employs clever sound amplifying technology, this fades right into the background on the motorway. So you don't get deafened on longer boring journeys.

Ride and Handling
With massive 19-inch alloy wheels and suspension 3mm lower than the Cupra (a total 17mm drop over the entry-level Leon) we were expecting the worst from the ride quality.

Surprisingly - and this reflects recent improvements in the Cupra as well - the Cupra R is far from devastatingly bone-shaking. Even if Spanish roads are admittedly almost uniformly smooth.

Deliberately socking the car into potholes at frisky velocities still failed to jar any teeth loose. We can but hope this relative compliance translates into British b-road brilliance.

Mods for the Cupra R include stiffer springs, revised damping and suspension bushes, while the back end of the car is deliberately more lively - although you can't completely disengage the ESP. For most road users this is hardly likely to be a problem.

As it turns out the electronic nanny is actually more of a supervisor, with its integrated XDS system helping you get the most from the car. It deals with the power and torque almost alarmingly well. In the dry at least, the unnerving squirming you get from a mechanical LSD is completely absent, replaced by a flickering warning light.

Cornering speeds increase in step with your confidence in the system. Gripping hard and leaning just enough to let you know you're trying, it's friendly but inspired - eager, fun. The XDS controls the car by braking the inside wheel before it has a chance to spin up and ruin your cornering line - quelling understeer before it even begins, which is impressive.

This does suggest you'll get through brake pads rather swiftly - but if you like to drive hard that was probably the case anyway. Over reliance on the electronics is another issue. What if one day the XDS suddenly stopped working? It does such a good job of sorting out clumsy cornering you could suddenly find yourself in big trouble...

Interior
Much like the outside, changes over the Cupra on the inside are best described as subtle. R logos appear in the instrument binnacle and you get a sporty set of seats. These look good, and remained comfortable all day, but could do with more lateral support.

The Cupra R corners so hard you find yourself gradually slipping out of them. Direction changes are made via a flat-bottomed steering - staple of the VW Group's sportier products. The steering itself is curiously light and delicate.

Unexpected, but you get used to it. For some reason the gearknob looks like it's escaped from atop a DSG transmission, yet the Cupra R is only available as a six speed manual. This is specially strengthened to cope with the R's extra power and torque, and apparently features a 6mm shorter shift action; honestly, we couldn't tell the difference...

Build quality is fair, but some of the plastics are a little brittle - this is SEAT, not Audi, after all. We still find the Leon dash design somewhat uninspiring.

Economy and Safety
As if raw speed, an evocative noise and engaging handling weren't enough, the Leon Cupra R also scores highly for efficiency, leading the class with just 190g/km CO2 emissions.

This means the engineers have added performance with no environmental detriment. Well done. Fuel economy is officially 34.8mpg combined; you'll get significantly less using the car to its full potential.

As for safety, UK spec is yet to be completely finalised, but in Spain there are six airbags, auto lights, auto wipers, rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitors. Expect the UK version to be similarly comprehensive.

MSN Cars Verdict
The SEAT Leon Cupra R is big-hearted, keen to be driven quickly, and remarkably environmentally conscious. At circa £23,000 when it goes on sale in November, it also represents fair value.

On first impressions it's a really good fast car. We can't wait to get our hands on it again to see how it copes with the unique road conditions in the UK. Rrrrrr.

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