Cupra R is a performance hatch that doesn't scream to be looked at.
The top of the range Leon has a whopping 260bhp powering its front wheels - and that's a hell of a lot of power in a compact hatchback.
The Cupra R version is the ultimate sporting SEAT. It is blisteringly fast yet effortless to use every day within the legal limits - just!
The exterior is true to the original Walter De Silva- designed five-seater yet more muscular in a relatively subtle way. The massive red brake callipers visible through the 19-inch alloy wheels are the only real hint that this car is very, very capable. Black mirror caps, R front grille and a sporty twin exhaust layout help point out the 'R' from lesser Leons.
Inside, the race-derived bucket seats offer the right amount of hip hugging needed for the exceptional cornering ability of the R. Sadly, apart from a chunky steering wheel, there is nothing inside to write home about. For the driver stuck in slow moving traffic there is little else to excite the eye. Leon's dash is dull and simplistic - with an abundance of hard plastic compared to its rivals - but the Cupra R is about driving and looking forward and this redeems it somewhat.
Under the skin there is a very competent chassis and suspension set-up that delivers predictable, precise driving. Cupra R flatters the novice as it has no quirks or driving idiosyncrasies that you might expect from a 'tuned' car. Going from 0-100 km/h takes just over six seconds, while in-gear acceleration is rapid. The 2-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that is shared with the VW Golf R and Audi S3 behaves very well at low revs, allowing hassle-free, slow-speed town use. Push the Cupra R's revs up and the world gets more interesting.
I took the Cupra R for a few quick laps at Mondello Park circuit recently and had a blast. The R is so composed when cornering hard and, more importantly, under braking it is very reassuring. The massive brakes bite well and scrub off excess speed brilliantly - just remember to use a light foot when going for a test drive in one. Under hard acceleration, where you'd expect a lot of torque steer - the steering wheel feels like both front wheels want to drive off in separate directions! - there is none. This is thanks to a clever electronic differential that manages to control the 350nm of torque produced. It's funny, but the technical stuff doesn't really draw any attention to itself as the Cupra R goes about being quick in a very civilised way.
Okay, so what's the downside to having a very hot hatch? Having a very hot hatch! Points gathering potential is enormous without monk-like self restraint, plus all performance cars are costly in terms of fuel and insurance, especially for those drivers they're aimed at, and this is a shame.
Cupra R gets close to the king of hot hatches, the stunning Ford Focus RS, and is one of my favourites.
Basically, the stunningly good SEAT Cupra R is a VW Golf R or Audi S3 for SEAT money!
Michael Sheridan
