Test Drive Seat Leon Cupra R since 2009 Hatchback

Yellow Lightning

Press or not press? that is the question. Jump forward, overtake, integrate and get a dose of adrenaline. Or keep yourself, to go in a halfway, to automatically respond to the situation and save a heart for two unnecessary shots. Behind the wheel SEAT Leon Cupra some such solutions subconsciously accept constantly.
Do you need it? Especially in the damaged Moscow? Is this a 240 forces at all, 300 nm of the moment, 6.4 seconds to hundreds for everyday operation in the metropolis? And while pleasure costs? Calmly! I will answer all questions: this car has gained a three-month registration in the editorial office. So I traveled on it when it was cold; And I will go in the spring when, I hope there will be warmth. I will honestly tell about everything. Today is the first material. But I can already confidently say: I need it!
Hello from wtcc.
Of course, Cupra is obliged to be bright yellow. Not because such a color diversifies the dirty-gray sadness of the metropolitan flows, it is noticeable, and you can have time to be built. The yellow color of the real racing machines of the WTCC series, in which the SEAT often beats the competitors of BMW, Chevrolet, and will now beat and joined Lada. This color is great in order to emphasize the details of the design, the originality of the model. Cupra is not just charged, it is also an externally different leon. Bumpers with black inserts in the middle, the black air intake mesh and the radiator grid in the chrome-plated edging, the matte gray 18-inch alloy wheels with sparkling red brake calipers, finally the big silencer, neatly embedded in the feed, everything is very stylish. The exterior has been worked out to the smallest detail, aggressive, but it does not suffer from life, everything is intelligent, everything is in moderation.
By the way: not every first time guesses the presence of two rear doors of the handles, in the usual form, they are not stubborn and are located next to the rear triangular glasses. Functional solution: Do not blur in the dirt. Although in the snowfall a small opening is clogged with snow, and open the door is better in gloves.
At the driver's location, the latter doubts disappear in a slight dynamic potential. Sports front seats for my taste, one of the best cars in this class have developed lateral support, they literally sue the body, securely holding down, in the lower back and shoulders. Back S. the head restraint is planted into it is planted on a rigid plastic frame and perfectly profiled. Nevertheless, a person of almost any complexion can correctly get a job in this chair. The steering column is adjustable both in height and by departure in more than sufficient bands. Baranca is covered with genuine leather with a red line, in its lower part of it inserts from matte plastic under chrome with the inscription Cupra. The same inscription on the instrument panel is not to confuse with a shield on the usual Leon. Although still do not confuse: there are white scales with the finish flag of the red zone on the tachometer. The same flag, and the same inscription decorate the knob of a 6-speed manual gear lever. The lever itself is unusual, but comfortable. Naturally, pedals are separated by aluminum with rubber inserts. Supplement the adrenaline picture of the front panel trim under Kevlar and the ceiling is covered with black cloth. Sports mood created.
True, it mixes simplicity of the central console, gray plastic, ventilation deflectors, climate control control buttons and music center all exactly as in Leon, as well as Atlea and Toledo. Of course, the unification is useful for business, but still this Cupra. For reason, carbon and metal inserts for SEAT have already appeared in some stores selling tuning accessories.
However, with all the sportiness Cupra remains a very functional car. So, the back is enough place for the feet, although the massive tunnel in the floor makes the sofa double. Nevertheless, it can be folded as a whole and in parts that almost three times will increase the 341-liter trunk. In addition, there are a lot of places and for small booties, there is even a special compartment for CDs.
First gon
By the time of the preparation of this material I managed to drive on Cupra a little more than two thousand kilometers. Mainly, in winter roads, on the studded tires. And, nevertheless, it was completely tasted with the unlawful dynamic potential of the model. With a 2.0-liter TFSI motor that can be found on many machines of the concern VW, the Spaniards removed as much as 240 hp Moreover, it was done not just due to an increase in pressure pressure, but significantly smoking the entire power unit. Therefore, no other model from the extensive WV Audi Skoda family does not possess such a motor.
The first acceleration, even on a slippery coating, removes all questions to the dynamics. Yes, the yellow stabilization light bulb flashes on the first, second and often even on the third stage, if accelerated intensively, quickly switches the transmission. The course of the lever itself, the word, very clear, does not arise with the selectivity. As there are no problems with the clutch pedal of a sick question for most cars of the concern VW. In Cupra pedal is not at all long and quite informative. I argue this, although one of my colleague insisted that when driving in traffic jams in the floor pedal in the cabin begins to smell the clutch. Of course! On such machines, it is impossible to ride such machines. Torque is too large, and such an appeal will invariably lead to premature clutch wear. In Cupra, it should be taken as a rule that there are only two positions of the left left pedal it is pressed until it stops, or completely released. There is no third.
Despite the high degree of forcing, the motor pleases elasticity. There is no hint on the turbo-pit, and from the scene, for example, on a slippery coating, it is easy to touch and from the second transfer to the front leading wheels will not be discouraged. By the way, the stabilization system specifically for this model seems to be somewhat modernized. So, even with intensive acceleration, it although it reduces the slip, but it does not interfere with the acceleration quickly. Rather, on the contrary, it turns out faster with it. That I was pleasantly surprised.
How comfortable with this power in the urban time? Personally, I am very convenient. Yes, the entire potential is constantly impossible to implement the place is not enough, and nothing. But quickly rebuild, accelerate, overtake when it makes sense, one pleasure. At such moments you stick to the back of the seat, trying to keep the head in the cold. Fortunately, Cupra's brakes are very powerful, and the pedal is very sensitive. You will quickly get used to it, realizing that it is such settings necessary. And hard suspensions that transmit even small cracks in the asphalt is also benefit. Only thanks to them can be confidently rushing in a straight line at speeds for two hundred, and take up the increments with decent side overloads. Communication with the car is not lost for a moment.
On slippery roads, I could fully taste the sports suspension settings. So, in turns, the car demonstrates the excessive turning ratio, often showing a trend towards the corner. If you take a little ahead of the accelerator, without breaking the front wheels in the slip, then Cupra begins to slightly slide the entire body outwardly, which provides a mastery of opportunities, and most importantly pleasure. No wonder the car was put on sharp and informative steering. From the stop before the stop, the Baranka makes approximately 2.6 turns.
Finally, for all the power and my not the most economical ride, Cupra is still consumed by an average of about 13.5 liters of high-octane gasoline per 100 km run. Excellent indicator, especially taking into account winter studded tires. Let's see if the flow rate will decrease on summer tires.
The choice is not too great.
As the reader understands, I am not indifferent to urban rockets, powerful compact machines. And I try not to miss any. Both the price and the type of drive on the list of main competitors fall: Honda Civic Type R, Ford Focus ST, VW Golf GTI, Opel Astra OPC, Megane Renaultsport, Dodge Caliber SRT, Mazda3 MPS and, perhaps, Volvo C30 T5. Now I will allow myself monstrous subjective assessments. In my opinion, the best four of them are the first models. But in style and pleasure from driving, perhaps, only Type R can be compared with Cupra. I am very interested not to change this opinion in the future.
Andrei Osipov
Stock Photo Author and seat
 

A source: Magazine Automotive News [April 2009]