Test drive: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone
Test Drive

Test drive: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone

Are you already shaking today? If you haven't, we recommend Seat's most powerful production car of all time, one that makes you feel like you can do anything. The car we tested captivated us with its seductive shape, racial sound, erotic silhouette, but mostly atrocious 240 horsepower, which often made us think that traffic around us was standing ...

Test: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone - Car shop

This time, I will skip the detailed descriptions of the exterior and interior first. After all, photography speaks over a thousand words. Seven are behind the wheel, and the sports seats surround me with their large side bolsters. I start the engine with a muffled sound. I can feel a slight vibration in my stomach. The unit is somehow insanely quiet. It's like an impending storm, and every time you inject the gas, the skin on your hands itches. I put in first gear, throttle hard and wait for a response. A brutal stab in the back accompanied every gear change, and the pressure did not stop until the speed limit. Recall that the 2-liter 4-cylinder engine "borrowed" from the Golf GTI and Octavia RS, in which it develops 200 hp. Seat engineers put in a lot of effort: they changed the cylinder head, installed larger injectors and a turbocharger with a maximum preload pressure of 0,8 bar. To all this, the software for engine modification was added and changed, and the result was fantastic: the Volkswagen 2.0 TFSI (Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection) engine with a luxurious compressed air cooler increased the power to an enviable 240 horsepower available at 5.700 rpm, while while Bearish Torque of 300 Nm is available in the range of 2.200 to 5.500 rpm.

Test: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone - Car shop

If you were expecting a very steep torque curve, you were wrong. Judging by the data above, it is clear that the development of the power of this race engine will please even those who prefer atmospheric engines, and that this engine is unlikely to find competitors. Seat Leon Cupra with such engine characteristics is the top of the range of front-wheel drive hot hatches. Such is the theory and practice: Leon Cupra delivers incredible power and an explosive explosion with every press of the accelerator pedal. We were most impressed by the linear change in engine power. So there is no classic "attack" of torque, characteristic of turbo engines. A small, almost imperceptible turbo hole is followed by a strong thrust that lasts up to the speed limit. The current rally champion of our country, Vladan Petrovich, did not hide a pleasant surprise with a motorcycle: “An excellent engine with a good power development curve. I think that linear power development was the only solution to transfer 240 hp. to the ground without much loss. The Cupra pulls great at low revs, and if we want to get the most out of it, we can shift freely in the red rev zone since the 2.0 TFSI doesn't behave like other turbochargers. The engine behaved like "atmosphere", and if we want the maximum, we must keep it at high speeds. And not only this. I think there are several turbocharged petrol engines that have that kind of power and at the same time they can drive without nervousness and excessive effort in normal traffic. The gearbox is shorter, but the distance between third and fifth gear could be a little clearer.” The muffled sound coming from the attractive tailpipe also deserves special attention. “Seat Sound Exhaust System” is a special system that transmits powerful sound to the ears of passers-by as well as the driver. At lower revs, it is rather muffled, but when cruising at higher revs, the system treated us with a rough sound that fully reflected the power of the unit.

Test: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone - Car shop

Seat Leon Cupra boasts a modified suspension that is 14 millimeters lower than the standard. Aluminum was used in the front suspension elements, which reduced the "unstable weight" by 7,5 kg, and a front stabilizer was added. Excellent tires 225/40 R18 (Dunlop SP Sport Maxx) ensure good contact with the ground. Thanks to the latest Multinlink coil-spring suspension, the Leon Cupra absorbs bumps really well and I was almost starting to worry about sporty performance. But the "fear" disappeared first. Cupra cuts curves like a hot butter knife: safe and perfect. A car with an electric differential lock behaves as if it has merged with the asphalt, and the laws of physics do not seem to apply. However, while driving this car you feel like you can do anything, you have to be careful here, because 240 horsepower is no joke, as Petrovich pointed out to us: “The car has a lot of power, but you have to be careful not to overdo. Because we must not forget that high torque sometimes turns the wheels into space when we do not expect it. In fast corners, when the engine is running at high speeds, the front wheels can spin at idle due to the high power and increase the trajectory sharply. But even average drivers are sure to be pleased with the car's behavior because it's very nimble and nimble in slow corners, and at moderate throttle it's a lot of fun in fast corners. In addition, the steering wheel is very well adjusted as it provides sufficient resistance when driving fast, and in normal driving conditions it allows for easy maneuvering and easy parking. Additional driving safety is provided by excellent brakes that bring the Cupra to a smooth stop. If we're looking for a flaw, it might be a slightly harsher brake response for the average rider. But the adjustment period is certainly minimal.”

Test: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone - Car shop

As soon as we open the door, we notice "signs of recognition" in relation to the "regular" version of the Leon: aluminum pedals, sports seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching and a centrally located tachometer that reigns with the instruments. While we are initially impressed, there are a few objections to be raised here. Isn't Seat a specialist in emotions? The most powerful Seat ever built could distance itself a little from the older series models, as far as appearance is concerned. The styling is commendable, and the seemingly tall cab is a refreshment in the hot hatch class, but combined with the metallic-coated plastics, it looks cheaper than it really is. You can't mind the materials, but also the solid connections, but the large center console with tiny buttons creates a sense of emptiness and doesn't get rid of the massive compaction. But once in the shell seats with the sports steering wheel in hand, it's easy to forget the spartan feel of the interior details: “The driving position is excellent and typically sporty. The car sits very low, and the solid and protruding instrument panel creates a compact feel. The seat is easy to adjust for taller people, and the gearbox and center console are at the perfect distance. The steering wheel is adjustable in height and depth, and I would especially praise the steering wheel adjustment function via the button on the post. The gear lever is sporty but would have been in color if it had been slightly smaller. The look of the sports leather steering wheel is designed for ten and the hands just hold on to it. Petrovich noted.

Test: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone - Car shop

Factory information about the consumption of the most powerful car Seat is immediately forgotten. Consumption in the city is 11,4 liters, on the street 6,5 and the combined 8,3 liters from our point of view is just a good wish of the authors of these figures. We had the opportunity to drive the Cupra in any conditions, having covered over 1.000 kilometers, and the average consumption was about 11 liters per 100 kilometers. On the open road, with moderate driving at minimum revs, the Cupra consumed at least 8 liters per 100 km. On the other hand, when Vladan Petrovich wanted to explore the maximum potential of this racial urban runner behind the wheel, the consumption was around 25 l / 100 km. While everyone who buys this car shouldn't be overly concerned about fuel consumption in liters, it's important to note that Cupra offers a decisive choice. If you drive in moderation, consumption is within the range of weaker models, and if you have a heavy right leg, this will reflect on the thickness of your wallet.

Test: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone - Car shop

And besides being extremely sporty, the Seat Leon Cupra is a car that behaves well in everyday use. So, Seat achieved its goal: they made a machine for a helmet and a tie at the same time. Despite its sporty affinity, the car's interior has not lost its variety and functionality, and the Leon Cupra can serve as an excellent family car with a high level of everyday use. Five doors, ample rear seat space and a large base volume of 341 liters promise a pleasant ride. Rear seat space and comfort are excellent and can travel comfortably even over long distances. However, since the Leon Cupra is equipped with all-new sports front seats, tall passengers with rear knees will touch the front seats, which are padded with hard plastic at the back, which is definitely not going to please on long trips. Seat specialists also paid special attention to the equipment, and while driving “our” test car, we used the most modern systems of our time. The Seat Leon Cupra is equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESP), dual-zone air conditioning, six airbags, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, ABS, TCS, MP3 audio player, cruise control, steering wheel controls and Leon Cupra. adapted to all tastes, we have proven connections for iPod, USB or Bluetooth ...

Test: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone - Car shop

The appearance of the Seat Leon Cupra can only be praised. This is facilitated by the already excellent appearance of the base Leon model, as well as the features of the Cupra version. Dynamics and elegance. This is not deliberate, but just a few details, such as the sporty combination of attractive white wheels, red brake calipers and white mirrors, with an unobtrusive CUPRA (Cup Racing) lettering on the tailgate and an oval exhaust pipe, hinting that racial 240 are hidden under the hood. Horse power. ... Vladan Petrovich believes that the appearance of the Cupra deserves more distinction than that of other Leons: the Seat Leon looks great, but the Cupra should have been more detached from the “regular” models. Leon looks great already in the standard version, which you can expect from Seat. Aggressive and athletic. But Cupra should be a little different. There is no difference in the bodywork, but it's a pity for a car with such great sporting potential. I don't think some of the FR TDIs look more aggressive and powerful than the Cupra, which is the most powerful production Seat ever built. " So it's the perfect fusion of elegance and sport, and Cupra associates us with the perfect gangster with style. The exterior of the Seat Leon Cupra will also appeal to German high performance fans and the adventurous Italians. We can say that the Leon is actually a perfect combination of Alfa and Volkswagen. The Leon looks striking from the back, and many see it as something of an Alfa model. The sideline is high, the windows are small, and the tailgate handle is tucked away in the frame, which is an interesting gimmick. The front is dominated by wide bumpers with larger air intakes. Corollary: Leon Cupri instinctively leans into the right lane. Well done Seat!

Test: Seat Leon Cupra - Macho with excess testosterone - Car shop

The Seat Leon Cupra is a car that is hard to fault, even when you look at the price. Although the tested version with the highest quality equipment package costs 31.191 euros, the less equipped but still attractive version of the Cupra model should cost 28.429 euros. For the money, the buyer of this car got an uncompromising suspension and rather harsh driving behavior, which makes it a real formula for street use. Add to that the fact that this is a car that is light years away from compact car clothes and soullessness, and that amount seems reasonable. But let's be realistic: who, guided by reason, buys a small car with 240 horsepower?

 

Video test drive: Seat Leon Cupra

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