Seat Leon Cupra R 2017 review

Our time in the car was short but long enough to determine that the Cupra R is a noticeable improvement over the Cupra 300. And as well you might expect, with its extrovert body kit and a price tag to match.  

The powertrain remains a triumph, its turbocharged engine responding not only without delay but also with proper muscle to any opening of the throttle above 2000rpm. That the same engine can generate peak power just 300rpm short of the red line shows what a superb piece of engineering the EA888 is. Not many rivals exhibit that kind of breadth, and as such aren’t nearly as thrilling to wring out, even if several of them do offer a little more charisma.

Seat has, in fairness, done a good job of giving this engine a little more character than we’re used to from its previous applications, not least in the Golf R, and has done so without wafting synthesised tones into the cabin. This is largely because in Cupra mode the exhaust forcibly crackles on the overrun but feels entirely natural. Get some heat into the system and it's especially enjoyable.

Handling? New suspension uprights have allowed negative camber to be increased – doubled, almost – at both axles, and while the Cupra R will come shod as standard in Continental SportContact6 tyres, our test car wore Michelin Cup Sport 2 tyres.

Although impossible to separate the individual consequences of those modifications on the Catalan roads of our first drive, the combined effect was profound. Within the limitations of road driving, the Cupra R would seemingly splice through any corner at any speed you cared to throw at it short of the truly deranged. The variable ratio steering has also been quickened a fraction just off centre, and now has a touch more weight to it – something owners of the Cupra 300 would undoubtedly welcome.

Whether you should seriously consider a Leon Cupra R will depend largely on your commitment to the brand. After all, no one will deny that this new model’s myriad tweaks deliver an enticing improvement to an already fine hot hatch, but the asking price is difficult to swallow.

For Seat die-hards, the car’s eye-widening cross-country pace and the exclusivity on offer – just 24 cars have been initially allocated to these shores – may well prove irresistible, and it’s doubtful such people would be disappointed in their purchase.

Others will peruse the classifieds for an alternative of similar ability and desirability. They will happen upon lightly used examples of the hardcore VW Golf GTI Clubsport S – itself of severely limited production – that start from around £36,000. In such cases the only pertinent question one should ask oneself is how badly do I require the back seats in the Leon.

Of course, the Golf still means spending the best part of £40,000 on a front-driven hot hatch, and that simply won’t wash for most. Inevitably the latest Honda Civic Type R enters the fray at this point. It’s comfortably as fast as the Cupra R, easily matches if for character and surpasses it for involvement and sheer dynamism. It’s also considerably less expensive.  

Seat Leon Cupra R

Where Barcelona, Spain On sale Now Price £34,995 Engine 4 cyls, 1984cc, turbocharged petrol Power 306bhp at 5800-6500rpm Torque 280lb ft at 1800-5700rpm Gearbox 6-spd manual Kerbweight 1453kg Top speed 155mph 0-62mph 5.8sec Fuel economy 38.7mpg CO2 rating 170g/km Rivals Honda Civic Type R, Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance