Review of the new SEAT Leon Cupra

Perhaps I could claim some sort of referral bonus from SEAT. For a spell back in 2000/2001, I must have shifted a decent number of Leon Cupras from recommendation alone. A few friends are still driving them, their word of mouth shifting yet more. For some time, there really was very little that could get near it from a price/performance/practicality perspective. That was back then, however, and these days there are some very talented rivals that SEAT needs to knock down before garnering another recommendation. Is the latest version up to scratch?

The formula is quite simple, although the Spanish company has rather dragged its espadrilles in getting this model to market. Still, at least these days there's the option of a slightly more affordable FR version backing up this hot Cupra model, with the tantalising possibility of an even more focused Cupra R variant waiting in the wings. The problem with this approach is that while it spreads launch activity over an ongoing period, it also means that those who want the latest thing can see the subsequent sporting models as rather old hat. The original 20VT model (that became the MK1 Cupra) was, after all, part of the Leon range rolled out to the public on the first generation car's launch in 2000. This time round, there's been a gestation period of well over a year between this second generation Leon hitting the dealers and the Cupra model appearing.

It's not all SEAT's fault. The company has to operate in close formation with Volkswagen, Audi, and Skoda and the last thing this group needs is SEAT stealing sales from, say, the potentially more profitable Volkswagen Golf GTI. That's why the Golf gets a clear run at the market for a year or so and then first the Skoda Octavia vRS and then the SEAT Leon Cupra appear. But does the Cupra really have the mettle to make customers defect from the tempting cabin of a Golf?

"The Leon Cupra proves that a 150mph+ performance car can double as everyday family transport for less than £20k"

It depends very much on your priorities. Put bluntly, you get more engine but less feel good factor with this car. The cabin of the Golf GTI is beautifully detailed and it's easy to appreciate this as a premium piece of design. The SEAT, on the other hand, feels as if it has consciously been de-contented, the plastics a grade or two cheaper, the depth of engineering that has gone into the control surfaces that tangible bit shallower. If this means very little to you, the Leon could well be your thing. It certainly doesn't want for performance.

It'll catapult itself from standstill to 60mph in just 6.1 seconds and keep going to 153mph. The 237bhp engine is based around the 197bhp unit used by both the Golf GTI and the Leon FR 2.0TFSI. However, in this form, the Cupra's powerplant offers a heftier turbocharger, bigger capacity injectors, reinforced conrods and pistons and a revised cylinder head. Adding just over 30bhp gives the unit a notably different character. Although it's still very competent for a turbocharged four, you're now aware that there is a turbocharger at work under the bonnet whereas the 197bhp installation merely feels like a larger capacity six-cylinder engine.

There have been some small modifications to the suspension as well, with revised spring and damper rates. Cupra buyers can also expect an upgrade from the FR's 17-inch rims to 18-inch ten-spoke alloys, as well as the fitment of some weight-saving aluminium parts that go some way to countering the increased unsprung weight of the wheels. Ride quality is extremely good and power deployment is a good deal more civilised than you might expect. Drive the Leon Cupra back to back with an Astra VXR and you'll appreciate that it's a far more competently engineered car. What it isn't, however, is a more exciting car. Where the Astra will possibly be a little slower on a given cross country route, it'll leave you thrilled, dry-mouthed and possibly a little sweaty palmed. The Leon, on the other hand, will have demolished the Vauxhall without a great deal of drama. In building a car that only gets exciting when frankly horrifying figures are showing on the speedo, perhaps SEAT has been a little too clever for its own good. I could be wrong but I'm certain the Golf GTI is a few degrees more communicative and 'live'.

This generation Leon is a good deal bigger than its predecessor and this extra space is particularly noticeable in the rear. The old car was pretty tight in the back but the addition of 12cm to the latest models' length is felt particularly in the rear, where there's now knee room for six-footers. Although there's no armrest in the back and the bench is a little flat, you wouldn't feel hard done by undertaking a longer journey here. The rear tailgate opens wide to reveal a load bay that's a little awkwardly shaped for bulky items but is otherwise perfectly adequate for this class of car. Weight has gone up by a mere 8kg, helped in no small part to innovative panel stamping procedures and an acrylic rear side window that incorporates the door handle.

Both the front seat and the steering wheel are multi-adjustable and there's plenty of headroom up front even for taller drivers. The nose curves rapidly out of view and shorter drivers may want to specify parking sensors. The windscreen pillars are annoyingly chunky which means that you'll probably be doing a fair bit of see-sawing in your seat as you negotiate roundabouts. One can almost excuse this feature due to the fact that the windscreen wipers park vertically into the pillars - a rather neat trick that helps with the vital showroom wow factor. All-round visibility isn't a Leon strong point, the three-quarter view being hampered by thick pillars and the rearward view consisting of a number of headrests.

The MK2 Leon Cupra improves on its practicality and, on most objective scorecards, offers a bigger bang and equivalent value for money as its forebear. However, much has changed since I first raved about the MK1 version of this model in 2000. While it's a car that still comes with a big thumbs up, there are many talented rivals. Is this Leon really any better than a Ford Focus ST, a Renaultsport Clio 197 or a Honda Civic Type-R? I have my doubts. SEAT has built a fine car but I don't think I'll be getting rich on any referral fees.