New Golf R vs New Leon Cupra Review

[flashp]

Bit of thread resurrection here since it was speculated that Seat would be releasing a 4wd Cupra.
Since this we have this to go on: http://www.seatcupra.net/index.php/2016/11/14/seat-confirms-new-leon-cupra-300-4wd/

I'll bet the price is favourable too.

[Pesky jones]

Saw this today - looks interesting.

[pudding]

Hmmmmm, it's a bit like Red coke is the S3, diet coke is the Golf R and now we have the caffiene free Coke, Leon 4WD.

In other words, the same bloody thing, just with a little bit taken away from each one.

I really don't find myself getting excited by anything VAG these days.  It's just an endless conveyor belt churning out samey products.  Apparently there will be even more RS models being churned out by Audi soon.  RS1, RS Q5, RS Q7, RS8, and on and on it goes.  The cheapest of which will be the RS1, probably starting at £35K, easily £45K with the usual "must have for resale" options added.  And an 'RS' Soft roader?!  Not really sure why orange faced Essex mums need 500hp to drop little Timmy off to school with.

[flashp]

Hmmmmm, it's a bit like Red coke is the S3, diet coke is the Golf R and now we have the caffiene free Coke, Leon 4WD.

In other words, the same bloody thing, just with a little bit taken away from each one.

I really don't find myself getting excited by anything VAG these days.  It's just an endless conveyor belt churning out samey products.  Apparently there will be even more RS models being churned out by Audi soon.  RS1, RS Q5, RS Q7, RS8, and on and on it goes.  The cheapest of which will be the RS1, probably starting at £35K, easily £45K with the usual "must have for resale" options added.  And an 'RS' Soft roader?!  Not really sure why orange faced Essex mums need 500hp to drop little Timmy off to school with.

For the most part I agree with this. It would be refreshing if the caffeine free option were £3-£4k cheaper. 
These model variants are a response to market demand, they think (and are probably correct) that they will sell these.

I hope that the Cupra turns up as it has in the past with the 4 pot Brembos, mechanical LSD, lightweight suspension components etc from the factory.

I personally think that fitting the Clubsport with the big single piston calipers rather than light weight 4 piston calipers was a bit of a missed opportunity to fit the parts that were more befitting. I know it didn't need them to do it's ring publicity and most owners won't notice or care but it serves as a reminder that it's a car for the collectors or a trophy (see what I did there ) for the driveway. Still not as focused as the Megan RS variants. Is it a car that's trying to look like something that it arguably isn't or is it simply a result of a marketing study??. Dedicated VW fans won't care and they will sell well, the S is sold out so there's the evidence.

[Shoduchi]

The Leon Cupra 280 has the optional "Sub8 Performance Pack" with the 4-pot Brembos, a pack with bucket seats and a pack with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. The VAQ electronically-controlled limited slip differential is standard. Seems to be good.

[Tfsi_Mike]

Next years Leon Cupra will be 4wd too

[pudding]

Hmmmmm, it's a bit like Red coke is the S3, diet coke is the Golf R and now we have the caffiene free Coke, Leon 4WD.

In other words, the same bloody thing, just with a little bit taken away from each one.

I really don't find myself getting excited by anything VAG these days.  It's just an endless conveyor belt churning out samey products.  Apparently there will be even more RS models being churned out by Audi soon.  RS1, RS Q5, RS Q7, RS8, and on and on it goes.  The cheapest of which will be the RS1, probably starting at £35K, easily £45K with the usual "must have for resale" options added.  And an 'RS' Soft roader?!  Not really sure why orange faced Essex mums need 500hp to drop little Timmy off to school with.

For the most part I agree with this. It would be refreshing if the caffeine free option were £3-£4k cheaper. 
These model variants are a response to market demand, they think (and are probably correct) that they will sell these.

I hope that the Cupra turns up as it has in the past with the 4 pot Brembos, mechanical LSD, lightweight suspension components etc from the factory.

I personally think that fitting the Clubsport with the big single piston calipers rather than light weight 4 piston calipers was a bit of a missed opportunity to fit the parts that were more befitting. I know it didn't need them to do it's ring publicity and most owners won't notice or care but it serves as a reminder that it's a car for the collectors or a trophy (see what I did there ) for the driveway. Still not as focused as the Megan RS variants. Is it a car that's trying to look like something that it arguably isn't or is it simply a result of a marketing study??. Dedicated VW fans won't care and they will sell well, the S is sold out so there's the evidence.

I think the S sold out immediately, just like the 911 R.  This whole elitist availability limiting thing to keep the collectors happy winds enthusiasts up, but the Germans are expert at knowing their customers and car alchemy!  They know Americans like value for money and stick up for their rights, which is why they get 10 year power train warranties, and they know English people hate complaining, which is why we get 3 year powertrain warranties.  They also know the UK is happy to pay £50K for a base level TT-RS because of the badge, but Americans would laugh in the face of a dealer asking that much for a TT.  They've been exploiting the markets like that for decades, but they're about to get a rocket up their capitalist arse soon with all the billions they've got to pay out 

I hear you on the French hot hatch approach, but I think Clio Trophy owners got a huge shock when presented with a £3K bill for a pair of front dampers     Sometimes basic is better 

[flashp]

Hmmmmm, it's a bit like Red coke is the S3, diet coke is the Golf R and now we have the caffiene free Coke, Leon 4WD.

In other words, the same bloody thing, just with a little bit taken away from each one.

I really don't find myself getting excited by anything VAG these days.  It's just an endless conveyor belt churning out samey products.  Apparently there will be even more RS models being churned out by Audi soon.  RS1, RS Q5, RS Q7, RS8, and on and on it goes.  The cheapest of which will be the RS1, probably starting at £35K, easily £45K with the usual "must have for resale" options added.  And an 'RS' Soft roader?!  Not really sure why orange faced Essex mums need 500hp to drop little Timmy off to school with.

For the most part I agree with this. It would be refreshing if the caffeine free option were £3-£4k cheaper. 
These model variants are a response to market demand, they think (and are probably correct) that they will sell these.

I hope that the Cupra turns up as it has in the past with the 4 pot Brembos, mechanical LSD, lightweight suspension components etc from the factory.

I personally think that fitting the Clubsport with the big single piston calipers rather than light weight 4 piston calipers was a bit of a missed opportunity to fit the parts that were more befitting. I know it didn't need them to do it's ring publicity and most owners won't notice or care but it serves as a reminder that it's a car for the collectors or a trophy (see what I did there ) for the driveway. Still not as focused as the Megan RS variants. Is it a car that's trying to look like something that it arguably isn't or is it simply a result of a marketing study??. Dedicated VW fans won't care and they will sell well, the S is sold out so there's the evidence.

I think the S sold out immediately, just like the 911 R.  This whole elitist availability limiting thing to keep the collectors happy winds enthusiasts up, but the Germans are expert at knowing their customers and car alchemy!  They know Americans like value for money and stick up for their rights, which is why they get 10 year power train warranties, and they know English people hate complaining, which is why we get 3 year powertrain warranties.  They also know the UK is happy to pay £50K for a base level TT-RS because of the badge, but Americans would laugh in the face of a dealer asking that much for a TT.  They've been exploiting the markets like that for decades, but they're about to get a rocket up their capitalist arse soon with all the billions they've got to pay out 

I hear you on the French hot hatch approach, but I think Clio Trophy owners got a huge shock when presented with a £3K bill for a pair of front dampers     Sometimes basic is better 

Those Sachs dampers were best left to the 'must be original' brigade. Ohlins road & track or KW Clubsports probably a better option, and cheaper for a full set. A friend who has a 172 told me about those dampers, I nearly fell off my chair 

With you on the other points you made   

[pudding]

Hmmmmm, it's a bit like Red coke is the S3, diet coke is the Golf R and now we have the caffiene free Coke, Leon 4WD.

In other words, the same bloody thing, just with a little bit taken away from each one.

I really don't find myself getting excited by anything VAG these days.  It's just an endless conveyor belt churning out samey products.  Apparently there will be even more RS models being churned out by Audi soon.  RS1, RS Q5, RS Q7, RS8, and on and on it goes.  The cheapest of which will be the RS1, probably starting at £35K, easily £45K with the usual "must have for resale" options added.  And an 'RS' Soft roader?!  Not really sure why orange faced Essex mums need 500hp to drop little Timmy off to school with.

For the most part I agree with this. It would be refreshing if the caffeine free option were £3-£4k cheaper. 
These model variants are a response to market demand, they think (and are probably correct) that they will sell these.

I hope that the Cupra turns up as it has in the past with the 4 pot Brembos, mechanical LSD, lightweight suspension components etc from the factory.

I personally think that fitting the Clubsport with the big single piston calipers rather than light weight 4 piston calipers was a bit of a missed opportunity to fit the parts that were more befitting. I know it didn't need them to do it's ring publicity and most owners won't notice or care but it serves as a reminder that it's a car for the collectors or a trophy (see what I did there ) for the driveway. Still not as focused as the Megan RS variants. Is it a car that's trying to look like something that it arguably isn't or is it simply a result of a marketing study??. Dedicated VW fans won't care and they will sell well, the S is sold out so there's the evidence.

I think the S sold out immediately, just like the 911 R.  This whole elitist availability limiting thing to keep the collectors happy winds enthusiasts up, but the Germans are expert at knowing their customers and car alchemy!  They know Americans like value for money and stick up for their rights, which is why they get 10 year power train warranties, and they know English people hate complaining, which is why we get 3 year powertrain warranties.  They also know the UK is happy to pay £50K for a base level TT-RS because of the badge, but Americans would laugh in the face of a dealer asking that much for a TT.  They've been exploiting the markets like that for decades, but they're about to get a rocket up their capitalist arse soon with all the billions they've got to pay out 

I hear you on the French hot hatch approach, but I think Clio Trophy owners got a huge shock when presented with a £3K bill for a pair of front dampers     Sometimes basic is better 

Those Sachs dampers were best left to the 'must be original' brigade. Ohlins road & track or KW Clubsports probably a better option, and cheaper for a full set. A friend who has a 172 told me about those dampers, I nearly fell off my chair 

With you on the other points you made   

Would love some Ohlins for my ED30, but they're a third of the car's value    Do they not make just the dampers anymore for use with the OEM springs?

Sorry to go OT