Leon Cupra R

This was supposed to be the final long-term test report on our SEAT Leon Cupra R. As we have now had the keys to GJ52 KHB for more than nine months, the manufacturer decided it was high time we gave them back. Trouble is, the Spanish firm's hottest model has proved enduringly popular on our long-term fleet, and we're not quite ready to part company just yet.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Gavin Ward

September 2003

This was supposed to be the final long-term test report on our SEAT Leon Cupra R. As we have now had the keys to GJ52 KHB for more than nine months, the manufacturer decided it was high time we gave them back. Trouble is, the Spanish firm's hottest model has proved enduringly popular on our long-term fleet, and we're not quite ready to part company just yet.
Some smooth talking ensued, and as a result the 210bhp car thankfully remains with us, albeit for only a couple more months. And they certainly won't be quiet ones - we've got much planned for the twin-intercooled and turbocharged SEAT. Not that things have been peaceful since the Leon's last report appeared in issue 756.
Back in May, the car did sterling service at our MotorDrive LiVe event at Millbrook in Bedfordshire. Over three days, we took scores of readers out for hot laps in it, and although they were impressed by its pace and grip around the dry-handling circuit, the event took its toll on the front tyres. The mobile Dial-a-Tyre service was called (0800 019 0202) and a van dispatched to our HQ.
Unfortunately, fitting replacements wasn't that straightforward. The Pirelli PZero Rossos that were standard on the car are now no longer available, so slightly different Pirelli Direzionales had to be sourced. This left me with a ΂£309.68 bill - so you can imagine how I felt a fortnight later when a nail pierced the fresh rubber. Thankfully, the puncture could be repaired - but it cost another ΂£15 and meant yet more time spent hanging around while the Leon was up on jacks. (It also highlighted one of the Leon's irritations - the jacking point has a plastic cover that is tricky to refit.)
A month later, and with 10,896 miles on the clock, it was time to get the Leon checked out. The service light hadn't yet come on, but given the hard time the car had endured, plus a squeaking dashboard that was becoming very annoying and distracting, I felt that a bit of TLC was needed. Reliance of Walthamstow, London, did what was necessary and stamped the logbook, all for a very agreeable ΂£56.
But that wasn't the end of it. To cure the noisy dashboard, an overnight stay would be required to enable the mechanics to take the interior apart. A date was set for the work to be done, and a courtesy car was lined up. But in the interim the rattle stopped, as did the crackling radio reception which had previously blighted the Leon.
So the second visit to Reliance was cancelled, and since then the SEAT has reverted to its old reliable self. It's still a joy to drive. The six-speed gearbox is as smooth as ever, while the 1.8-litre engine provides plenty of grunt with minimal turbo lag. Admittedly, the interior is starting to look tired, and a good end-of-summer clean is in order. Also, the front splitter is slightly scuffed where it has scraped on car park ramps, while two of the alloy wheels have suffered against kerbs.
As you read this, the Leon will be heading across France back to its spiritual home of Barcelona as part of a Continental trip. Following this, a track day is planned before the car finally returns to SEAT - watch out for our final report to see how it fares. Not that I need much convincing of the Cupra R's talents. The Millbrook experience proved it is as capable cutting it against the clock as it is transporting rubbish to the dump. The combination of pace and practicality means ΂£16,995 has never looked so much of a bargain.