SEAT Leon Cupra 280: Hothead Hatchback - XCAR

[@smiffymiffed2734]

Just bought a Cupra 280, two weeks ago....after having a few Leon FR's.....all I can say is, what a fantastic car to own....you wont be disappointed if your thinking about buying one.....

[@altern8ive]

sat in mine for the first time today, collecting it in just over 3 weeks :) ***** for me, moving to a 5-door from a 3-door, the 275 doesn't have the practicality and space to make it an every day driver. and for the record, this wasn't painted yellow, it was wrapped by CreativeFX. peel it off and you'll find a white one underneath.

[@nianugget]

white lion bar

[@Shevchenkocss]

Do you still have it ?

[@jasonjay7650]

Did you ever have any issues with the thermostat housing or water pump?

[@powerofpinesol8002]

Such a nice looking car. Wish it was available in the US but Europe gets all the good toys.

[@cypv12]

Really?Would americans pay the equivalent of 35k dollars for a front-wheel drive,4 cylinder hatchback?I highly doubt it...Anyway be happy that for about the same money you could buy a V8 Mustang with over 400hp...And I envy you guys for that.

[@powerofpinesol8002]

I would buy this for more refinement, handles better, and is more practical.

[@Maurazio]

well for handling and refinement i'd go for a golf R. this is the lowest in terms of refinement of the 3 vw hothatches.

[@powerofpinesol8002]

I would go for the Golf R or the S3 too in terms of refinement and performance but if I was on a budget looking for refinement, practicality, and decent performance I would check this out.

[@Dgannt]

Maurazio Actually this beats Golf R in handling. It's been tested twice on track. The Golf R is heavier and understeers too much in corners.

[@rossgoodwin2700]

Went for a spin in a 2018 cupra 300bhp dsg today! Totally changed my perspective of hot hatches and what a fast car actually is , needless to say I now want a hot hot hatch 😁

[@johnjackson12]

I know some people will feel a little cheated that the electronics do most of the work, but i for one are glad they are there! Not everybody has the skill to control all the power all of the time and its nice to know they are there to keep you out of the hedges if you get a bit carried away lol

[@v_alexiadis]

I've said this in every Cupra review I've watched, I love this car and will most likely be my next car! By the way, the one used for the Nurb lap time is a harder version that will also be offered. Brembo brakes, stickier tyres, lighter alloys and maybe a few other things as well. TG Mag used it in their Speed Week test.

[@ssllhh100]

no AC and a manual box coz the DSG is heavy yes its fast but is it as fun as a focus ST ?

[@v_alexiadis]

ssllhh100 It does have AC. The Megane doesn't it. It may not be as fun as the ST but for me it looks much better, it has better equipment and it's faster.

[@v_alexiadis]

***** OK sorry yeah. But the Megane is still much less usable.

[@iansherman7964]

***** I run the Ohlins Road and Track on my Evo X. Absolutely phenomenal suspension, rides beautifully and is so very predictable. For under 3 grand you can't find better.

[@willpark7483]

ianiva I see you got the Cupra, how is it?

[@DedicationBlog]

I've got the previous gen Leon Cupra R and can't say I've ever noticed any torque steer at all really when flooring it in the lower gears (and I've had it remapped to just under 300 bhp). I do really like the look of these new ones though

[@LivingLifeSlower]

Same here. Astra J VXR now running close to 340 and no torque steer to cry about. Times have moved on.

[@pvultureb8341]

The design is so freaging awesome.

[@DreamCarGarage1]

It needs to have looks to compare with the insane power. The previous generation had the BTTC inspired K1. That was a sweet body kit and gave the Cupra real road presence.

[@LivingLifeSlower]

The K1 was a bucket.

[@SlammedProductions]

Awesome quality vid, always top effort from XCAR

[@karlblower4019]

Pretty much bought my Cupra because of this video

[@ayrtonatif572]

Cupra R with over 300 hp and four wheel drive bias to the rear will be an amazingly awesome car.

[@gordon238]

VW Golf R mk7

[@ayrtonatif572]

gordon238 the four wheel drive on the Golf R or any other VW is one of the most boring ever

[@Maurazio]

gordon238 that has an haldex, i think he's speaking about a torsen like longitudinal audis.

[@ayrtonatif572]

Maurazio am i right or wrong that haldex can never deliver a proper sporty drive. Any four wheel drive to make it deliver a sporty performance drive it has to be atleast 70-30.

[@iansherman7964]

Ayrton Atif I had a MK5 R32. I bought an aftermarket haldex controller. NIGHT AND DAY difference, holy shit, I could actually get the rear end to break free in race mode and it killed the terrible understeer. That said, Haldex is just an inferior AWD system, period.

[@johngo1]

How does it compare to the Focus ST in terms of dynamics (accelerating, cornering, braking) and functionality (interior space, trunk space, etc.) ?

[@hyphon12]

The Cupra is the top spec Leon at the moment but doubt it always will be in this generation of the Leon, I'd be shocked if they don't up it again with a Cupra R. So I wouldn't compare this to the Golf R, RS3 or even the Megane 275 in terms of "which is faster".

[@bry4n3]

That matte yellow Cupra is ace.

[@cristianghita]

How did you manage to get this in yellow? I thought they scrapped this colour from series production Leon (a big mistake if you're asking me).

[@SpartanEx7]

Beautiful colour, but it is not yellow painted, it is wrapped. You can see it on the B pillar, it's pity that yellow colour isn't offered.

[@madant7777]

It is like that on every Leon.

[@jojo0827]

Dont most all car manufacturers paint their b pilars a gloss black now?

[@SpartanEx7]

***** No it is not, I have red Leon and that part is painted red in my Leon. Anyway, yellow is not offered on Leon at all, so it has to be wrapped.

[@SpartanEx7]

SpartanEx7 Oh, I ment interior part of B pillar, exterior part is black of course.

[@Itsogaitnas]

You should do a Volkswagen Scirocco R 2016 review!

[@levelautofreak8046]

I like Spain, i like Leon!

[@80PercentAshamedOfU]

Europe has the best roads for drivers like us, and their cars seem sculpted around them. I wish we got some of their more affordable cars here in the us.

[@Silverboarding]

well this car comes insane from fabric with 280 bhp, I am the owner of a Seat Leon FR and I electronically unlimiting the car and is very fast, but whit this one you will get more power if you chip the car

[@fullwerkes]

Precisely why I bought one!

[@TheCinderellaman10]

Whats the launch control like? Does it just spin up even in the dry as that would be disappointing even though it comes standard with a front lsd

[@fullwerkes]

@@TheCinderellaman10 with decent rubber it chirps the tires but it's pretty good for fwd car. The dogbone mount strength is more of an issue with launching the car.

[@TheCinderellaman10]

@@fullwerkes thats good to hear, am looking for one of these or the gti, uprated mounts all over should sort it

[@fabrizioleoni8047]

I love it in yellow!

[@ayrtonatif572]

Get a banana lol. I is kidding me likey in yellow aswell

[@trykkermike]

They are not gonna make a Cupra R out of this.. The list of hot-hatches at VW Group is currently like this: Step 1 = Golf GTI, Step 2 = Leon Cupra 280, Step 3 = Golf R or Audi S3, Step 4 = Audi RS3 (which will be on the market soon) - and thats it - only the most expensive hatch from the VW Group will come with the most power.

[@Big1_]

Michael Hansen The Cupra R is on the way.... It will have 320hp. Sorry man, stay crying.

[@LivingLifeSlower]

+Survivalist Stay crying? - You're kinda weird.

[@Daledondale193]

I love this car

[@catocaster2985]

This is a Hothatch no question.

[@MrMichaaH]

Nice Video. It would be easier to find if you add Cupra 280 in title!

[@johnmayer5031]

I really want to know what kind of watch he's wearing!!!

[@OussamaErraji]

yellow really suits the car

[@kingdre64]

Quesion, Does the cupra share the same chasis as the Kia Cerato hatch back? I see strong similarities between the two.

[@Maurazio]

it's vw group mqb, why would be a kia lol

[@FronkG]

Kia??

[@ricardolourizela5961]

Evidently not.

[@turbo311]

I wish Seat was sold in the US. They're building better hot hatches than VW for less money with the same parts.

[@johnnybegood2006]

Where i can buy the Cupra in Yellow? Oo Im from germany.

[@eriks9505]

Nice Mondaine watch

[@4lc0n22]

Erik Anon do you know model this is?

[@eriks9505]

Mark Plunkett to the looks of it, it could be the Evo Big Automatic www.mondaine.com/watches/official-swiss-railways-watch/classic/a132-30359-16sbb.html

[@ferrari458960]

Awesome car! I had to smile at 1:52 „You wont use top speed in the real world“ I feel sorry for all the non-germans who never can drive their cars for what they are made for because of tedious speed restrictions.

[@billyoulis9031]

when testing a car with both automatic and manual options, could you please choose the manual.

[@apache1234657]

I wonder if that big ass turbos gonna ruin reliability

[@robinmarples5198]

Take it in manual gear box, and you ll be more in the '' process'' as you say

[@TangoR34]

no manual though :(

[@ricardolourizela5961]

There *is* a manual option.

[@blackspiral69]

The manual costs less.... DSG is an optional extra... I think this model also had the sunroof option (hence the dark roof)

[@vubevube]

the car is beautiful but why does stock wheels always have to be so ugly? (the 2nd gen Cupra R 19 inch wheels being the only exception.) Put some OZ crono 3 or ultraleggeras on this bad boy and it will be truly a masterpiece.

[@LancelotMooreYorke]

this sucks that the mazdaspeed 3 i have comes with 263hp stock with a 2.3 turbo i believe. this has a 2.0l with 280!! the 2.0l turbo vdubs in canada come with like 200hp. America sucks!!

[@kanaric]

The GTI there doesn't have 280. Only this SEAT does. Blame VW, they don't want to bring cars like this to the US. Focus RS coming soon so that shouold satisfy you. Even the Focus ST. That car may even be more fun.

[@Thesaltyseafish]

***** Actually the new GTi makes 320hp 380 tq and runs a 13.1 on the 1/4 with nothing but a remap.

[@johnnyguindi6010]

Thesaltyseafish ...Said the liar

[@Thesaltyseafish]

dyno and track proven by apr, and they do not mess around. forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?7007282-APR-Presents-the-MK7-GTI-ECU-Upgrade! Supposedly they managed a 12.6 with slicks and race gas as well. The mk7 has a much larger turbo and even better fuel injection. It's very common to make big power out of the VW turbo cars without swapping the internals, because German engines are built better. 300WTQ is the standard for stock rods on a 2000-2004 1.8T, 350wtq for the 2.0T FSI, and the newer ones are in the realm of 450wtq. Add 100 to those figures for pistons and water/meth or lower compression with a headspacer and like $500 in ARP bolts. This is with a stock engine with a bolted on intake manifold, exhaust manifold, larger turbo, turbo-back exhaust, injectors, and a better intercooler. The game has changed, and VW is finally offering a reasonably sized turbo with the stock cars.

[@altern8ive]

Thesaltyseafish "nothing but a remap" - Revo stage 1 (which also is only a remap) still gives the Cupra 20 - 50hp more than APR

[@omarseyed5230]

Ooh

[@Shaunoconnor711]

Megane 275 would win!

[@demonofrazgriz89]

"Top speed of 155mph" What is with the brits and electronically limiting their cars all the damn time -_-

[@BakedPrawns]

Generally British made cars aren't limited. This is a VW group car. Most German manufacturers, like VW, Audi, Mercedes, BMW limit their cars to 155.

[@SeanWalkerSW]

horrible in yellow but a beaut in black

[@LivingLifeSlower]

Circa 250 lbs/ft!??? That's crap.

[@omarseyed5230]

57 views

[@bfcricky]

No matter what styling cues Seat use their cars still look dull.

[@ikybaiiki]

Turn around you're looking at wrong car...........😂😭

[@T_3rR4h]

Ugly. Like the cheap offspring of a RS3 and mk2 focus st.. volvo c30 crossed with a Opal OPC-like interior, not quite as bland, but definitely cheaper looking... Nope doesn't win my heart. Hopefully Seat finds their identity and defines it soon enough

[@WalterModel45]

volvo much expensive and slower

[@Tanivek]

Bleh