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The Ibiza Cupra R is the most extreme vehicle to wear that Seat badge and anyone expecting superhuman feats won't be disappointed as pound-forpound this is one of the best hot hatches around.
The Cupra R is distinguished from the standard [Leon] by lashings of sporty styling. At the lashings of sporty styling. At the front it wears a glossy black grille while the angular diffuser ups the testosterone level.
Factfile: Model: Seat Leon Cupra R Engine: 2-litre TFSI Power: 265PS 0-62mph: 6.2 seconds Fuel economy: 34.9mpg combined CO2 emissions: 190g/km Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles Price: pounds 11,780 On sale: Now
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HOT hatches are a great way of generating kudos for your brand but rarely do they have the same impact on manufacturers' balance sheets ... unless you are Seat.
Almost a third of the Spanish car maker's sales are of sporty hatchbacks like the FR and Cupra versions of the Ibiza and Leon.
So when the firm launch their fastest and most powerful model, it's a big deal - not just in terms of image but sales as well.
The Ibiza Cupra R is the most extreme vehicle to wear that Seat badge and anyone expecting superhuman feats won't be disappointed as pound-forpound this is one of the best hot hatches around.
Priced at a shade over pounds 25,000, the Cupra combines the two-litre turbocharged engine of a VW Golf GTI with smart looks, brilliant driving dynamics and bags of youthful appeal.
The Cupra R is distinguished from the standard Leon by lashings of sporty styling. At the lashings of sporty styling. At the front it wears a glossy black grille while the angular diffuser ups the testosterone level.
This glossy black finish is echoed in the door mirror casings and further back in the rear diffuser, created for the UK market.
The tarmac-hugging profile has been accentuated and it sits closer to the ground than the Cupra. Meanwhile, the bright red brake callipers of the original make a welcome return.
Plenty of these cars are going to end up in the hands of boy racers but there's nothing garish about the looks which remain on the classy side of the spectrum.
Britain is the No1 hot hatch market because we love emulating our motorsport heroes. Seat certainly have the pedigree as reigning World Touring Cars champions World Touring Cars champions and, although the race model is diesel rather than petrol powered,both engines produce 265PS.
The Cupra R has 25PS more than the 240PS Cupra and the difference is noticeable. It goes from zero to 62mph in 6.2 seconds.
A lovely, rasping engine note emits from the two-litre engine when you start to push hard. Meanwhile, sharp steering and masses of grip mean you will be tempted to get your new toy out on track straight away.
I took one for a spin down at Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire and had a blast throwing her into bends at high speed.
With Charlie Butler Henderson, brother of Fifth Gear presenter Vicky, showing us how it was done, it wasn't long before the amateurs were before the amateurs were pushing the envelope.
The interior benefits from a number of enhancements such as the aluminium sports pedals, leather clad bucket seats and Cupra R badging.
Key equipment includes 19-inch alloys, twin chrome exhausts and a rear roof spoiler.
It's a good-looking car thanks to the design direction of former Lamborghini style guru Luc Doc. Only the Scirocco R is better looking but it costs pounds 28,505.
Seat's range-topping Leon succeeds because it undercuts hot hatches of a similar power level or has more power than ones of a similar price tag.
The Spanish manufacturers have set the bar high - now it is up to the others to play catch-up.
To see footage of the Seat Leon Cupra R on track visit www.roadrecord.co.uk
Factfile: Model: Seat Leon Cupra R Engine: 2-litre TFSI Power: 265PS 0-62mph: 6.2 seconds Fuel economy: 34.9mpg combined CO2 emissions: 190g/km Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles Price: pounds 11,780 On sale: Now
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