Seat Leon Cupra 280

Build on the MQB-Platform, this car shares most of its genes with the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R20. "But it has to be different right?" Yup, where the other twohave AWD systems, the Leon Cupra 280 has to cope with only a FWD system. Meaning less grip and of the line acceleration potential, but the Leon has 2 tricks up its sleeve.One being obvious and the other one not so much. One of them is the lower weight of the car, measuring in at nearly 50kg lighter the its two brothers. Making the 0 to a 100 time just 5,7( 5,4 tested) seconds when equipped with the DGS transmission. The other trick is the mechanical diff between the front wheels, making traction a whole other game once underway.

Seat is very proud of this car and for good reasons, being far cheaper than the other two it is a very, very good value for money. One of the reasons they are so damn proud of this car, is the fact that they have shortly knocked the FWD king ( read: Megan RS) of its throne. Renault recaptured it only months later though.

"How does it drive?" 

F*ck me this car is addictive, that diff. just makes you want to put your foot down halfway through every corner. But it has a tremendous versatility to it, with the changeable ' modes' you can either have a rather quick hot hatch or one that is completely mental.

The ' Mental' mode is officially named Cupra by Seat, stiffening the suspension and sharpening up everything from gas response to steering.

And then there's the exhaust note, those downshift are right on the spot.

"Would i recommend this car?"

Yeah, I really really would. I cannot name a brand offering this much performance for this money with this kind of level of options on the car. I'm hooked. If you're an owner and have been for a while please comment your longterm experience with this car below.

Styling	3/5
Performance	4/5
Handling	5/5
Fun factor	5/5
overall	9/10

Special thanks to Rijnwoud Rotterdam for lending us the Cupra 280.