Credit score the place it’s because of Cupra, it’s going nice weapons these days. Because the quickest rising automotive logo in Europe it’s in truth were given VW wondering what to do with SEAT now – there used to be some dialogue about transitioning it right into a mobility answers supplier a couple of weeks again. That’s on best of creating automobiles just like the Born, which makes lifestyles tougher for the VW similar than any previous SEAT did, in addition to promoting what seems to be 300,000 Formentors in the United Kingdom. They’re in all places. With the Tavascan at the approach. 

However even with all that going for Cupra (plus a good motorsport presence and cool ideas) there is no longer in point of fact been the rest to get fanatics’ blood pumping. There have been rumours of a couple of five-cyliner Formentors coming right here, which amounted to only 10 automobiles, the Born is healthier than ID 3 however some distance from thrilling, and the Cupra Leon struggles to justify its top class over the previous fashion. There’s hope, in fact – if little to turn for it these days. However the haters will have to glance the place the emblem used to be 5 years in the past. They transfer briefly in Barcelona…

As soon as upon a time, the Cupra SEATs had been just about scorching hatch royalty. Now not in all probability as deft or as refined as the perfect riding pocket rockets, however speedy, amusing, trendy and nice price – way over part the combat received. There used to be some motorsport good fortune to have fun, too, the ones 16v Ibizas of the mid-Nineteen Nineties paying tribute to F2 rally wins. Which is all the time cool. 

It used to be with the unique Leon Cupra, then again (as soon as the title had modified from 20VT) that the SEAT scorching hatch in point of fact got here excellent. Sure, the inner used to be undeniable and there used to be a Golfing buried beneath someplace, nevertheless it used to be less expensive than a GTI, extra trendy than the rest with 5 doorways had a proper to be, and in a position to greater than 140mph – consequence. SEAT twigged it used to be onto a excellent factor, including a 210hp Cupra R a few years later and completing up the primary era of racy Leons with a 225hp R from 2002. In spite of the the badge having persevered within the Leon lineup within the two decades since, memorably with the most up-to-date Cupra R, it’s debatable that none made moderately the affect of the first actual. 

As of late, as with such a lot else, it’s tough to discover a in point of fact excellent 225hp automotive. They weren’t moderately of the calibre (or following) of choices just like the Golfing R32, 147 GTA and Center of attention RS, no longer a scorching hatch to stay for highest or scurry away to keep. Or lavish love on after they was reasonable to shop for. There are many Cupra Rs nonetheless round, it kind of feels, although many regarded to have lived a lifestyles.

A couple of gem stones stay, then again, like this one. A pink instance from 2003, it’s but to move 30,000 miles – fair. It hasn’t ever failed an MOT since 2006, with its first advisory no longer till 2011 and clean-as-a-whistle passes within the final 4 exams. The advert suggests the historical past is ‘very good’, too. 

Certainly seems nice from right here – the Leon has elderly brilliantly, with the situation of wheels and paint an actual testomony to earlier house owners. It’ll for sure nonetheless draw a couple of admiring glances in 2023, which is acceptable while you imagine that an asking value of £15k is best cash for the sort of. And whilst Cupra most definitely doesn’t have the emblem cachet of one thing just like the VQ Golfing GTI, the nice previous days will nonetheless be remembered via a passionate few – this Leon best wishes one in every of them to proceed its tale. 

Engine: 1,781cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: six-speed guide, front-wheel pressure
Energy (hp): 225@5,900rpm
Torque (lb feet): 207@2,200-5,500rpm
MPG: 32.5
CO2: 211g/km
First registered: 2003
Recorded mileage: 29,707
Value new: £16,995 (2002)
Yours for: £14,995