Chair Leon Cupra R 225 | Spotted

Although not impossible, a fourth Leon Cupra R now seems unlikely. Perhaps something will be split off that will be the Golf ‘R350’, and maybe Cupra will be interested in Nurburgring -Ronde times with the downfall of the Civic Type R, but that really doesn’t really seem to be what the brand is now. Difficult to argue with the business feeling: see how much Atecas, Brembo-Braked Forentors and Atacama desert are tavascans, now. Making SUVs is much more lucrative than hot shutters with a limited run, no matter how much we want to pretend.

The previous connection was a real cult classic, an example of how to do it well. Offered as an estate (with £ 500, 350 hp ABT upgrade possible) or super serious – Cup 2 tires, only manually, 24 RHD units – Hatchback, it was quite a bit of registration for chair -bathed cupras. Since then, the model has been a very decent hot hatch, albeit without the kind of enthusiastic concessions that previously made so sympathetic: no nice colors, no manual gearboxes, not option packages called ‘Sub8 Ultimate’. Cupra is nowadays a bit too cool for all that. Or would you like it.

The success of the Leons has always been fairly simple: more power, more Swagger, not much more money. The second car offered 265 hp for a very busy front axle in 2009 for just £ 23k. It also contained a color catalog that was copied directly from Stabilo Boss, which was great.

And before that, this Leon, the original Cupra R. was the very first Leon Cupra, launched at the end of the 20th century, arrived just in time for the Renaissance of the Hot Hatch and was perfectly thrown: faster than a Golf GTI, better looking at five doors a little better to be (thanks Giugiaro), perfect. A few years later a 210 hp-cupra R, with his handsome new wheels and body kit, because hot shutters were a big problem 20 years ago, the 225 hp Cupra R. who with the BAM engine, the one who wants everyone.

And here is a part 225, owned by only two keepers for 22 years (they were neighbors, one bought it from the other in 2006) and with only 44,000 miles. It really feels like one of those cars that fell a bit off the radar, never with the next of GTIs or the more exciting shutters of that time, but with enough still to recommend it. Even in gray, even depicted next to transits, a part looks fantastic.

In almost two decades it has been with his current owner, the Leon was only used for longer journeys and stored in a garage; So it is free from scratches or, really, a lot of wear. A good unchanged gem, in principle, even if it wants a cambelt as quickly as possible. Something to perhaps invoice an offer. The advantage of not having GTI heritage is not a GTI price card: the Cupra R is for sale at £ 10,990. An ideal distraction from no new warm shutters, certainly.

Engine: 1,781cc, four-cil turbo
Transfer: Manual with 6 gears, front -wheel drive
Power (HP): 225@5.900 TPM
Couple (LB FT): 207@2.200-5.500 rpm
MPG: 32.5
CO2: 211g/km
First registered: 2003
Recorded kilometers: 44,190
Price new: £ 16,995 (2002)
Yours for: £ 10.990