3 links appear to be open. Let's have one dedicated link?
lets have some semblance of order;
Aesthetics: I am very disappointed. Looks like my Mrs gave it a dusting of her copper eye liner. I heard there was a special edition R coming to these shores and was hoping for side skirts as standard and maybe some more aggressive styling. Not civic type R shizzle but something to step it up a little. No just some poorly conceived colour scheme. I'm sorry but what were the designers thinking when they signed off copper alloys. I can't dcide whether the orange line option is an equally poor choice or not.
Engine: well lets face it the EA888 is a cracker in most forms. I thought that SEAT, being the slightly bonkers relation to VAG (historically) would produce some inspiring uplift in power, but no. Seems to be the same story of not wanting to cannibalise sales from Audi S3 and golf R. The bean counters have again had their way.
Handling and brakes: ok, seems they have fitted what is essentially the sub 8 pack to this. Is it worth the extra for what 90% will use as a road car? Probably not. Comments welcome.
Interior and comfort: I'm not that interested. It's bland and depressing in most VAG iterations and this still looks vaguely bland and ****. Let's face it we are predominantly here for driving dynamics and not how effective your IGalaxy connects to the shitefii
Summary: well I was hoping to chop in the 290 for another cupra offering a fairly significant step up in performance (read I was hoping for around 340 bhp and some significant tweaks such as sufficiently strong engine mounts and a stronger mechanical diff, or possibly an AWD system to rival mistsubishi Evo's, none of this is important most of the time I know) just my opinion but I think the cupra has been left behind the competition, maybe because a new cupra line will be launched in around 18 months. Here's to hoping.
I'm disappointed to say the least. In around 12 months I will likely leave the SEAT brand and lean towards an E90 BMW M3 or a used AMG E63 for shits and giggles. I have even considered the new 310ps Audi S3 for the haldex or an IS-F, oh the horror! I love the 290, handling is superb and yes it is very very quick most of the time. It is just missing that extra something to set it apart from a very competent hot hatch crowd. I hope that SEAT do launch the CUPRA brand as a separate entity and hire some talented designers and engineers(hopefully from RenaultSport or Lotus). This is just my initial thoughts. I am quite sad to see the massive opportunity that has been missed here. Or perhaps the cupra has already reached its pinnacle in present form?
Answers on a postcard welcome!
lets have some semblance of order;
Aesthetics: I am very disappointed. Looks like my Mrs gave it a dusting of her copper eye liner. I heard there was a special edition R coming to these shores and was hoping for side skirts as standard and maybe some more aggressive styling. Not civic type R shizzle but something to step it up a little. No just some poorly conceived colour scheme. I'm sorry but what were the designers thinking when they signed off copper alloys. I can't dcide whether the orange line option is an equally poor choice or not.
Engine: well lets face it the EA888 is a cracker in most forms. I thought that SEAT, being the slightly bonkers relation to VAG (historically) would produce some inspiring uplift in power, but no. Seems to be the same story of not wanting to cannibalise sales from Audi S3 and golf R. The bean counters have again had their way.
Handling and brakes: ok, seems they have fitted what is essentially the sub 8 pack to this. Is it worth the extra for what 90% will use as a road car? Probably not. Comments welcome.
Interior and comfort: I'm not that interested. It's bland and depressing in most VAG iterations and this still looks vaguely bland and ****. Let's face it we are predominantly here for driving dynamics and not how effective your IGalaxy connects to the shitefii
Summary: well I was hoping to chop in the 290 for another cupra offering a fairly significant step up in performance (read I was hoping for around 340 bhp and some significant tweaks such as sufficiently strong engine mounts and a stronger mechanical diff, or possibly an AWD system to rival mistsubishi Evo's, none of this is important most of the time I know) just my opinion but I think the cupra has been left behind the competition, maybe because a new cupra line will be launched in around 18 months. Here's to hoping.
I'm disappointed to say the least. In around 12 months I will likely leave the SEAT brand and lean towards an E90 BMW M3 or a used AMG E63 for shits and giggles. I have even considered the new 310ps Audi S3 for the haldex or an IS-F, oh the horror! I love the 290, handling is superb and yes it is very very quick most of the time. It is just missing that extra something to set it apart from a very competent hot hatch crowd. I hope that SEAT do launch the CUPRA brand as a separate entity and hire some talented designers and engineers(hopefully from RenaultSport or Lotus). This is just my initial thoughts. I am quite sad to see the massive opportunity that has been missed here. Or perhaps the cupra has already reached its pinnacle in present form?
Answers on a postcard welcome!
