Frankfurt Motor Show The Bad

SEAT We need to talk about SEAT.

Specifically, about Cupra. Once upon a time, SEAT’s sporting brand could be relied upon to do something a little different – something brightly coloured, boasting more power than its Volkswagen Group equivalents and fizzing with a Balearic vibe that gave SEAT a youthful customer base the envy of every other company in the industry.

The Leon Cupra R presented at Frankfurt had barely a hint of that, despite its wider arches and a promise of real carbon fibre components, stiffer engine mounts and a revised chassis. Where are the bright colours? (The choice is black or grey.) Where’s the Golf R-crushing power output? (The SEAT matches the VW on 306bhp – and then only if you take the manual gearbox.) Where’s the price tag to undercut a GTI? (A price hasn’t been announced yet, but it will inevitably be the wrong side of £30k.)