SEAT Leon Cupra 'ring lap UPDATE
SEAT confirms Performance Pack; 'fesses up that record car mods included stripping out air-con
Assuming you wanted one that was here's the full information on that Performance Pack spec. First up, the 'ring car was stripped of its air-con system in what we can safely assume was a weight-saving exercise curiously not mentioned in the initial press release celebrating the record. This subsequent disclosure does mean SEAT is honour bound to offer that choice to Performance Pack buyers too, even if it expects few to go that far.
New wheels, brakes and tyres and no air-con
SEAT expects to have the pack ready for sale before the end of the year with UK pricing and availability to be confirmed.
Meaning if you absolutely, positively have to have your Cupra in full 'ring record spec and truly live up to that hype you'll have to wait, tick the necessary box and then source some Mk2 Cupra alloys for the finished look. And explain to your no doubt awe-struck passengers that sweaty pits are the price to pay for ultimate Nurburgring credibility, all the while hoping Vauxhall doesn't run the Astra Extreme round there any time soon and steal the record for its own ends.
Whether or not any of the above actually matters diddly squat to anyone beyond Nurburgring anoraks is something for the already lively discussion thread below...
You can order a Cupra but it won't do 7:58
Our story about the SEAT Leon Cupra scoring the first sub eight-minute lap of the Nordschleife for a front-driven car was one of the most eagerly discussed from Geneva last week. Of course any story about 'ring lap willy waggling inevitably prompts strong feelings, be that on whether or not the car used is representative of the one you can actually buy or, indeed, the whole validity of lap times to the cars we drive.
But the fact that it's a talking point means, well, it'll remain a talking point.
Following that initial announcement there's one aspect of the SEAT's lap record that stands further scrutiny, prompted in this instance by a tip off from what we'll describe as 'an interested party'. Namely the press release announcing the record said it was achieved in a car fitted with an optional Performance Pack. An optional Performance Pack you can't actually buy, the small print admits. Or not yet, anyway.
Officially this mythical pack includes - includes - Brembo brake calipers, 'specially designed' 19-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tyres. Whether there is anything more to it, how much it'll cost and when it'll actually be offered is something we asked SEAT. 'We'll get back to you on that...' was the gist of the response.
Standard brakes not up to job of 'ring records
There's no suggestion that you won't be able at some stage to buy a Leon Cupra in the same spec as the 'ring record car (camo wrap may or may not be offered...) but, for whatever reason, the one you can buy right now won't be capable of that sub-eight time out of the box. Just in case you were planning a trip to Germany to demonstrate this feat to your mates.
We'll update you on the price and availability of the Performance Pack as soon as we hear back from SEAT.
Sell a few more performance packs maybe as well. Cant see them not offering it though. Offered big brakes on the Ibiza as an optional extra for long enough.
The real difference will come from those Tyres.
Oh and lets not forget Gene.
Starting to think the whole ring thing is a load of b
ks and more than that, a little boring
1 - Most people drive to work in/around the speed limit prob not even getting out of 4th gear.
2 - We arent god's gift to driving and need to be at 10/10ths all the time.
3 - If you quote 'yeah it does the ring in sub 8' to anyone you are an utter bell end of TOWIE proportions.
Rant over... but seriously... why the hell are people fixated with the ring? Having been lucky enough to drive the ring, sure its a 'WOW' experience, but in no way did it influence my 3 mile drive to the gym yesterday, or my drive round the M25 to slough last week!
1 - Most people drive to work in/around the speed limit prob not even getting out of 4th gear.
2 - We arent god's gift to driving and need to be at 10/10ths all the time.
3 - If you quote 'yeah it does the ring in sub 8' to anyone you are an utter bell end of TOWIE proportions.
Rant over... but seriously... why the hell are people fixated with the ring? Having been lucky enough to drive the ring, sure its a 'WOW' experience, but in no way did it influence my 3 mile drive to the gym yesterday, or my drive round the M25 to slough last week!
Yes its nonsense, but so are Top Gear Power laps, the fact is they are benchmarks. A common track with a variety of corners and inclines that challenges much of what a car can do, a time set by one car can therefore be compared to another.
People need to stop moaning and live with it, until a better metric is conceived a 'ring time is an indicator, despite its design flattering some types of vehicle over others.
Irrespective, the Cupra is clearly a quick car... shame its made by Seat.
As a purely abstract level, I find these sorts of things interesting, but if anything a fast 'ring time would actually put me off buying a road car because the compromises required to make a road car fast on a track, even one like the ring, are not insignificant.
1 - Most people drive to work in/around the speed limit prob not even getting out of 4th gear.
2 - We arent god's gift to driving and need to be at 10/10ths all the time.
3 - If you quote 'yeah it does the ring in sub 8' to anyone you are an utter bell end of TOWIE proportions.
Rant over... but seriously... why the hell are people fixated with the ring? Having been lucky enough to drive the ring, sure its a 'WOW' experience, but in no way did it influence my 3 mile drive to the gym yesterday, or my drive round the M25 to slough last week!
If you want a car that can do the daily commute and the occasional trackday, why wouldn't you take note of the performance credentials?
To MOST people it probably doesn't matter. This is a motoring website though, it is called Pistonheads, just in case you've forgotten.
As a purely abstract level, I find these sorts of things interesting, but if anything a fast 'ring time would actually put me off buying a road car because the compromises required to make a road car fast on a track, even one like the ring, are not insignificant.
Yes its nonsense, but so are Top Gear Power laps, the fact is they are benchmarks. A common track with a variety of corners and inclines that challenges much of what a car can do, a time set by one car can therefore be compared to another.
People need to stop moaning and live with it, until a better metric is conceived a 'ring time is an indicator, despite its design flattering some types of vehicle over others.
Irrespective, the Cupra is clearly a quick car... shame its made by Seat.
The real difference will come from those Tyres.
Oh and lets not forget Gene.
Starting to think the whole ring thing is a load of b
ks and more than that, a little boringHave you ever done a big brake upgrade on a car? have you ever had a timed lap with them and without them? i worked in the motor industry for 10 years and i can tell you now that big brakes make a hugh difference as i did a day at MIRA with Alfa on the Giulietta 1.4 Multi Air with standard brakes and brembo'd both me and the fully trained race driver got faster laps with the car with big brakes due to being able to brake later and harder.
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