RE: SEAT smashes FWD 'ring record: Geneva 2014
Tuesday 4th March 2014
Do 'ring lap times matter? It's a debate we've had, and probably will have again, often here on PH but if you ask SEAT they do. Ask Renault and you'd get a 'oui'. Ask Honda and you'd get a 'oh ... damn' as the bright spark who decided publicly declaring a record FWD 'ring lap as a development goal for the Civic Type R was a good idea looks at his feet.
That's a 'production spec' disguise presumablySlightly improbably following on from the lead of the Porsche 918 Spyder at the Frankfurt show last year SEAT chose to unveil the new Leon Cupra 280 formally to the world off the back of confirming a new record lap time. 7min 58.4sec cracks the eight-minute barrier for the first time for a car driving from the front axle, beating the the Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy's 8min 8sec record by nearly 10 seconds. Bear in mind when we spoke with him Walter Rohrl credited his first sub-eight minute lap in a 911 - a 996 GT3 - as a noteworthy achievement and you begin to understand the rate of progress hot hatches have made in the 15 years since.
Leon Cup Racer looks like a right giggle - want!Given that our overall verdict on the Cupra when we drove it was 'nice, possibly a bit sensible' the 'ring lap does inject a bit of spice into the car and whatever the relevance of that time it reasserts SEAT as the performance brand within the VW stable. A point underlined by the tasty looking Leon Cup Racer touring car which takes to the tracks in May as part of the SEAT Leon Eurocup.
SEAT smashes FWD 'ring record: Geneva 2014
New Cupra launches at Geneva off back of record breaking FWD 'ring lap
That's a 'production spec' disguise presumably
SEAT says the car that achieved the time, driven by SEAT ETCC and WTCC driver Jordi Gene, was a standard production specification Cupra 280 DSG with the optional performance pack that adds Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
Leon Cup Racer looks like a right giggle - want!
Can of worms now levered open how long before Vauxhall/Opel decides to initiate a production run of Astra Extremes and head off to the Eifel. And will Renaultsport take this lying down?
Discussion
I think this really highlights the (ir)relevance of a 'ring time. The Renaultsport offerings, latest Clio apart, have always been seen as really interactive cars, drivers' cars if you will, whereas, the SEAT was received rather luke-warmly, capable but "meh".
This is surely proof of the fact that the GT86 approach of fun over outright capability is what PH type drivers (note not necessarily the public at large)really want.
This is surely proof of the fact that the GT86 approach of fun over outright capability is what PH type drivers (note not necessarily the public at large)really want.
itiejim said:
I think this really highlights the (ir)relevance of a 'ring time. The Renaultsport offerings, latest Clio apart, have always been seen as really interactive cars, drivers' cars if you will, whereas, the SEAT was received rather luke-warmly, capable but "meh".
This is surely proof of the fact that the GT86 approach of fun over outright capability is what PH type drivers (note not necessarily the public at large)really want.
In less things have changed drastically in the last years.... here is the thread from when Renault first went 'Ring time crazy and the response was incredibly positive.This is surely proof of the fact that the GT86 approach of fun over outright capability is what PH type drivers (note not necessarily the public at large)really want.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=101...
I agree with you though that 'Ring times from pro drivers are a bit useless as none of us in the real world will get too close to those times but it is astounding how capable these cars are in the right hands and how easy they'd be for Mr & mrs Average to.
What will Honda's response be!!
k don't give them away 
aka_kerrly said:
I agree with you though that 'Ring times from pro drivers are a bit useless as none of us in the real world will get too close to those times but it is astounding how capable these cars are in the right hands and how easy they'd be for Mr & mrs Average to.
Wouldn't you say the same about economy of a vehicle in that no one in the real world would ever achieve (anywhere near) those figures? It's just a number to compare.Call me cynical, but a slightly dumpy VAG hatchback weighing 1400kg with 276 bhp managed a 'ring time only 3 seconds slower than Ferrari 430 with similar weight and 206 bhp more? I seem to remember VAG being infamous for handing out press cars with wildly increased bhp over customer cars a few years back. This rings a few alarm bells in the truth department.
rob.e said:
article said:
with the optional performance pack that adds Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
I just went on the seat site, configurator and downloaded the brochure. THere's no mention of a performance pack or brembo brakes? Any more info on that?It would appear the Brembos are standard equipment on the Cupra 280. I would assume that the performance pack is just the difference between it and the Cupra 265.
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