Seat Leon Cupra claims new Nurburgring lap record

[abreut]

Apologies if this has already been talked about somewhere else, but I haven't seen any mention of it on here yet and I can't understand why. While there is nothing official about Nurburgring rankings, this is still pretty big news. Especially when you consider some of the scalps that have been claimed with this time.

Seat Leon Cupra sets Nurburgring record - BBC Top Gear

SEAT Leon Cupra revealed as fastest ever FWD car at Geneva | Auto Express

[gldgti]

Go SEAT.

I just watched the whole lap and it made me very happy.

SEAT's are just awesome fun to drive.

[AdamD]

Very impressive. Over 30 seconds faster than a Mk7 GTI! Not to mention it's faster than an R8 V8, Audi RS4, Porsche Cayman S, etc etc.

[Water Boy]

Wahooooo go the Seat!

[Diesel_vert]

Bear in mind, that particular model was fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, which are road legal but essentially optimised for the circuit - and rather expensive too, like most motorsport tyres.

It was an interesting exercise, and there's no doubt the car has some fundamental speed, but I think it would've been more useful (certainly in a comparative sense) if it were fitted with ordinary high-performance road tyres that most people would use.

[gldgti]

Bear in mind, that particular model was fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, which are road legal but essentially optimised for the circuit - and rather expensive too, like most motorsport tyres.

It was an interesting exercise, and there's no doubt the car has some fundamental speed, but I think it would've been more useful (certainly in a comparative sense) if it were fitted with ordinary high-performance road tyres that most people would use.

Yes, I agree, but still - Go SEAT!

The treadwear rating is only 180

[sports racer]

It was an interesting exercise, and there's no doubt the car has some fundamental speed, but I think it would've been more useful (certainly in a comparative sense) if it were fitted with ordinary high-performance road tyres that most people would use.

Seems like SEAT cheated unlike other manufacturers who brag about the lap times of their cars at the Ring. I'm sure no other manufacturer would use the best tyres available, or use a Touring Car champion to drive the car, or do a lap early in the morning when the temperature is optimum for a turbo car, or have a clear track with no other traffic. When Honda come out to try to beat this time I bet they play fair.

It would be much more useful to have your average Joe drive, fit the car with ordinary tyres (even though the Michelins are optional) and do the run when all the Volvo driving school mums are on the track. I'm sure that would attract more buyers.

[Diesel_vert]

Seems like SEAT cheated unlike other manufacturers who brag about the lap times of their cars at the Ring. I'm sure no other manufacturer would use the best tyres available, or use a Touring Car champion to drive the car, or do a lap early in the morning when the temperature is optimum for a turbo car, or have a clear track with no other traffic. When Honda come out to try to beat this time I bet they play fair.

Even if Seat had fitted slick tyres to the Leon Cupra, it would still be a valid lap time.

It just makes it difficult to compare with other cars that weren't fitted with similar tyres.

It would be much more useful to have your average Joe drive

The primary reason for using a racing driver is to show what the machine is capable of - I don't see any real problem with that.

A highly experienced, skilled and talented racing driver should be supremely consistent in their inputs, which allows him or herself to be removed as a variable (important for vehicle suspension development too).

fit the car with ordinary tyres (even though the Michelins are optional)

When I say "ordinary", I mean in a relative sense - as in road tyres (i.e. tyres predominately designed to be used on public roads).

I am referring to tyres such as the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A (RenaultSport Megane), Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 (Porsche 911), Michelin Pilot Super Sport (BMW M cars), Pirelli P Zero (Audi R8 ) and so on.

All are high-performance tyres, but still ordinary (i.e. road) tyres.

I'm sure that would attract more buyers.

I'm not dissing what the Leon Cupra has done - a sub 8 minute lap time is fast by most people's standards, irrespective of how it was achieved.

However, there's a difference between showing what the car can do at its limits (by employing a racing driver), and simply increasing those limits outright (by fitting motorsport tyres).

Again, there's nothing wrong with that, nor do I have anything against that - all it does is make comparisons difficult with cars that don't have similar modifications.

That motorsport tyres are offered from the factory (or supplied privately or independently) does not change the principle.

[nat225]

An average Joe who has never seen a race track let alone how to drive with appropriate track techniques would probably be a waste of time for Seat or any other car manufacturers who want to test their cars.

I have seen lots of average Joes driving fast well above the speed limits with one hand on the top of the steering wheel and another hand somewhere else (holding a smoke / mobile phone) and tailgate so close behind other cars... they must have skills and car brakes / tyres that can stop like those trained race drivers.


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[nat225]

Seems like SEAT cheated unlike other manufacturers who brag about the lap times of their cars at the Ring. I'm sure no other manufacturer would use the best tyres available, or use a Touring Car champion to drive the car, or do a lap early in the morning when the temperature is optimum for a turbo car, or have a clear track with no other traffic. When Honda come out to try to beat this time I bet they play fair.
......

Which means the Honda's marketting director specific for the new Type R could be just a grad who completed uni a year before..

If they dont optimise every chances within the boundaries of factory produced car and legit options.



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