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It could be worse to be fair.

Look at the Golf MK4 - VW UK chose to put a GTI badge on the 2.0 115PS version. Everyone knows it wasn't a 'real' GTI and had rubbish performance etc (slower than a 105PS TSI/ TDI Ibiza ;) ) but that doesn't seem to have done the GTI brand any harm.

only because the mk5 was a belter and saved it

Sent from my X10i
 
So you reckon an improvement of 2 secs, 0-100kph isn't significant? I can assure you that you'll definitely feel the difference! I've driven the 1.2TSI Sportrider and (great car that it is) and it is totally outgunned by the FR TDI as far as power and acceleration goes. I was very seriously considering buying a brand new 1.2TSI Sportrider until I got a test drive of a one year old FR TDI and was so impressed by the performance that I bought the 1 year old FR instead.

Sure its better, but its not like you'll be driving circles around 1.2 tsi. IMO FR should be all sporty models except Cupra which should be high end. Something like BMW, you have lots of engines and variations but we all know M is the king. I would be pissed if BMW put 90bhp and call it M because it would be at least 2.5 times slower.

No your perception is wrong. I bought the car mostly on the basis of the strong engine performance, handling, economy, good level of standard kit and the sporty look. And is it that wrong for me wanting to advertise that I bought a car with such excellent attributes by having a FR badge on the tailgate??? Is this vain? Perhaps, but obviously a heck of a lot of people think the same way if you look at the marketing blurb highlighted by @NathWraith. People want to feel like they've made the right choice and want to show others on the road this - especially if the cars are highly-specced. Human nature for the most part, mate!

My point is that you'll also have everything that you had till now, nothing will change for you. Performance,handling, economy...its all there. Only difference is that someone else will have a car that looks like yours but its a bit slower.

Going by your logic why bother to have model designations at all? Just call the car an Ibiza and people have to just specify the specification level when ordering. Don't bother putting badges other than "Ibiza" on the car, be it a 180PS flying machine or a 60PS entry level machine. If Seat could get away with that they probably would and save money on badge production. However Seat and other car manufacturers know marketing and also human nature. If people buy a good car, part of them wants to show this to others – especially if they are car enthusiasts.

I would leave all cars above 10 sec mark on 0-100kmh unbadged. All below would be like sport version, in this case FR and the highest model would be CUPRA.

Sorry if I can't explain it better. Its a bit difficult to explain my thoughts in English which is not my native language. :)
 
Sure its better, but its not like you'll be driving circles around 1.2 tsi. IMO FR should be all sporty models except Cupra which should be high end. Something like BMW, you have lots of engines and variations but we all know M is the king. I would be pissed if BMW put 90bhp and call it M because it would be at least 2.5 times slower.



My point is that you'll also have everything that you had till now, nothing will change for you. Performance,handling, economy...its all there. Only difference is that someone else will have a car that looks like yours but its a bit slower.



I would leave all cars above 10 sec mark on 0-100kmh unbadged. All below would be like sport version, in this case FR and the highest model would be CUPRA.

Sorry if I can't explain it better. Its a bit difficult to explain my thoughts in English which is not my native language. :)

No your English is good and I understand perfectly what you are saying. :) I just don't happen to agree with you! ;)

I think this is a case where we both have very different views which is fine. Would be a very boring world if we all thought the same! :D

In any case, Seat have made their decision and only time and sales figures will tell us if they were right about widening the FR brand.
***** Sent from my Motorola Defy using Tapatalk. *****
 
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I bet they are right...

Look at Vauxhall, you can buy 'nice looking' but woefully slow Corsa's that all look like the sportier models. then the VXR is different again.

It'll be interesting to see the Ibiza range in say 6 months once it's settled
 
Something like BMW, you have lots of engines and variations but we all know M is the king. I would be pissed if BMW put 90bhp and call it M because it would be at least 2.5 times slower.

They almost do - the favorite choice of our sales guys at the moment is the 320D M sport.

They all want to look like they are driving M series.
 
My other main concern is that many young drivers will now buy an "FR" badged Ibiza because the low powered engines make them insurable.

After many accidents - the "FR" will suddenly become a high risk car in the eyes of the insurance companies ( they wont care what engine is fitted - to them it's an ibiza FR )

And those of us who bought the first FR's will have our insurance hiked !!
 
My other main concern is that many young drivers will now buy an "FR" badged Ibiza because the low powered engines make them insurable.

After many accidents - the "FR" will suddenly become a high risk car in the eyes of the insurance companies ( they wont care what engine is fitted - to them it's an ibiza FR )

And those of us who bought the first FR's will have our insurance hiked !!

I wouldn't get to concerned about that, I think the 1.6 diesel and the 1.2 tsi are still out of reach of most young drivers from an insurance perspective. I have just been quoted over £2,000 for my daughter to insure my wifes Mk4 1.2S, and that is quite a few groups lower than the newer diesel and tsi engined cars.
 
I bet they are right...

Look at Vauxhall, you can buy 'nice looking' but woefully slow Corsa's that all look like the sportier models. then the VXR is different again.

It'll be interesting to see the Ibiza range in say 6 months once it's settled

I agree with m0rk, while seat may lose a few returning customers I think the revised range will appeal to more people. Only time will tell but I should be surprised if this move doesn't generate more sales.
 
Personally, I think widening the FR range is a great idea. I would have loved to have bought a FR, but the choices were:

Have 5 doors and get a diesel engine I didn't want
Have 3 doors and get a DSG gearbox I didn't want

Don't forget that VW are looking for ways to get SEAT profitable. If it can can sell more cars to people who want the styling but can't afford the bigger engines (and increased insurance, and more fill ups at the pumps...) then they are going to keep doing it.

Definately would be interesting to see if there was a big interest in the 1.4 125PS Leon FRs ...
 
Wonder if m0rk can comment on Seat Leon sales since the FR brand was widened? Interested to know if Leon sales suffered or increased?

Too early to comment I'd say as its only been the last 6 months since they made that change, and sales are slowing down for the current shape Leon anyway as its due replacement soon.
 
Wonder if m0rk can comment on Seat Leon sales since the FR brand was widened? Interested to know if Leon sales suffered or increased?

As said, too early - IIRC the FR was "downgraded" engine wise, and upgraded spec wise in autumn. So it's not like for like comparison - but I doubt the information will be available for some time.
 
Malware warning

Hi,

Not sure if anyone else has received this, but when navigating to Page 10 of this thread I receive a warning from Google (or Chrome?) that it may contain malware.

Warning: Something's Not Right Here!
wwwseatcupranet contains content from wwwbobbyandersoncouk, a site known to distribute malware. Your computer might catch a virus if you visit this site.

Not sure how to let the Mods know, so thought I'd put it here.
 
Hi,

Not sure if anyone else has received this, but when navigating to Page 10 of this thread I receive a warning from Google (or Chrome?) that it may contain malware.



Not sure how to let the Mods know, so thought I'd put it here.

This was an image in a users sig. Nothing to worry about
 
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