The Leon Cupra 280 has smashed the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for a front-wheel drive car. With an astonishing time of 7 minutes and 58.4 seconds, it becomes the first FWD production model to dip below the eight-minute barrier.
The car used to set the amazing lap time was a production-specification Leon Cupra 280 DSG, equipped with an optional Performance Pack* that includes Brembo high-performance brakes, specially designed 19-inch alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres
Formally announcing the record at the Spanish company's Geneva Motor Show press conference, SEAT S.A. President Jürgen Stackmann said: "Our ultimate expression of the successful Leon formula is the all new Leon Cupra. It is the fastest and the most powerful car we have ever built and yet is a comfortable family car. The Cupra is our new icon."
The average speed of Leon Cupra's record-breaking run was 96 mph, with a top speed of 150 mph on the Tiergarten section of the circuit. The circuit surface was dry, with an ambient temperature of 10ºC and a track temperature of 8ºC. There is no doubt that such an outstanding record time was achieved not only because of an exceptional car, but also thanks to a driver who was equal to the situation.
Sitting behind the wheel of the Leon Cupra 280 was the Spanish driver Jordi Gené, official SEAT driver between 2003 and 2010 during the European Touring Car Championships (ETCC) and World Touring Car Championships (WTCC), among other events. He was also a member of the Leon Cupra development team at the Nürburgring.
*The SEAT Leon Cupra Performance Pack is not yet available in the UK. An announcement will be made in due course
The car used to set the amazing lap time was a production-specification Leon Cupra 280 DSG, equipped with an optional Performance Pack* that includes Brembo high-performance brakes, specially designed 19-inch alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres
Formally announcing the record at the Spanish company's Geneva Motor Show press conference, SEAT S.A. President Jürgen Stackmann said: "Our ultimate expression of the successful Leon formula is the all new Leon Cupra. It is the fastest and the most powerful car we have ever built and yet is a comfortable family car. The Cupra is our new icon."
The average speed of Leon Cupra's record-breaking run was 96 mph, with a top speed of 150 mph on the Tiergarten section of the circuit. The circuit surface was dry, with an ambient temperature of 10ºC and a track temperature of 8ºC. There is no doubt that such an outstanding record time was achieved not only because of an exceptional car, but also thanks to a driver who was equal to the situation.
Sitting behind the wheel of the Leon Cupra 280 was the Spanish driver Jordi Gené, official SEAT driver between 2003 and 2010 during the European Touring Car Championships (ETCC) and World Touring Car Championships (WTCC), among other events. He was also a member of the Leon Cupra development team at the Nürburgring.
*The SEAT Leon Cupra Performance Pack is not yet available in the UK. An announcement will be made in due course