SEAT continues its rich tradition in motorsport with the SEAT Leon Eurocup cup races. From the 2014 season, SEAT will once again organize fascinating private team races, which will take place over six race weekends in six European countries, with the promise of attractive prize money. The SEAT Leon Cup Racer , a first-class racing machine with an output of 243 kW/330 hp and extensive use of professional technology, will be at the start.
" Motorsport is deeply rooted in our brand. SEAT looks back on more than 40 years of history in this area. With the SEAT Leon Eurocup cup races, we offer an interesting opportunity for our motivated private teams and enthusiastic fans throughout Europe ," says Dr. Matthias Rabe , Vice President of SEAT SA , responsible for research and development. "The Leon Cup Racer is an extremely powerful racing car. The new generation of the SEAT Leon model provided an excellent basis for its development and has already been duly appreciated by customers and motoring journalists. "
The SEAT Leon has been among the most successful racing touring cars in recent years. He won the WTCC title for SEAT Sport in 2008 and 2009, and the SEAT Leon Supercopa and Eurocup series were among the most popular cup races in motorsport. The Supercopa championship was held between 2003 and 2013 in a total of eight countries, the Eurocup from 2008 to 2010 in a total of 9 countries.
The Spanish brand continues this great tradition with the SEAT Leon Eurocup series. A total of six race weekends will take place in six European countries. The exact race calendar will be compiled over the next few weeks. Every weekend will be raced from Friday to Sunday, with two free practice sessions , qualifications and two races on the program. Winners can also look forward to attractive cash prizes .
" We are delighted to be able to offer our private teams a great racing series in the 2014 season with the SEAT Leon Eurocup, " says Jaime Puig, Head of SEAT Sport and responsible for all activities of the SEAT brand in motorsport. "The SEAT Leon Cup Racer is an excellent car that will excite our fans with fascinating battles on the race track. The design of the SEAT Leon Cup Racer reflects all the know-how of the SEAT Sport department. We want to build on the great sporting achievements of previous years. "
The new SEAT Leon Cup Racer impresses at first sight with its remarkable proportions – the muscularly shaped body rests on 18" wheels , and its aggressive character derives in part from the wheel track, which is almost 40 centimeters wider than that of the mass-produced model. The new nose was designed with optimal aerodynamic efficiency and maximum air supply to the engine and brakes in mind. The cooling of the brake system with four-piston calipers is improved by significantly widened wheel arches, on the back of which there are ventilation holes. Also, the dramatically widened side skirts work with the front spoiler, smooth underbody, rear diffuser and two-stage roof spoiler to create maximum downforce for fast cornering.
The SEAT Leon Cup Racer nevertheless fully retains the design DNA of the Leon model – the distinctive LED headlights with individually shaped daytime running lights have been taken over from the production version, as well as the LED rear lights . The contour of the roof, as well as the characteristic lines and precise moldings on the side surfaces, also correspond to the series-produced model.
The interior is defined by a systematic effort to reduce weight . The rider is optimally protected by a very durable spatial frame in cooperation with an anatomically shaped seat, equipped with the HANS system for head and neck protection. The basic appearance of the production instrument panel has been retained, although the driver information and race car controls are concentrated on the multifunction steering wheel and a high-resolution TFT display , which is located behind the steering wheel. This arrangement allows the driver to have his racing machine under maximum control at all times.
The Leon Cup Racer has the powerful driving force of a two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine . Its highest output is 243 kW/330 hp , while the maximum torque is 400 Nm . The transmission of driving power to the front wheels is provided by a six-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission controlled by paddles on the steering wheel and an electronically controlled self- locking differential .
The preliminary purchase price of the Leon Cup Racer racing car was already set at EUR 70,000 without VAT , i.e. approximately CZK 1,917,000. The first official Cup Racer orders have been accepted since the end of November.
Source: SEAT
