SEAT Unveils New Leon Race Car at Croft

15 July 2006

The new Leon Cupra race car, which is currently being evaluated for inclusion in the SEAT Cupra Championship in 2007, was officially unveiled at Croft today by Jason Plato and Scott Dennis, SEAT UK's Motorsport Manager.

Jason said: "SEAT's involvement in touring cars and its one-make championship has changed the face of British motorsport. The Blaupunkt SEAT Cupra Championship is already a great series – it's hard and tough to win, which is just as it should be. The new car looks fantastic and I think with the right driver, could give a BTCC car a run for itsmoney. I think as a stepping stone to touring cars, there is nothing better."

Reigning SEAT Cupra Champion Tom Boardman has been competing in the Spanish Supercopa series, using essentially the same specification of car, in 2006. "The car is fantastic to drive – I can't get enough of it," he said. "You can clearly see the development that has gone into it. For example, the paddle-shift transmission means you don't have to take your hands off the wheel to change gear, while having just two pedals means left foot braking, which may be a new skill for some drivers. So a new car and a renewed championship."

One driver studying the car carefully was Ben Winrow, currently fourth in the 2006 Blaupunkt SEAT Cupra Championship. "If SEAT can offer in the UK what is currently available in Spain and Germany, then this series will become even stronger. I think that it will draw in drivers from a wide variety of existing formulae, especially on the BTCC support grid and I don't see why you couldn't se up to thiry cars running next year.

"For any driver aspiring to touring cars, whether British or World, it's the next logical step. SEAT is the only manufacturer with this degree of commitment to motorsport and it's a pleasure to be involved. This is definitely what I'll be working towards for next season."

The 2007 Leon Cupra marks a significant step forward in terms of development and specification. The base vehicle is the latest SEAT Leon but with additional bodywork, including wheelarch extensions, full width front splitter and adjustable rear wing. However, the most significant aerodynamic evolution is the introduction of a flat bottom and rear diffuser, creating additional aerodynamic grip which will something new for drivers in the SEAT Cupra Championship to come to terms with.

The new Leon retains the 1984cc turbocharged four cylinder engine but with its output raised to 300bhp and 250lbft of torque, producing a powerful, responsive and drivable powerplant. This is mated to a six-speed paddle shift gearbox, another significant step forward, allowing for almost instant gearshifts and moving the driving experience closer to the British and World Touring Cars, which many drivers aspire to.

Scott Dennis explained how the 2007 championship could run: "The aim is to run the 2007 specification car alongside the existing Leon, effectively creating a two-class series. We hope that the specification and more details of the series will be finalised and announced soon."

2007 SEAT Leon Cupra Technical Specification
Engine: 1984cc, in-line four cylinder, turbocharged, direct fuel injection, 300bhp@6500rpm, 225lbft @ 2100rpm
Transmission: Front-wheel drive, paddle shift, six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox, SEAT Sport limited slip differential
Brakes: Six-piston AP Racing calipers (front), 362mm diameter discs (front), 255mm diameter discs (rear)
Suspension: MacPherson strut (front), multilink (rear), two-way adjustable dampers all round
Wheels & Tyres: 8x18in wheels, control tyres
Aerodynamics: Extended, full-width front splitter, 13-position adjustable rear wing, full length flat bottom and rear diffuser

See series calendar for SEAT Cupra Championship 2006

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