SEAT turns up the heat on its hottest hot hatch

By RELAXNEWS | 10 February 2015


BARCELONA: Volkswagen-owned SEAT is offering an "Ultimate" version of its already rather potent Leon SC Cupra 280 that adds bigger brakes and better tyres and takes away some of the standard car's weight for good measure.

The result is a small, front-wheel-drive family car that is capable of lapping the N#252;rburgring Nordschleife in a remarkable sub-eight-minute time.

A year ago, SEAT became obsessed with breaking the record for the fastest ever lap of the iconic German circuit by a front-wheel drive car and, with a specially adapted Leon SC Cupra, did just that, completing the 20.8km track in 7 minutes and 58.4 seconds - almost 10 seconds quicker than the previous record, set by a similarly hot Renault Megane back in 2011.

With the new Leon SC Cupra 280 with Ultimate Sub8 Performance Pack, anyone with 42,000 euros (RM169,000) can now own their very own version of that record-breaking car.

However, the increased speed and agility comes with one or two sacrifices. The climate control unit has been removed and a simple heater installed instead and even four of the usual eight speakers have been ditched to reduce weight.

Still, those feeling a bit warm on a summer's day or struggling to hear every nuance of a song on the stereo can console themselves with the fact that the car they're driving is essentially built to order. No two will be exactly alike.

The SEAT Leon SC Cupra 280 with Ultimate Sub8 Performance Pack comes with Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres, specially developed alloy wheels and side skirts as standard and can also be specified with an automatic transmission, satellite navigation and semi-slick tires at extra cost.

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