A communications giant once told the world that the future was orange.
That could certainly be the case with SEAT’s fastest ever production car, the Leon SC Cupra 280.
Fitted with the brand’s ‘Ultimate Sub8 Performance Pack’ the hot hatch became the first front-wheel-drive production car to dip under the magic eight-minute lap time at the famous Nurburgring race circuit in Germany.
Now the Spanish car maker is making the pack available for £4,200 – and its stand-out feature is a set of bright orange multi-spoke alloy wheels.
The pack mirrors the Nurburgring record-breaker exactly but won’t be an impractical trackday toy, though built to order ensuring exclusivity.
To reduce the car’s weight, climate control is swopped for a simpler heating system and four of the Cupra’s usual eight speakers have been ditched in the dieting process.
The weight loss programme has also seen the Leon slimmed down through the loss of the centre console armrest and rear air vents, while the storage boxes under the front seat have been binned.
The rest of the pack is as per the standard Sub8 Performance Pack, which means lightweight multi-spoke 19-inch alloys in black or orange plus 30mm larger brakes with Brembo callipers and body-coloured side skirts.
Semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres can also be included for £460.
Otherwise, there’s a choice of six-speed manual or twin-clutch DSG transmission, but no options.
That said, standard kit includes the likes of dynamic chassis control, Cupra Drive Profile – for adjusting the suspension, throttle sensitivity, gearbox and engine note – cruise control, rear parking sensors, touchscreen sat-nav and tyre pressure monitor.
Opting for the performance pack brings the price of a Leon SC Cupra 280 to £31,410, though that’s still £5,020 less than its closest direct rival the two-seater Mégane Renaultsport 275 Trophy-R.
