With its Seat Leon Cupra Widebody RACE, the Seat-specialized tuning company JE DESIGN currently has the fastest front-wheel drive vehicle at the Sachsenring and has scored a new lap record with this car. With a best time of 1:35.75 minutes, the widebody Leon pulverized not only the previous lap record, but also beat out its series brother, the Seat Leon Cupra with Performance Pack, by more than four seconds in a comparative test by the magazine AUTO BILD SPORTS CARS.

JE DESIGN even deliberately avoided modifications to the driveline and focused instead on measures to optimize aerodynamics, weight, suspension, brakes and wheel-tire combination. For example, the Leingarten tuning company put a prototype of their dynamic rear wing on the Sachsenring for the first time. From a speed of 100 km/h, it automatically adjusts to a position of 15 degrees. When braking at above 120 km/h, the wing goes into a 30 degree position in order to optimize the stopping distance and to stabilize the rear. “The handling effect due to this modifications is enormous and let us gain important deciseconds”, says Jochen Eckelt, CEO and technical director of JE DESIGN. “Those innovations also can be found in the serial products of JE DESIGN.”

“Due to the wheel arch extensions we incorporated, we also have room for wider wheels and tires,” says Jochen Eckelt, founder and owner of JE DESIGN. “Thus, through the wider track width, the Cupra has optimal support in the curves.” Working closely with technology partners is another criterion for the resounding success at the Sachsenring, continues Eckelt. “In addition, the basis the Seat provides us with in the new Leon Cupra is, of course, excellent. Specifically, the mechanical lock on the front axle and the sporty DSG work perfectly.” So it was not even necessary to modify the transmission and engine.

Leon Cupra suspension from KW

In addition to the distinctive body kit and dynamic rear spoiler, the widebody Cupra features a 3-way Clubsport suspension from KW, a Stoptech brake system on the front axle and ATS GTR 18 inch rims. The latter are embraced by Dunlop Direzza tires in the dimension 265/35 R18. An exhaust system with flap control system is also offered by JE DESIGN for the Leon Cupra. In addition, the reduction in weight played a major role in the optimization of the fast Spaniard. “We removed the rear seats, installed a Braille lightweight battery and thereby reduced the total weight to 1,315 kilograms,” says Jochen Eckelt. And he adds: “Of course, all components are approved by TÜV and are 100 percent roadworthy.”

2015 Je Design Seat Leon Cupra Race

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2015 Je Design Seat Leon Cupra Race

Source: Je Design