THE CUPRA LEON VZ HOT HATCH IN TCR RACE TRIM HEADS TO USA FOR THE 2025 IMSA MICHELIN PILOT CHALLENGE
The pretty damn wicked-looking CUPRA Leon VZ TCR is shifting gears and revving into the U.S. motorsport spotlight, becoming eligible to race stateside just as the brand readies itself to conquer the American market by the end of the decade. When the SEAT brand was here in SA, the public liked the Leons and Ibizas a little too much and they seemed to cut into parent company VW’s sales so things didn’t last long, we only had one generation of them, and they’re still quite sought after. The evolution of the Cupra into a standalone brand under the CUPRA name is pretty impressive, and sad that they won’t ever come to SA. After tearing through Europe and South America with victories in 2024, this high-performance beast is ready to chase podiums in the U.S., with its debut set for the 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. Having proven its mettle in top-tier racing across the globe, the CUPRA Leon VZ TCR now locks eyes on the U.S. racing scene. Competing in the TCR class of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) marks a major move in CUPRA's global expansion strategy, placing the brand on some of the most iconic circuits in the United States. Racing Across the Pond – IMSA Bound for 2025 With its U.S. racing debut locked in for 2025, the CUPRA Leon VZ TCR is set to rumble in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, one of the most prestigious and fiercely competitive championships in American motorsport. The victories CUPRA snagged earlier this year paved the way for its entry into IMSA’s TCR class, making this a thrilling step forward for the Spanish brand. “Racing is in CUPRA’s DNA. We thrive on challenges that push us to be better, and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is a perfect fit for our debut in the U.S.,” says Xavi Serra, Head of CUPRA Racing. “The CUPRA Leon VZ TCR has already proven its performance on international circuits, and now it’s ready to face a whole new kind of competition.” IMSA President John Doonan also chimed in, welcoming CUPRA into the fold. “We’re thrilled to have CUPRA join our IMSA family. This partnership is unique as CUPRA uses IMSA to introduce itself ahead of its U.S. market expansion. It’s a powerful testament to the value of IMSA and a blueprint other manufacturers might follow.”
Designed for Victory – The CUPRA Leon VZ TCR Launched in May 2024, the CUPRA Leon VZ TCR was built with one thing in mind: winning. With sleek, aggressive bodywork that screams performance and upgrades like the SADEV gearbox kit and high-end suspension tweaks, this racer is dialled in for success. It racked up victories at iconic tracks like Spa-Francorchamps, Estoril, Brno, and Imola. Franco Girolami took the TCR Europe championship wheel in one of these beasts, while Aurélien Comte snagged second place. Across the pond, it dominated endurance races in Brazil and Mexico, further cementing its status as a race-bred machine. Now, the CUPRA Leon VZ TCR is ready to tackle the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, where it will go head-to-head with TCR-class cars from top manufacturers, powered by turbocharged engines delivering up to 350 horsepower. IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge: The Stage is Set The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is all about production-based race cars built to exacting international standards. The CUPRA Leon VZ TCR will compete in the TCR class, facing off against four-and-five-door production models from across the globe. The season kicks off on January 17th, 2025, at the legendary Daytona International Speedway. Teams will have the option to harness the Leon VZ TCR’s performance for a gruelling 11-race calendar, where speed, precision, and durability will determine who owns the podium. We’re subscribed on the YouTube so we won’t be missing this car in action.
Take a look at the YouTube video from the folks at Driving Enthusiast that shows off how these awesome CUPRA hot hatches start off life before the factory motorsport division gets their hands on one to turn it into the competition-ready TCR spec: 2024 Cupra Leon VZ detailed review: 0-100 & POV test drive | Driving Enthusiast
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