Seat Leon Cupra 280 sets Nurburgring track record for front-wheel-drive car [Video]

Seat appears to be ready to announce that its 2014 Leon Cupra hatchback has set a new Nürburgring track record for front-wheel-drive production cars.

The company promises to make a “record announcement” at the Geneva Motor Show. Official teaser videos show a Leon Cupra at the ‘Ring, and a leaked YouTube video–featuring a Leon Cupra with the same camouflage pattern–points to a record-breaking FWD lap time of 7:58.44.

If true, the company has beat Renault’s 8:07.97 lap time set in 2011 with the Mgeane Renaultsport 265 Trophy driven by Laurent Hurgon. Renault held the previous record with a RS R26.R, which beat a lap time set by a Chevrolet Cobalt SS.

A sub-eight-minute lap time does not appear to be unreasonable for the 2014 Leon Cupra variant equipped with a 2.0-liter Volkswagen four-cylinder mill tuned for 280 horsepower. The hatchback promises to reach 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph.

Seat is expected to confirm its achievement at a press conference scheduled tomorrow at 10:15 CET.