seat Leon Cupra or a pack of Huskey's. which is the best on the frozen lakes of Finland ?

A sled pulled by six Alaskan and Siberian huskies measures up against the Leon CUPRA, driven by racer Jordi Gené, on a frozen lake in Lapland; a fun challenge aimed at bringing out the best in each of them: the endurance of these ancestral breeds, which can run around 130 km in a day, and the 300 horsepower of the brand’s most powerful car.

Power and endurance: While the Leon CUPRA is characterised by its performance, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, huskies are known for their endurance, although they are considered among the 20 fastest dog breeds. They make five-day journeys, reach a maximum speed of 40 km/h and each pull their own weight of around 30 kilos.

1 metre thick ice beneath the wheels: Nearly a metre of ice blankets Lake Pikku-Nissi, one of the 188,000 there are in Finland, and enables cars and dogsleds to cross it without any problems, from the end of the year until well into April.

Leader mentality: Mamba and Mustys are the two lead dogs that guide the team while sledding. Their trainer, Susi Normand, claims that they become leaders of the pack instinctively: “They have to be mentally strong and brave”. “Just like race drivers," smiles Jordi.

On any surface: The grip of their paws enables them to run over ice or snow at the same speed. Gené also takes full advantage of the Leon CUPRA’s 4Drive and snow tyres with special studs for extreme driving on ice.

25 ºC below zero: For the huskies, the -5 ºC displayed on the thermometer is typical of a balmy day; the ideal temperature for them is between -10 and -25 degrees. The same way their fur enables them to withstand the cold, cars can also endure very low temperatures. In fact, they are tested at temperatures ranging from -40 ºC to 110 ºC to guarantee their quality remains the same no matter what the weather conditions are like.

Brakes to match their power: Just as the CUPRA features four-pot Brembo brake callipers, the sled is equipped with a clawed metal bar. Both require a brake to match their performance. In fact, the dogs pull so hard that the musher has to step on the brake with both feet to prevent an excited team from taking off before the order is given. While on the move, it stabilises the seat and prevents the sled from swinging when taking curves. “We both take bends in a similar way: we brake before the curve to position the vehicle and ride it out correctly,” says Jordi.

Purebred champions: Huskies participate in several dogsled competitions all over the world, such as the European Championship or the End of the World Race in Argentina. On the other hand, the CUPRA have also achieved impressive successes in their lifetime, especially two record times on the Nürburgring, where both the Leon ST and the 5-door Leon set a lap time of under 8 minutes.

Storming SEAT Leon ST Cupra 280 to attend the GTI Worthersee event later this week.

• SEAT Leon ST CUPRA 280: only 7:58.12 minutes through the Green Hell
• Makes its world debut at GTI Wörthersee Treffen from 13 to 16 May 2015
• Pure emotion and dynamics – impressive Leon range at Reifnitz

With a record-breaking time of 7:58.12 minutes, the SEAT Leon ST CUPRA 280 is the fastest estate car around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Making its world debut at this year's Wörthersee Treffen in Austria, the latest addition to the CUPRA stable is set to make the hearts of the expected 200,000 car fans and tuners from a host of different countries beat that little bit faster. 

Showcasing a total of five impressive variants from the Leon range, SEAT will travel from Martorell in Spain to Reifnitz, some 1,515 kilometres away.

An approachable star – the SEAT Leon ST Cupra

On 13^th May, there will be 280 PS rolling through the small town, where the SEAT Leon ST CUPRA 280 will celebrate its debut at the legendary meeting. Speaking about the record which he set, using the standard front-wheel-drive production estate with manual transmission and Performance Pack, Spanish racing driver and SEAT brand ambassador Jordi Gené, said, “

It was an indescribable feeling to get the best out of this car and to be the first to achieve this record,” said Jordi Gené. The sports tourer benefits significantly from the Limited Front Slip Differential (VAQ) of the SEAT Leon CUPRA 280 and the six-speed manual gearbox – systems that enable it to ensure a secure grip on the road, even under difficult conditions. 

“The Leon ST CUPRA reinforces that an estate car doesn’t have to be a compromise. This record time is not only another symbol of our claim ‘Technology to Enjoy’, but also sets new standards. The SEAT Leon ST CUPRA is a sports car for the whole family,” said Dr. Matthias Rabe, SEAT Vice President for Research and Development.

At this year’s cult event, the the Leon ST CUPRA 280  will also be showcased with the “Black” Performance Pack. Painted in Dynamic Grey, it is sure to cut a sleek figure with its 19-inch alloy wheels, BREMBO high-performance braking system and body-colour side skirts. 

Through its sublime blend of power and comfort, the SEAT Leon ST CUPRA 280 achieves a perfect balance which appeals to both the heart and the head. Not only is there space for the whole family, the powerful 280 PS engine also delivers thrilling performance.

Traditionally, SEAT shows something extreme at the Wörthersee Treffen and this year is no exception. Austrian racing driver Mario Dablander, who is a touring car racing driver in the 2015 SEAT Leon Eurocup, will bring his SEAT Leon CUP RACER to the event after the race in Portugal.

The extraordinary in the ordinary – SEAT Leon SC Cupra and SEAT Leon Cupra

This year, SEAT is presenting two particularly attention-grabbing models in Dynamic Grey and Blanco Nevada paintwork. The SEAT Leon SC CUPRA 280 provides visual impact with an “Orange” Performance Pack. 

The three-door sets sporty accents with the orange front grille, colour-coordinated mirrors and orange rims against the flat grey paintwork. In addition, the high-performance brake system, along with the 19-inch high-performance tyres and side skirts likewise deliver a strong presence. The Leon five-door CUPRA 280 is no less impressive. 

The Blanco Nevada colour concept, in combination with the Black Line package, gives the model a mean look. Particularly eye-catching are the entry sills at the front, rear side spoilers and the 19-inch alloy wheels painted in high-gloss black. Beyond their sporty design and 280 PS performance, both model variants are also optionally equipped with the well-known highly innovative assistance systems.