Yahoo Autos Cupra Is Going IMSA Racing Ahead of American Market Launch
Cupra — the Volkswagen Group's performance-oriented spinoff of the Spanish brand SEAT — will be entering the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2025 as the automaker looks to get a foothold in the U.S. ahead of the brand’s production cars entering the American market.
If Cupra’s plans play out how it would like them to, the Spanish vehicle manufacturer would like to begin selling cars in the U.S. before the end of the decade. Ultimately, Cupra plans to launch in the U.S. as an EV brand — likely with a small lineup of vehicles that share underpinnings with some of its VW Group siblings, such as the VW ID.4 and Porsche Macan EV.
As for the racing entry, Cupra is joining IMSA with the Leon VZ TCR, becoming the 19th manufacturer participating in the series in the process. The car being entered began racing in other markets in May, and has participated in 42 races since then. It’s found success right away, coming in first and second in the TCR Europe series and finishing first in two endurance races.
“We are always looking for new challenges that dare us to be better, and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is certainly one of them,” Xavi Serra, head of Cupra Racing, said in a statement. “We are very excited to participate in our first competition in the USA ahead of our market launch by the end of the decade. The Cupra Leon VZ TCR has already proven its performance in other international championships, and now it’s ready to compete in a new challenge.”
The Cupra will face TCR competitors from Alfa Romeo, Audi, Honda and Hyundai when it begins racing in the Michelin Pilot Challenge next year.
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