Seat reveals new crossover 26 | 08 | 2014
THE NEW SEAT Leon ST-based X-Perience crossover will go on sale across Scotland next month. Prices will start at £24,385.
A precursor to the Spanish car maker’s first dedicated SUV, which is set to join its line-up in 2016, the high-riding four-wheel-drive estate, the X-Perience will be produced at Seat's Martorell factory in Spain.
Building on the good looks of the Leon ST, the crossover gets new front and rear bumpers with protective plastic skids plates. Combined with additional black plastic cladding within the wheelarches, plus along the sills, the styling delivers a 'go-anywhere' hardened appearance.
Seat has also raised the car's ride height by 15mm, boosting the crossover's ground clearance for improved off-road capability.
Using the latest Haldex multi-plate clutch four-wheel drive system, power is delivered to all four wheels in conjunction with two different electronic differential lock systems. Just for good measure, there's also an electronic stability control function specially calibrated for off-road driving.
There are two trim levels for the Leon X-Perience — SE and SE Technology — and customers get the choice from two variants of the VW Group 2.0TDI engine.
The range starts with the entry-level 148bhp, six-speed manual SE 2.0 TDI 150 equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.
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In SE trim it gets 17in twin-spoke alloys, black roof rails, dark tinted rear windows, rear parking sensors and twin exhaust tailpipes. Inside the cabin of the X-perience, there's dual zone climate control, a leather steering wheel with orange stitching and X-Perience logo, and cloth upholstered front sports seats with leather bolsters. Hill hold control and a chrome loading sill on the boot are also standard.
The same powered SE Technology version comes in at £26,370, while the 2.0 TDI 184 — which brings an extra 33bhp, up to 181bhp — fitted with DSG transmission tops out at £28,870.
Naturally, there's more spec with the SE Technology. In addition to Seat's enhanced media system with a 5.8in colour touchscreen, DAB and satellite navigation, there's also auto headlights, wipers and dimming rear view mirror.
The interior's also more plush, with bespoke Alcantara upholstery and simil leather bolsters. The exterior receives LED headlights and taillights, electrically folding door mirrors and 18in machined alloys.
And if you want to add yet more luxury to your X-perience, there's a £1250 optional Lux pack available. This brings black leather upholstery with simil leather bolsters, heated front seats, headlight washers and heated washer nozzles, an electrically adjustable driver's seat and chrome roof rails.
And there's yet more individual options available, including a panoramic sunroof, a towbar pre-install, an uprated Seat Sound audio system, and an 18in space saver spare wheel are offered across the range.
The new Seat Leon X-Perience crossover can be ordered from Septembe 1, ahead of first deliveries which are expected in December.
Related: Roadtest — Seat Leon SC
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Jim McGill