Seat reveals all-new Leon 16 | 07 | 2012
SEAT HAS LIFTED the wraps from its third-generation Leon range. Three body styles — five-door, sporty three-door and practical estate — will be offered when the car enters UK showrooms next year (see more official photos of the all-new Seat Leon).
While the five-door, pictured here, will be unveiled at September's Paris Motor Show in September, the three-door and estate bodystyles will follow in 2013. All three will be seen at next year's Frankfurt Motor Show in September '13.
The second car to be shown on the VW Group’s flexible new MQB platform, after the Audi A3, the new Leon is also the first production car to feature Seat’s latest design language.
Previewed on the IBE, IBX and IBL concept cars of the past three years, the “technical, sharp look” was initially the work of Luc Donckerwolke before being further honed by Seat’s current design chief, Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos.
At 4263mm long, 1816mm wide and 1459mm high, the new five-door Leon is 52mm shorter, 48mm wider and 4mm higher than the outgoing model. The newcomer also has a longer 58mm wheelbase, at 2636mm.
It's also understood that, thanks to the new MQB underpinnings, the new Leon is around 85kg lighter than the Leon MkII, which weighed 1250kg.
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The new range will also include a comprehensive range of new engines, with five petrol options and four diesels on offer.
While the diesels will include a 1.6TDI with either 89bhp or 104bhp, and a 2.0TDI in 148bhp or 181bhp guise, the petrols are even more comprehensive.
In addition to a 1.2TSI with either 85bhp or 104bhp, there will also be a 178bhp 1.8TSI with 178bhp. These will be joined later by a 1.4TSI with either 120bhp or 138bhp. The 138bhp version will have Active Cylinder Technology, which closes down two cylinders during light throttle loads.
Expect more cabin space and an increased premium quality to the interior. Higher-spec models will also benefit from a wide range of Alcantara and leather trim.
In keeping with the competition, the new Leon will also have a range of enhanced multimedia systems and connectivity.
Seat has yet to address the pricing policy for the UK, though it's fair to expect the range will follow closely to that of the current models which are price from £14,890 to £26,010.
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Jim McGill