Seat Leon shows its angular assets

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, SEAT, Diesel

The third-generation Seat Leon has made its debut in Paris, confirming for the assembled masses that its live form is just as fetching as the studio shots we've already seen.

Seat tipped its hand on the new Leon earlier this summer, so we've already reported on most of the critical details. Two TDI diesels, a 1.6-liter and a 2.0-liter, will make up the engine range at launch, while a total of five powerplants will come online by the first part of 2013.

A familiar overall body shape reflects what we've seen from the new Golf, and follows an exhaustive rework of the Leon, both inside and out. Get a firsthand look at what's been done in our live gallery of images.

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Seat Leon shows its angular assets originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Seat León brings all-new design, more tech and "Enjoyneering" [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Hatchback, SEAT, Design/Style

Not long after the Seat Toledo got its public groove on, the Seat León is here to say hello from all angles. This is the third generation of the little Spanish hatchback, and while its overall form copies its predecessor, its details prove it to be a brand-new car.

Built on the MQB platform spreading like kudzu throughout the Volkswagen empire, the new Leon is nearly 200 pounds lighter than previously and five centimeters shorter, but the front axle has been moved forward making the wheelbase around 2.3-inches longer. More interior space and luggage room is the benefit compared to the last-generation hatch.

The body has been completely redesigned with heaps more sculpting throughout and giveaways like the polygonal headlights - available in full LED - plus wedge taillights, shorter overhangs and redesigned Seat logo front and back giving away the new model.

Emphasizing the sportiness of the new model, the driver is made the focus of the floating, two-tone dash inside. Driver aids include Seat Drive Profile to tailor the car's characteristics, three different options in infotainment systems, drowsiness detection, Full Beam Assistant and lane-keeping assistant.

As per usual with a VW Group product, the engine options will be plentiful, all of them turbocharged and direct-injected and boosting fuel economy by up to 22 percent. Two will come at launch, a 1.6-liter TDI Ecomotive diesel with 104-horsepower and 184 pound-feet which promises 74.3 Imperial miles per gallon (61.9 U.S. mpg) on average, and a reworked 2.0-liter TDI with 148 hp and 236 lb-ft that gets 70.3 Imperial mpg (58.8 U.S. mpg). Early next year, five more engines will be added to the mix, ranging from an 85-hp 1.2-liter TSI to a 181-hp 2.0-liter TDI. There will be two manual and two DSG dual-clutch transmissions available, but fitment depends on the engine.

It will hit showrooms later this year as a five-door hatch, then expand into other variants afterward. Read all about it in the press release below, catch it in red and white in the high-res gallery.

Continue reading New Seat León brings all-new design, more tech and "Enjoyneering" [w/video]

New Seat León brings all-new design, more tech and "Enjoyneering" [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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