Autoblog

Seat expands Leon hot hatch family with new FR+

Noah Joseph — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, SEAT

Buyers looking for a hot hatch could do worse than a Volkswagen GTI. But European buyers also have the option of going with its Spanish version, the Seat Leon, which offers a touch of Latin flavor along with a little bit more power than its German sibling often at a more attractive price. Now, the Iberian auto marque is expanding the range of its Leon FR with a choice of new engines.

Where the Leon FR was previously available with either a 208-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI or a 168 hp turbo-diesel, these have now moved up a notch to the new FR+. Underneath them, Seat is offering the more accessible 123 hp 1.4-liter TSI and 138 hp 2.0-liter TDI, giving buyers the sportier treatment but with smaller engines.

Overseas buyers can also opt for either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG, but those looking for the more hardcore hot-hatch experience can still go for the Leon Cupra R, which also gets a subtle refresh to keep it current. Check out the whole family in the press release after the jump and the images in the high-res gallery for more.

Continue reading Seat expands Leon hot hatch family with new FR+

Seat expands Leon hot hatch family with new FR+ originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEAT dominates with second consecutive World Touring Car Championship

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, China, SEAT, Diesel

SEAT World Touring Car Championship Team with the Leon TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you would have told us ten or twenty years ago that diesel would come to dominate motor racing, we probably would have laughed in your face. But since Audi charted new territory by dominating Le Mans with its R10 TDI, the competition benefits of burning oil is beyond reproach. Not satisfied to let diesel power dominate endurance sportscar racing, however, sister company SEAT picked up the mantle last year in the World Touring Car Championship with the Leon TDI.

As it turns out, running on diesel came to be a liability for SEAT as the WTCC reformatted the rules to reduce diesel's advantage. But the Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo (Spanish Touring Car Company) pulled together, rallied its team and went on to dominate the World Touring Car Championship for the second year in the row, clinching all three of the series titles this past weekend in Macau - China's closest approximation of Monaco and the final round in the championship.

SEAT won the manufacturers' title, outpacing rivals BMW by three small points and outshining Chevrolet (with their new Cruze-based touring car) and Lada. SEAT's main shoe, Gabriele Tarquini, clinched the drivers' title ahead of his teammate (and defending champion) Yvan Muller. As if that wasn't enough, privateer Tom Coronel drove his gasoline-powered Leon to secure the Independents Trophy as well, making it a resounding triple victory for SEAT and its WTCC crew. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: SEAT Leon TDI at WTCC Macau

[Source: SEAT]

Continue reading SEAT dominates with second consecutive World Touring Car Championship

SEAT dominates with second consecutive World Touring Car Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Seat reportedly planning new halo coupe to go with all those hatchbacks and minivans

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Minivan/Van, Crossover, Hatchback, SEAT

Seat Leon Cupra R - Click above for ginormous high-res image gallery

Considering that Seat is supposed to be Volkswagen's sporty cousin, the Spanish motor division's range is conspicuously bereft of two-door models. Oh, they've got plenty of hatchbacks and MPVs, but the company only has two models with less than five doors. One's a rebadged previous-gen Audi A4, and the other's a Volkswagen Polo with a black mouth.

Building on the strength of their hot-hatch reputation, Seat unveiled the new Leon Cupra R in Frankfurt, packing the VW Scirocco R's 265-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo four to make it the most powerful road-going Seat ever made, and even matching the world-beating, competition-spec Leon touring car for output. Not too shabby, but still five doors, even if it looks more like two or three. But the latest reports from across the pond indicate that the company is planning a new coupe based on the Leon to serve as something of a halo car for the brand in the same way the Scirocco (also based on the same platform) does for its sister brand.

Of course Seat isn't about to abandon its core market, and is planning a new Alhambra to challenge the Ford Galaxy in the European MPV market. A crossover/hatch based on the Tribu concept to rival the Nissan Qashqai is also in the works, as is a Seat version of the Volkswagen Up! But despite Spain's famously sunny weather, the company isn't planning any convertibles, citing the conspicuously poor market performance drop-tops carry in its domestic market.

In the meantime, Seat's released a huge batch of images of the new Cupra R, which we've posted for your Euro-hot-hatch-loving enjoyment in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 Seat Leon Cupra R

[Source: Autocar]

Seat reportedly planning new halo coupe to go with all those hatchbacks and minivans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Frankfurt 2009: SEAT Leon Cupra R makes a fine Green Goblin

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Budget, Hatchback, SEAT

2010 Seat Leon Cupra R - Click above for high-res image gallery

What you have here is one of the coolest little 4-door hot hatches that looks like a 2-door hatch. The 2010 SEAT Leon Cupra R gets 265 hp from its VW-battle-tested 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, making it the most powerful SEAT... ever. The front wheels can pull the car to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, and if you're not beating it up you'll get something like 29 mpg (35 mpg imperial).

Outside, along with R badges everywhere, the sizzling Cupra gets 19-inch wheels with low-profile tires, bigger brakes, and special trim for the instrument dials and alcantara-lined interior. Read up on the details in the press release after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Seat Leon Cupra R

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: SEAT Leon Cupra R makes a fine Green Goblin

Frankfurt 2009: SEAT Leon Cupra R makes a fine Green Goblin originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Seat to launch 265hp Leon Cupra R in Frankfurt?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, SEAT

2009 Seat Leon Cupra - Click above for high-res image gallery

Buyers overseas aren't left wanting for sport models from Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary, including the sporty FR line and the powerful Cupra range. But if the latest reports from our Iberian counterparts prove accurate, Seat could be preparing to launch an even more powerful version of its Golf-based Leon at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

Packing the same 265hp engine from the Volkswagen Scirocco R, the rumored Seat Leon Cupra R would also feature a dual-clutch gearbox, AP Racing brakes, a specially-tuned suspension and competition-style bucket seats inside, and the possible inclusion of Seat's trick new XDS electronic differential. With the current range-topping, 240hp Leon Cupra sprinting to sixty in just 6.4 seconds and undercutting the Golf GTI by a good few hundred on the sticker, the 265hp Cupra R could prove to be a real barn-stormer.

Gallery: 2009 Seat Leon Cupra

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Seat to launch 265hp Leon Cupra R in Frankfurt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEAT unveils new Twin Drive Leon prototype hybrid

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Hybrid, Green, Hatchback, SEAT

The SEAT Leon Ecomotive was a Leon that had been picked over and removed of many inefficiencies in order to deliver a frugal 3.7 liters/100 kilometers (63 miles-per-gallon) as well as lower CO2 emissions. The SEAT Twin Drive Leon Prototype takes that idea a giant leap further by making the car a plug-in hybrid, adding a 35kW electric engine to the car that handles all of the motivation on the urban cycle.

Almost all of the car's running gear was massaged in the drive to become a hybrid. A lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric motor, and it is said to propel the car to a range of 50 km and a maximum speed of 100 km (62 miles-per-hour). For the moment, the 1.9-liter TDI engine remains to handle extra-urban duties. However, SEAT is looking at completely phasing out the internal combustion engine on future Ecomotive models.

Spain's Minister of Industry wants one million hybrids on Spanish roads by 2014, which is when the Twin Drive could make its appearance in showrooms. You can read all about it in the press release after the jump, and see it in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: SEAT Leon Twin Drive Prototype

[Source: SEAT]

Continue reading SEAT unveils new Twin Drive Leon prototype hybrid

SEAT unveils new Twin Drive Leon prototype hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEAT reveals limited edition Leon Supercopa

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Hatchback, SEAT

Click image to enlarge

The SEAT Leon Supercopa series that visits tracks in seven European countries is, according to SEAT, "the most powerful single-brand competition in Europe." In celebration of the series, Seat is making a special edition SEAT Leon Copa Edition that arguably looks even hotter than the race car.

The 2007 race car had a turbocharged inline 4 with 301 horsepower. The special edition version for the street gets the 2.0-liter TFSI, putting out 285 hp and 265 lb-ft. That means you get sixteen fewer chevaux than the race car, but fourteen more pounds of churn. With Eibach springs, bigger brakes, a SEAT Sport bodykit and 18" wheels, the package is good for a 5.9-second run to 62-MPH. If you want one, you'll need to scrounge up €38,500, and you'll need to hurry: SEAT is only making 55 of them. Oh, and you'll need to live in Europe, too.

[Source: Zer Customs]

SEAT reveals limited edition Leon Supercopa originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Seat Leon Cupra offers more for less than the GTI

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 22:18:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Brands within the VW Group umbrella seem to need better coordination because they just keep stepping on each other's toes. This time it's not Volkswagen and Audi marketing competing models, but Volkswagen and Seat, the company's Spanish marque.

Seat's models are by-and-large based on Volkswagens, but, like the models from Czech subsidiary Skoda, are generally priced below the equivalent VWs. The Seat Leon is based on the VW Golf, and each has their sportier version: Golf has the GTI and Leon has its Cupra. The trouble for Volkswagen is the Cupra is more powerful than the GTI, and hits the British market (for reference) at £400 less than its German sibling.

Volkswagen may not subscribe to the "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" theory, but meanwhile Seat has been cleaning house in the touring cars (especially in England). Based on their racing expertise, Seat has managed to squeeze an extra 30 horses out of the 2-liter turbo four that powers its Leon Cupra and the GTI. Unlike the three-door GTI, the 237-hp Seat is a five-door hatch and reaches 100km/h (62mph) in 6.4 seconds. Also part of the Cupra package are 18" rims with red calipers peering through, a sport-oriented cockpit and the option of that wonderful DSG dual-clutch transmission.

With the added aggressive styling (which is, admittedly, a matter of taste) and the Seat Leon Cupra makes for a tempting alternative for GTI buyers across the pond.

Related Items:

[Source: Motor Authority]

Seat Leon Cupra offers more for less than the GTI originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 22:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEAT officially unveils the new Leon Cupra

Alex Nunez — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:44:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Hatchback, Misc. Auto Shows

We brought you initial pics and details last week, and today, SEAT made it all official in London where factory Touring Car drivers James Thompson (WTCC) and Jason Plato (BTCC) pulled the checkered cover off the all-new Leon Cupra.

To refresh your memories, the Cupra is the latest tasty morsel from the Spanish automaker. The stylish hatch has VW's 2.0T FSI four-banger lurking underhood, tuned to produce 240 horsepower. So equipped, it makes the run from 0-62 in 6.4 seconds, topping out at an impressive 153 mph. Somehow through all this the Cupra (if you resist the urge to drop the hammer all the time) can average over 30mpg in fuel consumption along the way.

Distinguishable by its curvy body, tough aero kit, and 18" wheels, the Cupra also creates an inviting driving environment for it's pilot and passengers, with sport seats, contrast stitching, and a slick variation on the already-excellent VW-sourced dash and instrument cluster.

We wish we could get it here!

(Additional info and photos after the jump)

[Source: SEAT]

Continue reading SEAT officially unveils the new Leon Cupra

SEAT officially unveils the new Leon Cupra originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments