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The SEAT León is a small family car built by the Spanish car manufactured SEAT since 1999. It uses the Volkswagen A platform and shares other components with the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and Škoda Octavia.
León Mk. I (1999-2005)
As SEAT's best selling car, the León Mk I was marketed as a sportier and cheaper variant of the VW Golf. The first-generation was the hatchback version of the SEAT Toledo. To reinforce the sporty image, the vehicle has aggressive looks and is equipped with firm suspension to improve handling. The more expensive versions are equipped with powerful engines.
Available engines range from 1.4 L and include two variants of the Volkswagen Group's 20 valve turbocharged 1.8 L powerplant, or a 2.8 L V6 delivering 204 PS (150 kW). The León Cupra has a 1.8 Turbo with 180 PS (132 kW), and the León Cupra R 225 PS (165 kW). A 150 PS (110 kW) version of VW's 1.9 TDI engine is also available, originally as a Cupra, but later downgraded to the FR (Formula Racing) version.
Some Leons are equipped with all wheel drive, which is based on the same Haldex differential as the VW Golf 4Motion. All engines over 130 PS (96 kW) have a standard manual 6-speed gearbox.
León Mk. II (2005-present)
The New León, based on VW Golf V platform, has a sharper look with the wipers hidden and the external rear doors handles more integrated but inside the plastics stay hard and rather dull. Design was handled by Walter de'Silva, and the car uses the same design style that started with the Altea.
In spite of its sporty image, the engine range is more limited when compared with the Golf's. Base model is the old 8-valve 1.6 L engine. The sportier variants began with the 150 PS (110 kW) 2.0 FSI and 140 PS (103 kW) 2.0 TDI. Both are fitted with a standard 6-speed manual and optional DSG gearbox. A 185 PS (136 kW) variant of the 2.0 TFSI was later presented, but not as a performance model.
The first real sporty León, the León FR, was introduced in June 2006, and it finally received the 200 PS (147 PS) 2.0 TFSI from the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the 170 PS (125 kW) 2.0 TDI featured in the Golf GTD. While both models retained the 6-speed manual, only the petrol variant can be fitted with the DSG. The more powerful SEAT León Cupra is scheduled to premier in 18 July at the British Motorshow in London.
SEAT León in motorsport
The first generation SEAT León Cupra R was the basis of a one-make trophy, the Supercopa SEAT León. It ran in Spain, UK, Germany and Turkey from 2003. The car was developed by SEAT Sport and power was raised to 250 PS (184 kW). An "International Masters" final, featuring the best four drivers from each national series, was introduced in October 2005, as a support race for the Spanish GT Championship's final round at Montmeló. A TDI-powered version has raced in the ECTS, an Italian-based endurance series for touring cars.
In 2005, SEAT introduced the second generation León in the World Touring Car Championship, to replace the previous Toledo. The car features several modifications, including a racing engine that can reach over 260 PS (over 190 kW), a Hewland sequential-shift gearbox (unrelated to the DSG), and an aerodynamic package for increased downforce (with its hatchback shape, the León is disavantaged against sedans). Minimum weight is 1140 kg (2510 lb) with driver. SEAT Sport, in partnership with Oreca, runs six cars in the WTCC, plus two others in the BTCC and another two in the Italian Superturismo.
In 2006, the Supercopa León was replaced by the new shape. The car is potentially faster than the WTCC version, as it features a turbocharged 2.0 L engine, with over 300 PS (over 220 kW), increased torque, the DSG gearbox, better aerodynamics (it includes the WTCC car's front and rear spoilers, plus a Venturi tunnel under the car, instead of a flat bottom), and 18 inch wheels, instead of the mandatory 17 inch wheels from the WTCC.
See also
External links
"SEAT León"