SEAT León

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SEAT León
Seat Leon
Manufacturer SEAT
Also called Proton Gen-2
Production 1999—present
Class Small family car
Body style 5-door hatchback
Layout Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform Volkswagen A
Length 4185 mm
Width 1740 mm
Height 1460 mm
Related Audi A3
Škoda Octavia
Volkswagen Golf
Similar Alfa Romeo 147
Citroën C4
Fiat Bravo
Ford Focus

The SEAT León (pronounced Leh-On) is a small family car built by the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT since 1999. It uses the Volkswagen A platform and shares other components with the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and Škoda Octavia.

Contents

[edit] León Mk. I (1999-2005)

The first-generation was the hatchback version of the SEAT Toledo, was based on the Mk IV Golf floorpan, and drew from the VW parts bin sharing many components in common with the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf. As SEAT's best selling car, the León Mk I was marketed as a sportier and cheaper variant of the Golf. 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 were the 75 PS 1.4 litre 16 valve petrol, 105 PS 1.6 litre 8 valve petrol (quickly replaced with a 16 valve unit) and included two variants of the Volkswagen Group's 20 valve turbocharged 1.8 litre powerplant, (with some countries also getting the 2.8 litre V6 delivering 204 PS (150 kW). The original León Cupra (which became know as the Cupra T) had a 1.8 litre Turbo with 180 PS (132 kW), and the León Cupra R 210 PS (165 kW), later becoming 225 PS. A range of TDI Diesel engines was available, including a 150 PS (110 kW) version of VW's 1.9 TDI engine, originally sold as a Cupra 4 TDi, with 4 wheel drive, that was sold for 1 year only, and only in certain countries, then passed to Evolution series, then Top Sport and later rebranded as the FR (Formula Racing). Lesser diesel versions were available with 90, 110 and 130 PS outputs.

In some countries, a León was available equipped with four-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.

[edit] León Mk. II (2005-present)

The New León, based on VW Golf V platform, has a sharper exterior look with the windscreen wipers hidden and the external rear door handles more integrated, in a similar style to that seen on recent Alfa Romeo models. Design was handled by Walter de'Silva, and the car uses the same design style that started with the SEAT Altea.

In spite of its sporty image, the engine range is more limited when compared with the Golf's. The base model on offer in the United Kingdom is the old 8-valve 1.6 L engine with 102 PS (75 kW). In some markets (e.g. Greece), the Leon is available with a 1.4 liter MPI engine producing 63kw/85hp. The sportier variants begin with the 150 PS (110 kW) 2.0 FSI and the popular 140 PS (103 kW) 2.0 TDI Diesel. Both are fitted with a standard 6-speed manual with the DSG semi-auto gearbox available as an option. A 185 PS (136 kW) variant of the 2.0 TFSI unique to the León was later introduced, but despite a low list price and rapid performance attracted only minimal attention and average reviews, so this was later taken off sale to make way for the sportier FR variants.

The first real sporty León within the new range is the León FR with rear twin-exhaust pipes to one side, sport seats and gear stick with FR logo to distinguish it from lesser models, was introduced in June 2006, when it finally received the 200 PS (147 kW) 2.0 TFSI engine from the Volkswagen Golf GTI, as well as a 170 PS (125 kW) variant of the 2.0 TDI unit featured in the Golf and Audi A3. While both models retained the 6-speed manual, only the petrol variant can be fitted with the DSG. Further standard equipment includes climate control for the front passengers.

The range-topping model in the León range is to be the 2.0 TFSI Cupra model. Boasting 240 PS (177 kW) and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.4 seconds, this model will be the fastest SEAT ever. The Cupra comes with standard 18" 5 twin-spoke alloys, red brake callipers and the standard Cupra oval exhaust to distinguish it from the FR model, as well as new, unique paint finishes and heavily bolstered sport seats complete with the Cupra logo. Also standard are climate control for the front passengers and drilled-aluminium sports pedals.

[edit] SEAT León in motorsport

SEAT León at the World Touring Car Championship.
SEAT León at the World Touring Car Championship.

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 (WTCC) as Toledo Cupra, 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. Two other cars are run by SEAT Sport UK (Northern South) based in Northampton, UK in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). A further two cars are run by SEAT Sport Italia in the Italia Superturismo Championship.

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.

For 2007 the SEAT Cupra Championship in the UK (part of the Toca Package) will run both 'New Leon' Cupra Race cars (300bhp) as well as the Mk1 Leon Cupra R race car 250bhp

[edit] Value and equipment

One area in which the SEAT León has received positive reviews is the superb value the car offers when compared against both its sister models, the similarly sized Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3, and rival cars like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Vauxhall Astra. UK Prices for the León begin at just £11495 for the 1.6 Essence model, with a spec that includes a CD player and electric front windows. For the same kit count and power of engine on a Ford Focus, the cost would be a not-insignificant £1500 more.

The Essence variant begins the range. This trim is available only in the UK, and features a CD player, electric front windows and remote central locking. The Essence is only currently available with the entry-level 1.6  litre engine. Next comes the Reference which for an additional cost of £700 adds air conditioning. Reference models are available with a 1.6 petrol or 1.9 TDI engine. Stylance adds two-zone climate control, rear electric windows, fog lights, 16" alloy wheels and the option of leather for a further £1000 price premium and is available with the 1.6 or 2 litre petrol or 1.9/2.0 TDI engines. Reference Sport adds different 16" alloys as well as heavily bolstered sports seats, in conjunction with the 2.0 FSI and 2.0 TDI engines. Sport trim has been phased out for the 2007 model year but all the features found here are on the new Stylance Sport Pack, including red sports seats and larger 17" alloy wheels.

(Information as of 2006-10-01, from www.seat.co.uk)

[edit] Video games

The León has been recently featured in numerous racing video games. It was featured in Microsoft's Project Gotham Racing 2 and Forza Motorsport, and also recent editions of Gran Turismo.

It will also appear in the forthcoming SimBin developed WTCC game, "RACE - The Official WTCC Game", which is due for release in November 2006.

The 2003 Leon Cupra R is also scheduled to appear in the upcoming Forza Motorsport 2 due for release in May 2007 on the Xbox 360.

[edit] External links

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