SEAT León


The SEAT León is a hatchback compact car built by the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT since October 1998.
The first two Leon generations used two differing variants of the Volkswagen Group A platform, and shared many components with other Volkswagen Group cars. The third and fourth generation use the Volkswagen Group MQB platform, also used by the Audi A3 Mk3 and Mk4, Volkswagen Golf Mk7 and Mk8 and Škoda Octavia Mk3, Mk4.

First generation (''Typ'' 1M; 1998–2005)

The initial SEAT Leon, launched in 1999, available only as hatchback, and the related saloon version was known as the SEAT Toledo. It was based on the Volkswagen Group A4 platform and, as such, shared many components in common with other VW Group models such as the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, Bora and Audi A3. It was mainly produced at SEAT's Martorell plant with a small number of 13,401 cars assembled in 2000 at VW group's plant in Belgium. As SEAT's first C-segment model as part of the VW Group, the Leon Mk1 was marketed as a sportier and cheaper variant of the Golf. To reinforce the sporty image, the vehicle had slightly more aggressive looks. The more expensive versions were equipped with relatively more powerful internal combustion engines, along with firmer suspension to improve handling. In the interior, the dashboard was derived from that of the first-generation Audi A3.
Available engines were the 1.4-litre 16 valve petrol engine which produced a, a 1.6-litre 8 valve petrol engine , and included two variants of the Volkswagen Group's 20 valve turbocharged 1.8-litre powerplant, had a 1.8-litre Turbo with, and the "Leon Cupra R", later becoming. It became first available in only three body paints, picked as an homage to the colors of both Spain's and Germany's national flags referring back to the roots of the joint project the model originally was.
In some countries, there was also a "Cupra 4"; equipped with a 2.8-litre VR6 delivering and equipped with four-wheel drive, based on the same Haldex Traction multi-plate clutch as the Volkswagen Golf 4motion.
A range of turbocharged direct injection diesel engines was available, including a version of Volkswagen Group's 1.9 TDI engine, originally sold as a "Cupra 4 TDI", with 4WD, that was sold for one year only, and only in certain countries, then passed to "Evolution" series, then "Top Sport", and later rebranded as the "FR". In other countries the model was badged "Cupra" and then "FR" before a limited number of cars were fitted with the bodykit from the petrol powered "Cupra R" and named the "FR+". Lesser diesel versions were available with, and outputs.
All engines over have a standard six-speed manual transmission. Rear suspension was by semi-independent torsion beam for most variants, whilst high-end and 4WD models were fitted with a multi-link independent rear suspension. All versions came with disc brakes on all four wheels.
In Mexico, the Leon became a very popular car with upper class young people. The only problem the Leon has suffered in Mexico is the fact that the sport tuned suspension of the Leon is not designed to withstand the constant road imperfections such as potholes and speed bumps that abound in Mexican roads.
In Switzerland, there was another official version tuned by Abt Sportsline of the Leon called "SEAT Leon Cupra 4 Kompressor". This version had the same 4WD and 2.8-litre VR6 but with and of torque.
Factory production of the Typ 1M ended in May 2006. However, the appreciation for the SEAT Leon Cupra R Mk1's appeal remained clear, still up to the 'best hot hatchback of all time' poll, conducted in 2010 by Autocar, in which its readers honoured the Cupra R #7, in the top ten list of hatchbacks of all time in their preferences.

Awards

The Typ 1M SEAT Leon was available with the following internal combustion engines, with most being shared from other marques of the Volkswagen Group:

Second generation (''Typ'' 1P; 2005–2012)

The second generation Leon, Typ 1P, was released in 2005, with factory production commencing May 2005. It was based on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform, most notably used by the Volkswagen Golf Mk5. It was built in Spain, and had a sharper exterior look with vertically parked windscreen wipers, 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 used the same design style that started with the SEAT Altea.
The base model offered was the new 16 valve 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine with. In some markets, the Leon was available with a 1.4-litre MPI engine producing. The sportier variants began with the 2.0-litre Fuel Stratified Injection and the popular 2.0-litre Turbocharged Direct Injection diesel engine. Both were fitted with a standard six-speed manual transmission, with the six-speed or seven-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox available as an option. A variant of the 2.0 TFSI unique to the Leon was later introduced, but despite a low list price and rapid performance – attracted only minimal attention and average reviews, so this was later discontinued to make way for the sportier FR variants.
The first real sporty Leon within the new range was the Leon FR with twin-exhaust pipes to left rear, sport seats and gear stick with FR logo to distinguish it from lesser models, was introduced in June 2006, when it finally received the 2.0 TFSI engine from the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 GTI, as well as a variant of the 2.0 TDI unit featured in the Golf and Audi A3. Further standard equipment included climate control air conditioning.
Next in the range was the 2.0 TFSI Cupra model. It features a engine, and a 0- time of 6.4 seconds. The Cupra came with standard 18" 5 twin-spoke alloys, red brake calipers, and the standard Cupra oval exhaust, as well as new, unique paint finishes and bolstered sport seats complete with the Cupra logo. Also standard were drilled-aluminium sports pedals.
At the top of the range was the 2.0 TFSI Cupra R. This used the same engine found in the Audi S3, Golf R and Scirocco R. Capable of 0– in 6.2 seconds and a top speed limited to.
From 2008, the K1 variant of the Leon Cupra was introduced in the UK, featuring extensively re-worked front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a more pronounced tailgate spoiler. It also gained a unique chrome-tipped, centrally-mounted, oval exhaust. The K1 was considered to be a limited edition model, only available in the UK market for the year 2008–2009.
In 2009, the SEAT Leon Cupra was turned into a race car in the SEAT Cupra race mobile game for Apple iPhone/iPod touch available through the iTunes' App store.

Awards

Copa Edition

In 2008, SEAT Deutschland announced the production of 55 units of the SEAT Leon Copa Edition. This limited edition was powered with 2.0 TFSI engine improved to of maximum power, and. Maximum speed is and 0- time is 5.9 seconds. The suspension was from Eibach derived from the Leon Supercopa, and the brakes had been improved to cope with the enhanced performance from the uprated engine. In addition, the car included xenon HID headlights, 18 inch wheels and a spoiler with larger air intakes. The car colour was white with black stripes.
SEAT México announced the production of 100 units of the Copa Edition in orange colour with black stripes in September 2008. The Mexican version had a sunroof, whilst the European Leon Copa did not.

Streetcopa and World Champion Edition

At the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, the Leon Streetcopa limited edition was released. It was a similar edition of Leon Copa Edition with some changes, designed for the Swiss market and limited to 200 units. Lately, after SEAT won World Touring Car Championship, SEAT Schweiz released a facelifted version called Leon World Champion Edition, also limited to 200 units.

Cupra 310 Limited Edition

SEAT Nederland announced the production of Leon Cupra 310 Limited Edition, with 2.0 TFSI engine upgraded to of maximum power and. The production was limited to 100 units.
It came only in Candy white or Infiri black. The Cupra 310 Limited Edition featured beside the OEM Cupra equipment an engine management remapping by Abt Sportsline, black Orion-alloy wheels, an alarm system, Bluetooth connectivity and special 310 Limited Edition badges on the sides and the rear hatch. There were also stainless decals inside the front door frames displaying the 310 Ltd logo. A badge on the dashboard displayed the serial number, and the car was delivered with a key ring to match. Full factory warranty was retained with the power increase that increased the top speed to.

Cupra Pies Descalzos

In 2007, SEAT prepared a sole car customized by Shakira. This car was auctioned, and the benefits went to the charity through Pies Descalzos Foundation. Mechanically, it is the same car as the Leon Cupra.

Leon Twin Drive concepts

SEAT produced two versions of the Twin Drive prototype. Initially announced in May 2009 as a diesel/battery hybrid, the Leon Twin Drive Ecomotive was a series plug-in hybrid, powered by an electric motor, through lithium-ion batteries chargeable at a regular electrical socket, in combination with a diesel-powered internal combustion engine. The Twin Drive Ecomotive project was a first step towards a 100% electric car and was planned to go into production in 2014.
The Twin Drive Ecomotive as a plug-in hybrid vehicle powered through the combination of both a diesel engine and an electric motor. The vehicle's electric motor had an output of 35 KW and a self-imposed top speed of, and resumed power from Li-ion batteries placed at the rear of the vehicle, giving it a range of about for short urban circuits, while for longer trips the environmentally friendly tuned combustion engine was used. Quick battery recharging process from the mains through regular power sockets features.
In 2011, a revised version of the Twin Drive was shown to the press, with a 1.4TSI petrol engine producing in addition to a generator and an electric motor of, producing a combined limited output of and emitting a low 39g/km of CO2, with production now estimated in 2015.

Engine specifications

The Typ 1P SEAT Leon is available with the following internal combustion engines, and like the previous generation, many are shared from other marques of the Volkswagen Group:
A flexible-fuel vehicle model is also on offer under the label "MultiFuel", featuring the 1.6 MPI E85 102 bhp engine.

Third generation (''Typ'' 5F; 2012–2020)

The third generation of the Leon is based on the Volkswagen Group's latest MQB platform.
Compared to the previous generation, the Leon Mk3 is shorter by and lighter by up to ; however, because its wheelbase has been extended by, it has a roomier cabin with greater shoulder room for the front and rear passengers, more rear legroom and of boot space. The first official information and pictures of the car were released in July 16, 2012, while it got its public debut only a few months later, at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, in September. That makes Leon the second car to be based on the MQB platform.
It features new safety equipment, such as driver knee airbag, and a number of new safety systems, including a multi-collision braking system to automatically brake the car after an accident in order to avoid a second collision, a lane-keeping assistant, and driver fatigue detection. The braking system includes a hill-start assistant.
In the interior, there is a driver-oriented centre console hosting a 5.8-inch touch-screen infotainment display with some models featuring a proximity sensor, also used in the Volkswagen Golf, as well as ambient lighting.
A new feature available for the first time in its class are the optional full-LED headlamps combined with a full beam assistant. The full-LED headlamps offer numerous advantages over standard halogen bulbs such as improved illumination, a close to daylight colour temperature, lower energy consumption and an extended service life. The front fog lights can include a cornering feature.
The higher specification also have a new "SEAT Drive Profile" system which allows the driver to choose between four different driving settings: eco, normal, sport, and an individual setting. This system controls the behaviour of the engine, steering, and DSG gearbox. Additionally, the 1.8 TSI 180PS and 2.0 TDI 184PS engine-equipped models will vary their engine sound via a sound actuator, as well as their interior ambient lighting between white and red.
SEAT announced in early 2012 that the range will include for the first time three-door and estate models in addition to a five-door.
In September 2013, SEAT officially unveiled the Leon ST at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Leon ST extends the Leon's maximum load capacity to 1470 litres and is available in Europe in three different versions and eleven different engine options. On 23 June 2014, SEAT revealed an off-road version of the Léon ST called the X-PERIENCE.
In August 2018 SEAT discontinued the Léon SC due to lower demands for three-door hatchbacks.

Safety

In 2012, the SEAT Leon Mk3 was tested for its safety performance under the Euro NCAP assessment scheme and it achieved a 5-star overall rating:
TestScorePoints
Overall:N/A
Adult occupant:94%30
Child occupant:92%40
Pedestrian:70%25
Safety assist:71%5

Awards

Leon CONNECT

The SEAT Leon CONNECT is a special edition model that was released in 2015. It is equipped with SEAT’s Full Link Technology and a Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone. This technology allows the user’s phone to be connected to the car’s infotainment system and gives the user access to all the features of the SEAT ConnectApp. The SEAT Leon CONNECT has a range of exterior body colours that allow the mirrors and wheels to be customised. Interior details, including stitching are in Blue.

Engine specifications

The Typ 5F SEAT Leon is available with the following internal combustion engines all featuring direct injection and turbocharging, and like the previous generations they are shared with other marques of the Volkswagen Group:

Fourth generation (2020–present)

A fourth generation of Leon was presented on January 28, 2020. It shares the MQB-Platform with the Volkswagen Golf Mk8, Skoda Octavia Mk4 and Audi A3 Mk4. It has an all digital cluster, is full LED-Light equipped and will have a wide range of gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric engines.

SEAT Leon in motorsport

The first generation SEAT Leon Cupra R was the basis of a one-make trophy, the SEAT Leon Supercopa. It operated in Spain, UK, Germany and Turkey from 2003. The car was developed by and power was raised to. 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 2006, the Supercopa Leon was replaced by the new shape Leon. The car is potentially faster than the WTCC version, as it features a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, with over, increased torque, the DSG gearbox, better aerodynamics, and 18 inch wheels, instead of the mandatory 17 inch wheels from the WTCC.
For 2007, the SEAT Cupra Championship in the UK will run both 'New Leon' Cupra Race cars with, as well as the Mk1 Leon Cupra R race car with.
The SEAT Leon Eurocup began in 2008 as a support series for the World Touring Car Championship.
The car came top in Class D in the 2014 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

SEAT Leon Super 2000 car

During 2005, SEAT introduced the second generation Leon into the World Touring Car Championship to replace the Toledo Cupra which it had raced in the early rounds of the title. The car featured several modifications, including a racing engine that developed over, a Hewland sequential-shift gearbox, and an aerodynamic package for increased downforce. Minimum weight is with driver. SEAT Sport, in partnership with Oreca, ran six cars in the WTCC. Two other cars were run by SEAT Sport UK based in Northampton, UK in the British Touring Car Championship. A further two cars were run by SEAT Sport Italia in the Italia Superturismo Championship.
In mid-2007 SEAT introduced the Leon TDI to combat BMW's dominance. The car did show promise with Yvan Muller behind the wheel and the team was set to score championship win in Macau, but reliability issues caused Muller an retirement in Race 1 and the engine problems weren't solved in time thus not starting in Race 2 and handing the title to Andy Priaulx with BMW 320si.
In 2008, Muller won the FIA World Touring Car Championship for Drivers at the wheel of a Leon TDI, and SEAT won the Manufacturers' title. Leon TDI was also fielded by SEAT UK in the British Touring Car Championship with Jason Plato being the lead driver. Plato finished second behind Fabrizio Giovanardi with Vauxhall in the drivers' championship. At the end of the season SEAT UK withdrew from the series and subsequently this was the only season where Leon TDI competed in the BTCC.
In 2009, Gabriele Tarquini became the Drivers' Champion with the Leon TDI, and SEAT won the Manufacturers' title for a second consecutive year. At the end of the season SEAT Sport officially ended their manufacturer support. Leon TDI cars were entered by Sunred Engineering for the following season and despite not having official manufacturer support from SEAT, in the manufacturers' championship the entity was named SEAT Customers Technology. Tarquini finished second in the drivers' standings behind Yvan Muller with Chevrolet.
For 2011, new rules were introduced in WTCC, incorporating a new engine formula - 1.6 turbocharged engines, similar to those used in the World Rally Championship. In line with the changes Sunred created the SUNRED SR Leon 1.6T, using the then Leon TDI as base. The cars, however, were not ready for the start of the season, and Sunred drivers used the older Leon TDI, which was still eligible to enter thanks to the Jay Ten Trophy, introduced by the series promoter Eurosport for 2010-spec cars.
In 2012, SEAT Sport unofficially returned to the series introducing the SEAT Leon WTCC, effectively replacing the SR Leon from Sunred, to privateer entries. Some drivers like Tom Boardman and Tiago Monteiro started the season using the old Leon TDI. The TDI version was still eligible in the European Touring Car Cup where Fernando Monje won the 2012 championship. For the following season Leon TDI was banned from ETC Cup and with everyone now upgraded to the Leon WTCC 2012 marked the last time diesel car was entered in WTCC and ETCC. The Léon WTCC continued to be eligible until the introduction of TC1 in 2014.

Leon Cup Racer and Leon TCR

In 2013 SEAT Sport introduced a concept car, based on the third generation of Leon. Initially it was thought that this would be the car in which SEAT Sport would return to the series with full manufacturer team under the new TC1 regulations. However SEAT Sport announced that the car would be part of the revived Leon Eurocup for 2014.
The Leon Cup Racer then formed the base for the newly formed TCR International Series. The TCR regulations use this car as a template for the aerodynamic portions of the cars. In 2016 SEAT Sport introduced a TCR-spec version of the Leon with the original Cup Racer still being eligible in the International Series as well as national and regional championship utilising the TCR regulations.

Summary

Sales and production figures

Since its launch in 1999, more than 2 million SEAT León cars have been produced and sold in its three generations up to the present, made in SEAT's Martorell plant and other Volkswagen Group's factories.
In the year 2011, the total annual retail sales number of SEAT León cars was 77,075 vehicles, while the annual production of vehicles came up to 80,736 units.
The total production per year of SEAT León cars, manufactured in SEAT and other Volkswagen Group's plants, is shown in the following table :
Model19992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012
2013
2014
2015
2016201720182019
SEAT León
Total annual production		6,08093,12391,93993,60696,53690,85098,130126,511120,63096,76166,36879,46280,73671,295114,568157,087169,455163,228163,306159,486153,837