2013 SEAT Leon REVEALED

Despite a sneaky photo being leaked from the SEAT factory at the end of last week today SEAT have taken the wraps off their all-new third generation Leon.

Seen here in all its glory the new Leon trades it’s smooth, curvy shape for a more edgy and angular look not dissimilar to its smaller Ibiza brother. At the front there are angular – first-in-class full LED – headlights and aggressive air intakes. In profile the new Leon is very different from before with its sharp creases and a wheelbase that has increased by six centimetres despite an overall decrease in length of five centimetres. The rear also has visual links with the Ibiza with its pointy rear lights that sit under a deep hip-crease along with a heavily sculpted lower bumper.

Inside SEAT has made equally drastic changes, again gone is the soft, rounded look to be replaced with a more civilised yet sophisticated two-tone interior with a centre console angled towards the driver bringing all of the controls in easy reach. SEAT is making a lot of noise about its 5 inch (or 5.8 inch upgrade) touch screen Easy Connect infotainment unit that sits neatly in the centre of the dash controlling the sound system, vehicle functions and a navigation system on higher spec models. Cabin materials are said to have been significantly improved with increased cabin space all-round including a 380 litre boot – up 40 litres over the previous model.

Using the Volkswagen Group’s cutting-edge new MQB platform the new Leon promises significantly better comfort and sporty handling. This platform has already been seen on the new Audi A3 and will soon appear on the next-gen VW Golf and Skoda Octavia. There are unusually two different suspension setups both with MacPherson struts up front. Models with up to 148 bhp will use a torsion bar and more powerful models will get a multi-link arrangement similar to that seen on the new VW Beetle. SEAT is also introducing its new SEAT Drive Profile which enables drivers to alter various driving characteristics such as power steering, throttle control and engine sound (FR only) via three modes; Eco, Comfort and Sport. The cars interior ambient lighting also changes from white to red.

A large array of fuel-efficient TDi and TSi engines will be available from 1.2 to 2.0 litres. Ecomotive 1.6 litre diesel unit will return 74.3 mpg on average and emit just 99g/km co2 – in contrast the re-engineered 2.0 TDi will return 70.6 mph in Ecomotive trim despite producing 148 bhp. Petrol engines available with be two 1.2 TSi units with 85 and 104 bhp; a 1.4 TSi with 120 bhp and at the top of the range a 1.8 TSi with 178 bhp.

The transmissions on offer will be a mix of five or six speed manual gearboxes or Volkswagens six and seven speed DSG dual-clutch gearboxes.

Not only is the Leon an all-new design but it is also the very first SEAT model to feature the company’s revised corporate badge. The badge has been simplified to appear “cleaner and purer” and will appear on all SEAT models over the coming months

The new Leon is likely to go on sale at the beginning of 2013 with prices in the region of £14,500 for base models rising to £26,000 for the plushest models.