SEAT LeonThe latest Leon is a revision of the second generation car which first saw light of day at the factory near Barcelona in 2005. In simple terms this is a 5-door hatchback, but the range is a big one, and indeed here in the UK the car sells in virtually the same numbers as its smaller sibling, the Ibiza. Engines extend from the 85PS of the 1.4 petrol up to the awesome 265PS Cupra R model, but in between are three more petrol and three turbodiesels. Our test machine was the FR+ model, which comes with a choice of two potent 2-litre engines: the petrol TSI or, as in ours, the 170PS TDI.The company makes a lot of the Leon design having “the sleek image of a coupé with five-door hatchback practicality, giving it unique visual appeal in a sector largely dominated by conservative, ‘me too’ designs”. A glance at our pictures will probably convince you of the statement’s worth, and even the rear end, now with wider window for improved visibility, and capped by a discreet spoiler and third brake light, does look more stylish than the norm. Out of the ordinary too are the wipers, which like those of the Altea are parked vertically in a recess in front of the ‘A’ pillars, and individually driven in opposing directions to produce a butterfly-style wipe that ensures good visibility for the driver, in left- or right-hand drive cars.Anyone familiar with previous Leons will notice a raft of changes to the interior. New upholsteries include a number of options, such as the smart black and red job on our FR model. A new instrument cluster is backlit with what they say are ‘ultra-clear’ white LEDs. Possibly it’s because they’re so good that at night the heat/vent controls – with not-so-clear red illumination – are remarkably difficult to deal with. Once you’ve lived with them for a few months I’m sure there would be no problem, but you’d need to learn them.With a length pretty much that of Ford’s Focus, the Leon offers a sensible amount of passenger room. Getting into the rear seats is of course no problem with a 5-door car, though many observers will be unaware there are that many thanks to the hidden door handles . Once in, there’s fairly generous leg and loads of head room. Front seats are well designed, with plenty of side support, and you really feel you’re sitting in rather than on them. However, for a few reasons the Leon cabin isn’t the quietest place to be: tyre noise is noticeable, ride is firm, and our diesel engine made its presence audibly felt with anything more than gentle dabs on the throttle. However, once up to cruising speed the high gearing(over 32mph per 1000 revs in sixth) pacifies the engine. Most of those qualities mentioned above will put a smile on the face of the driver, for this Leon certainly responds positively to driver input. Bags of torque and power are what you’d expect from a muscular 2-litre diesel out of the Volkswagen stable, and you get both. Couple that not only to a gear change that’s positive and precise, but roadholding that’s likewise, and you have a car that, in the typical SEAT tradition, is a lot of fun for the driver.SEAT sales have been increasing steadily for the last few years even while other manufacturers have been weathering our economic storms. Having grown their UK numbers in 2010 to 1.62% of the total, which equates to almost 33,000 cars, SEAT will in 2011 do even better, for by November their sales were already higher than the 2010 total, and market share had risen to over 1.8% – an impressive performance in these trying times. The Leon has a few niggles, but it’s a very likeable car chiefly on account of the driving qualities. But go beyond that, and with five doors, a sizeable boot (341-1166 litres) and good leg room all round it looks a strong buy as a reasonably priced family car, and the wide range of engines means that if the practical matters and styling appeal, you’ll be able to find an engine to suit. One engine that’s getting a lot of attention at the moment – in these times when fuel economy is a major concern – is the Ecomotive, which despite its reasonably brisk performance figures (0-60 in 11.5secs) boasts a remarkable official consumption of over 74mpg.Size: 4.32m x 1.77mEngines: 1.2. to 2.0 litre petrol – 85 to 265PS1.6 to 2.0 litre diesel – 105 to 170PSGearbox: 5/6-speed manual / 6/7-speed auto FWDBest Consumption: 1.6 TDI Ecomotive – 74.3mpgPrice: from £14,885Full details of the Leon are available on the manufacturer’s website: www.seat.co.ukPeter Cracknell – Dec 2011
SEAT Leon
The latest Leon is a revision of the second
generation car which first saw light of day at the
factory near Barcelona in 2005. In simple terms this
is a 5-door hatchback, but the range is a big one, and
indeed here in the UK the car sells in virtually the
same numbers as its smaller sibling, the Ibiza.
Engines extend from the 85PS of the 1.4 petrol up to
the awesome 265PS Cupra R model, but in between
are three more petrol and three turbodiesels. Our test
machine was the FR+ model, which comes with a
choice of two
potent 2-litre
engines: the petrol
TSI or, as in ours,
the 170PS TDI.
The company
makes a lot of the
Leon design having
“the sleek image of
a coupé with five-
door hatchback
practicality, giving it
unique visual
appeal in a sector
largely dominated
by conservative,
‘me too’ designs”. A
glance at our
pictures will
probably convince
you of the
statement’s worth,
and even the rear end, now with wider window for
improved visibility, and capped by a discreet spoiler
and third brake light, does look more stylish than the
norm. Out of the ordinary too are the wipers, which
like those of the Altea are parked vertically in a
recess in front of the ‘A’ pillars, and individually
driven in opposing directions to produce a butterfly-
style wipe that ensures good visibility for the driver, in
left- or right-hand drive cars.
Anyone familiar with previous Leons will notice a raft
of changes to the interior. New upholsteries include a
number of options, such as the smart black and red
job on our FR model. A new instrument cluster is
backlit with what they say are ‘ultra-clear’ white
LEDs. Possibly it’s because they’re so good that at
night the heat/vent controls – with not-so-clear red
illumination – are remarkably difficult to deal with.
Once you’ve lived with them for a few months I’m
sure there would be no problem, but you’d need to
learn them.
With a length pretty much that of Ford’s Focus, the
Leon offers a sensible amount of passenger room.
Getting into the rear seats is of course no problem
with a 5-door car, though many observers will be
unaware there are that many thanks to the hidden
door handles . Once in, there’s fairly generous leg
and loads of head room. Front seats are well
designed, with plenty of side support, and you really
feel you’re sitting in rather than on them. However,
for a few reasons the Leon cabin isn’t the quietest
place to be: tyre noise is noticeable, ride is firm, and
our diesel engine made its presence audibly felt with
anything more than gentle dabs on the throttle.
However, once up to cruising speed the high gearing
(over 32mph per 1000 revs in sixth) pacifies the engine.
Most of those qualities mentioned above will put a smile
on the face of the driver, for this Leon certainly responds
positively to driver input. Bags of torque and power are
what you’d expect from a muscular 2-litre diesel out of
the Volkswagen stable, and you get both. Couple that
not only to a gear change that’s positive and precise,
but roadholding that’s likewise, and you have a car that,
in the typical SEAT tradition, is a lot of fun for the driver.
SEAT sales have been
increasing steadily for
the last few years even
while other
manufacturers have
been weathering our
economic storms.
Having grown their UK
numbers in 2010 to
1.62% of the total,
which equates to
almost 33,000 cars,
SEAT will in 2011 do
even better, for by
November their sales
were already higher
than the 2010 total,
and market share had
risen to over 1.8% –
an impressive
performance in these
trying times.
The Leon has a few niggles, but it’s a very likeable car
chiefly on account of the driving qualities. But go
beyond that, and with five doors, a sizeable boot (341-
1166 litres) and good leg room all round it looks a strong
buy as a reasonably priced family car, and the wide
range of engines means that if the practical matters and
styling appeal, you’ll be able to find an engine to suit.
One engine that’s getting a lot of attention at the
moment – in these times when fuel economy is a major
concern – is the Ecomotive, which despite its
reasonably brisk performance figures (0-60 in 11.5secs)
boasts a remarkable official consumption of over
74mpg.
Size:
4.32m x 1.77m
Engines:
1.2. to 2.0 litre petrol – 85 to 265PS
1.6 to 2.0 litre diesel – 105 to 170PS
Gearbox:
5/6-speed manual / 6/7-speed auto FWD
Best Consumption:
1.6 TDI Ecomotive – 74.3mpg
Price:
from £14,885
Full details of the Leon are available on the manufacturer’s
website: www.seat.co.uk
Peter Cracknell – Dec 2011
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