SEAT · 1999–present

SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE

The SEAT León (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈse.at leˈon]), also spelled Leon in some markets, is a small family car built by the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT since October 1999. It is named after the city of León (which also means "Lion" in Spanish). The first two León 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 and Mk4.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: SEAT Altea FreeTrack

All SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

First generation (1M; 1999)

The Mk1 SEAT León hatchback (codename Typ 1M) launched in 1999, and was produced at Martorell, with a small number of 13,401 cars assembled in Belgium. Based on the Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform, it shared components with other VW Group models such as the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, but was marketed as a sportier and cheaper variant to that car. To reinforce this image it had a fastback design inspired by the Alfa Romeo Alfasud, and used firmer suspension with wider tyres to improve handling. The dashboard was derived from that of the first-generation Audi A3, with the saloon version called the SEAT Toledo. Non-turbo petrol engines were the 1.4-litre 16 valve with 55 kilowatts (75 PS; 74 bhp) and 1.6-litre 8 valve with 74 kW (101 PS; 99 bhp). The facelift replacing the 8 valve with the 16 valve 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) unit. The sportier "León 20VT" (in the UK badged as "Cupra" and then "FR"), had a 1.8-litre Turbo with 132 kW (179 PS; 177 bhp). The fastest "Cupra R" had 154 kW (209 PS; 207 bhp), and later 165 kW (224 PS; 221 bhp). The original Cupra was only available in the red, yellow and black colours of the Spanish and German national flags, as a homage to these countries collaborating on this project. In some countries there was a "Cupra 4" with a 2.8-litre VR6 delivering 150 kW (204 PS; 201 bhp) and four-wheel drive (4WD). This uses the same Haldex Traction system as the Volkswagen Golf 4motion. A range of turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engines were available, including a 110 kW (150 PS; 148 bhp) version. Originally sold as a "Cupra 4 TDI" 4WD, it was only sold for one year in certain countries and then became 2WD. This facelift model was first badged "Cupra" in the UK, "Top Sport" in most European countries, and then "FR" everywhere. A limited number

Second generation (1P; 2005)

Factory production of the second generation León, internal codename Typ 1P, commenced in May 2005. Similar in design to the SEAT Altea that launched a year earlier, it debuted modern Alfa Romeo like design cues and vertically parked wipers. Volkswagen's Driver Steering Recommendation (DSR) was available as an option. The Mk2 León used the new 16 valve 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine with 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp). In some markets (e.g. Greece, Romania and Italy), the base León used the older 1.4-litre MPI engine producing 63 kW (85 PS; 84 bhp). Sportier FR badged variants began with the 110 kW (150 PS; 148 bhp) 2.0-litre Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) and the popular 103 kW (140 PS; 138 bhp) 2.0-litre Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine. Both were fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, with a six-speed or seven-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) as an option. A 136 kW (185 PS; 182 bhp) 2.0 TFSI was introduced, but due to poor sales and the launch of FR models it was discontinued. In June 2006 the León received the 147 kW (200 PS; 197 bhp) 2.0 TFSI engine from the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 GTI, with twin chrome exhaust pipes, sport seats, stiffer suspension, climate control and FR branded parts. Also available was a 125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp) 2.0 TDI. The faster 2.0 TFSI Cupra model features a 177 kW (240 PS; 237 bhp) engine, with a 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph) time of 6.4 seconds. Unique Cupra parts included 18" 5 twin-spoke alloys, red brake calipers, oval exhaust, aluminium pedals, paint colours and heavily bolstered sports seats. Launched in 2008 the K1 León Cupra was made for one year for the UK market. Inspired by the BTCC race car, it featured redesigned bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler and oval exhaust. The fastest Mk2 León is the 2.0 TFSI Cupra R, using the sam

Third generation (5F; 2012)

The third generation of the León is based on the Volkswagen Group's latest MQB platform, which is shared with the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf. Compared to the previous generation, the León Mk3 is shorter by 5 cm (2 in) and lighter by up to 90 kg (198 lb); however, because its wheelbase has been extended by 5.8 cm (2.3 in), it has a roomier cabin with greater shoulder room for the front and rear passengers, more rear legroom and 380 litres (13 cu ft) of boot space. The first official information and pictures of the car were released on 16 July 2012, with its public debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. It is 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 (often as standard) 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

Fourth generation (KL1/KL8; 2020)

A fourth generation of León was presented on 28 January 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 is configurable with petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, and, plug-in hybrid engines. The fourth-generation León is 16mm narrower and 90mm longer than the previous generation of León. The five-door León boot capacity of 380 litres has remained unchanged, and the Estate's storage is increased by 30 litres to 617 litres compared to the previous generation. Engine options are two petrol TSI engines – a 1-litre three-cylinder producing 108 bhp and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with either 128 bhp or 148 bhp. The TDI diesel option is a 2-litre producing either 113 bhp or 148 bhp. Also available is a (CNG) compressed natural gas 1.5 litre TGI unit that produces 96 kW/130PS of power giving the CNG-powered SEAT León a CNG range of 440 km (273 miles). When CNG tanks are depleted, the engine switches automatically to run on petrol until the next CNG refuelling. The eTSI mild hybrid has a 48V electric motor and is available with either the 109 bhp 1-litre or 148 bhp 1.5 litre petrol engine. The system allows the León to coast with the engine switched off during some driving scenarios and recover energy under braking which is then stored in a 48V lithium-ion battery. The Plug-in Hybrid (eHybrid) 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine electric motor with a 13kWh lithium-ion battery to produce 150 kW/204PS of power, switching to petrol only when its battery needs recharging to produce an electric-only 60 km (38 miles) range. Charging is quoted at just 3.5 hours via a 3.6 kW AC socket; it takes 6 hours to charge it from a 230V socket. To date, this is the most powerful SEAT ever produced that d

Motorsport

The first generation SEAT León Cupra R was the basis of a one-make trophy, the SEAT León Supercopa. It operated in Spain, UK, Germany and Turkey from 2003. The car was developed by SEAT Sport and power was raised to 184 kilowatts (250 PS; 247 bhp). 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 León was replaced by the new shape León. The car is potentially faster than the WTCC version, as it features a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, with over 221 kW (300 PS; 296 bhp), 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 León' Cupra Race cars with 221 kW (300 PS; 296 bhp), as well as the Mk1 León Cupra R race car with 184 kW (250 PS; 247 bhp). The SEAT León 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 León Super 2000 car. During 2005, SEAT introduced the second generation León into the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) 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 191 kW (260 PS; 256 bhp), a Hewland sequential-shift gearbox (unrelated to the DSG), and an aerodynamic package for increase

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 at other Volkswagen Group 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/Cupra León cars, manufactured in SEAT and other Volkswagen Group plants, is shown below :

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: SEAT León
aka: Cupra León (2020–present)
Manufacturer: SEAT
Production: October 1999 – present
Class: Compact car/small family car (C)
Predecessor: SEAT Ronda
Body style: 3-door hatchback (2013–2018), 5-door hatchback, 5-door estate (2013–present)
Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive
sp: uk