A broader diesel range: SEAT León now features the 130 hp 1.9 TDi engine
Posted by: kak in Seat
SEAT has widened its León diesel offering still further with the addition of a new 130 hp (96 kW) variant of the company’s potent 1,900 cc TDi engine. Now every model in the SEAT range, bar the Arosa, features this acclaimed unit. With the introduction of the engine, the León now represents SEAT’s most comprehensive Diesel model range, with a total of five versions available: the range runs from the economical 68 hp 1.9 SDi, via the effective 90 and 110 hp 1.9 TDi and the new 130 hp TDi, to the powerful top-of-the-range 150 hp 1.9 TDi. The latter is also available with 4 traction.
The new 130 hp León 1.9 TDi is mated to a six-speed gearbox and is sold in Sport and Signo finishes. Versions equipped with this engine can be identified by the “TDI” badge, where the “DI” is in red.
A growing market
There has been a steady increase in Diesel vehicle sales across the European Union (EU) in recent years to the extent that in 2002 more than 40 per cent of all cars sold in the EU were diesel powered. (Source: Association Auxiliaire de l”Automobile”).
In Spain, the rise of diesel is even more dramatic. Petrol engine cars outsold Diesels until 1998, but every year since then more and more people have opted for a Diesel vehicle. In 2002, 57.3 per cent of all cars registered in Spain were Diesels: in 2001, the equivalent figure was 51.7 per cent. Last year, of a total of just under 1,332,000 passenger vehicles registered in Spain, about 762,000 were Diesels and 570,000 were petrol-powered.
In 2003, Diesels accounted for more than 70 per cent of the vehicles sold by SEAT and almost 82 per cent of the León units sold so far this year have been equipped with a TDi engine… evidence of the high level of acceptance of these remarkable engines, both for their excellent performance and low consumption.
In order to satisfy this growing Diesel demand, SEAT offers a wide selection of Diesel models, including the economical SDi available on the Arosa, Ibiza, Córdoba and León ranges and the complete range of TDi engines outlined in the following table.
ENGINE - High performance, low consumption
The new 130 hp SEAT León 1.9 TDi promises the ideal combination of excellent performance figures and frugal fuel consumption.
It boasts a top speed of 205 km/h, sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds and covers a standing kilometre in 31.2 seconds. Its excellent peak torque figure of 310 Nm at 1,900 rpm provides driving pleasure and safe overtaking with excellent in-gear acceleration. It takes just 9.7 seconds to accelerate from 80 to 120 km/h in fifth gear and 12.6 seconds in sixth.
The interior dimensions of the 130 hp TDi engine are identical to the 110 hp version. The main differences stem from the pump-injector units, which deliver more fuel under higher pressure. The compressor includes a wider diameter turbo with broader blades. Its 130 hp output is achieved at 4,000 rpm.
CHASSIS - Proven efficiency
Naturally, a car’s chassis has to be capable of handling the engine’s power. When it comes to the León, this is a given: after all, the most potent León offers 225 hp. With McPherson struts at the front and a semi-rigid, directional effect rear shaft, the León provides exceptional handling and roadholding on the open road.
As is usual at SEAT, there is a Sport version with revised suspension settings for those who want sportier behaviour from their car. The package includes stiffer shock absorbers, harder coil springs (10%) and a chassis lowered by 10 mm.
Both the 130 hp León 1.9 TDi Signo and Sport are equipped with a braking system with 288 mm self-ventilated discs at the front and 232 mm solid rear discs.
Both versions have ABS and TCS traction control as standard and both also offer the option of electronic stability programme (ESP), which includes EBA, a braking aid that guarantees greater stopping ability in an emergency.
From the outside, the two versions can be told apart by their wheels. The 130 hp TDi Signo is equipped with 195/65 tyres on 6J x 15 inch steel rims, while the Sport version comes with 205/55 tyres on 7J x 16 inch alloys.
RANGE - Sport and Signo
The 130 hp León 1.9 TDi Sport offers a comprehensive list of standard features including front and side airbags, ABS, TCS, climate control, all-round power windows, electric heated door mirrors, 205/55 tyres on 16 inch alloy rims, sports seats, three-spoke leather steering wheel, leather gearknob, on-board trip computer, two-tone horn, 12 volt socket in the boot and CD radio equipment with eight speakers.
The Signo finish features standard driver and passenger airbag, side airbags, ABS, TCS, air conditioning, electric heated door mirrors, 15 inch steel rims, on-board computer, two-tone horn and CD radio equipment with eight speakers.
For those wishing to personalise their vehicle even more, both versions offer the following optional elements: ESP with EBA (braking aid system), electric sunroof, CD loader in the glove compartment, volumetric alarm, cruise control, telephone pre-installation and rain sensing wipers.
The list of optional equipment also features an attractive trim package with leather or a combination of leather and Alcantara upholstery which includes electrically controlled front seats with added lumbar adjustment. There are also two dynamic navigation systems available: ‘Standard’ transmits data through symbols, and ‘High’ which provides a real-time map display.
EQUIPMENT - Something for everyone
The Signo equipment offers luxury and distinction, while Sport provides added sportiness.
Both trim levels include the following standard equipment:
· Foglamps
· Electrically controlled, heated door mirrors in body colour
· Tinted glass
· 3rd brake light integrated in rear spoiler
· Bee-sting anti-theft roof aerial
· Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
· Front and rear power windows
· Remote controlled central locking
· CD radio equipment with eight speakers
· Height adjustable driver seat
· Split rear seat with height adjustable headrests
· Power steering
· Driver and passenger airbag
· Side airbags
· Height adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners
· Rear seatbelts with three-point anchoring system
· Immobiliser with cryptocoding
· On-board computer
· Pollen filter
Sport
The Sport equipment adds the following standard features:
· Three-spoke sporty leather steering wheel
· Leather gearknob and hand brake grip
· Front sport seats
· 205/55 tyres on 7J x 16 inch alloy rims
· Climate control
Signo
Signo adds the following exclusive equipment as standard:
· Air conditioning
· 195/65 tyres on 6J x 15 inch steel rims
· Three-spoke steering wheel
Optional equipment
A full list of optional equipment is available for both trim levels:
· Electric sunroof
· Cruise control
· Six CD changer in the glove compartment
· Telephone pre-installation
· ESP with EBA
· Volumetric alarm
· Rain sensing wipers
· Leather or leather and Alcantara upholstery
· Two dynamic navigation system options
The Signo finish can add:
· Climate control
· 195/65 tyres on 6J x 15 inch alloy rims
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