SERIES MODEL - FIT FOR RACING TOO: SEAT introduces the new León in Barcelona
Posted by: kak in Seat
The new SEAT León made its world debut today at the Barcelona Motor Show. This appearance featured both the series model and the racing version which will compete in the World Touring Car Championship. The León WTCC, which will make its debut this season at the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), is one of the most advanced racing vehicles ever to be built by SEAT. It was conceived with a view to winning one of the most important titles on the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) calendar, next to Formula One and the World Rally Championship.
Created and developed at the SEAT Sport site in Matorell, the León WTCC is the fulfillment of a technological achievement that will allow the Spanish brand to fight for a world championship this year already. This is the best proof that the sporty character of the SEAT series models is an unbeatable basis for developing excellent racing cars.
New León generation: sporty elegance
The second generation of the León reflects the looks of the Salsa concept car while the elegantly styled body blends the sporty image of a coupé with five-door practicality. Along with the Altea and the Ibiza, the new León forms one of the three cornerstones of the brand. Following the Altea and the Toledo, the León is the third new series product developed by SEAT after integration with the Audi brand group in 2002.
The style of the new León stands out thanks to its expressive headlamps and the suggestive shape of its bonnet, as well as for the Dynamic Line, a characteristic of all new generation of SEAT models, that runs along the side of the body from the front wheel arch to the rear wheel. Another distinguishing characteristic of the new León is the solution for opening the rear doors, whose handles are hidden in the frames.
The new León also features several powerful elements, FSI technology, DSG, four engines delivering over 100 hp, more agile and sporty new chassis, electro-mechanical steering, six airbags as standard (driver, passenger, and front and head sidebags) which can be supplemented with the rear sidebags, ABS, TCS, and an evolved ESP with a new enhanced braking system.
The model is equipped with new components to make driving safer and more comfortable, such as the dual xenon headlights, the light sensor, the tyre pressure sensor, and the all-new rain sensor.
The new León is 4,315 mm long, 1,768 mm wide, and 1,458 mm high. The 2,578 mm wheelbase is also particularly noteworthy, especially as it is 67 mm longer than that of its predecessor.
There are four engines available, consisting of two petrol and two diesel versions: the 102 hp (75 kW) 1.6, the 150 hp (119 kW) 2.0 FSI, the 105 hp (77 kW) 1.9 TDI and the 140 hp (103 kW) 2.0 TDI.
Altea and Toledo: more versatile and functional
Sliding the rear seats longitudinally adds to the versatility and functionality of the Altea and the Toledo, and increases boot capacity to up to 510 litres in the Altea and 601 litres in the Toledo, the first saloon with a modular interior.
At the same time, the Altea is introducing the new “Hot” version, while the Toledo is presenting the new “Magnus” version. Moreover, both models incorporate new features: dual xenon headlights, light sensor, tyre pressure sensor, new rain sensor, and central locking ignition key with another button exclusively for the boot.
The Ibiza also boasts a new feature: the Formula Sport finish, which can be combined with 100 hp 1.4 and 100 hp 1.9 TDI engines. Such equipment, which replaces the Sport finish, features standard 16-inch alloy rims, honeycomb shaped front radiator grille, MP3 CD player, and silver coloured clock layer and air diffuser controls.
All these innovations will make a spectacular appearance at the SEAT stand at the 2005 Barcelona Motorshow, open to the public from 7th - 15th May.
[source: seat.com]
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