The most powerful and sportiest version of the new León is here. This version contains the new 2.0 TFSI engine developing 185 hp (136 kW), positioning it at the top of the León range. Like the rest of the León range, this new model has a body that neatly blends the sporty image of a stunning coupé with five-door practicality. Out of all of the new generation models from SEAT, it is the new León which comes closest to expressing the very ultimate in sportiness and innovative design, thereby reinforcing SEAT’s own intrinsic values within the Audi brand group.
The body of the new León is imbued with a sense of sporty elegance. The expressive styling of the headlamps and the alluring lines of the bonnet, with a large radiator grille at the front, combine perfectly with the distinctive wheel arches. These form the starting point for the Dynamic Line that slopes down the flanks of the car to the rear wheels.
The coupé look stems from the roof line that curves downwards towards the rear and is emphasised by the apparent absence of rear door handles. The car’s dynamic image is further enhanced by the repositioning of the door mirrors, which are now attached directly to the door’s panelling.
The most powerful engine of the new generation
The new 2.0 TFSI engine developing 185 hp (136 kW) is the most powerful model in the León range. This power unit, which is combined with a six-speed gearbox, has a peak torque of 270 Nm, which is on tap from 1,800 up to 5,000 rpm, giving the León a top speed in excess of 220 km/h.
The new four-cylinder, 2.0-litre power unit with FSI direct injection technology is supercharged by a turbocharger that forms a single unit together with the exhaust manifold. Additional features include an intake system with continuously variable distribution and internal exhaust-gas recirculation.
As well as the new engine developing 185 hp, the new León offers four other options, two petrol and two diesel powerplants, which all comply with Euro IV emissions standards.
In addition, the new León 2.0 TFSI comes exclusively with the Sport-up trim line, a complete equipment package which includes as standard, amongst other things, 17-inch alloy wheels, 225/45 tyres, sports suspension and sports seats and exclusive interior styling.
As for active safety, this version also includes as standard an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake power distribution, TCS traction control system and ESP Electronic Stability Program.
In the new SEAT León, the ESP now has various new features. Thus, the Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) and EBA Emergency Brake Assistance are now joined by a series of new systems, including Overboost. This enables maximum braking power to be delivered even when the discs are very hot, BSW cleans the brake discs regularly whenever the windscreen wipers are switched on, and Driver Steering Recommendation helps to keep the vehicle on the correct course in critical handling situations.
As for passive safety features, the new León is the first ever model from SEAT to offer up to eight airbags. Six of these are standard (driver, passenger, two curtain and two front side airbags). And, as optional extras, this SEAT model offers side airbags in the rear.
All five seats are equipped with three-point seat belts as standard. The seats in the front also include pre-tensioners and belt force limiters. The outer seats in the rear have belt force limiters and feature Isofix anchorage points for attaching child seats.
DESIGN: Five-door coupé
The new León has become the real-life embodiment of the Salsa concept car and its body blends the sporty image of a coupé with five-door practicality.
The coupé look is created by the steeply raked windscreen and roof line that curves downwards towards the rear. The sporty image is further emphasised by the impression of no rear doors, these having been concealed out of sight in the doors’ own frames. The sporty picture is completed by the door mirrors which are attached directly to the door panelling.
Dynamic design and compact format are two of the overriding features of the new León. At the front end, it is the expressive styling of the graceful headlamps with teardrop-shape design and integrated turn signal lamps that really stand out. Presiding at the head of the alluringly designed bonnet is a large radiator grille.
Along the sides there is a feature that is already characteristic of most SEAT models, the Dynamic Line, which sweeps around the front wheel arches and slopes down the flanks of the body before finishing at the rear wheels.
This model, which is the most powerful one in the new León range, is identical on each side of the exterior, since under each indicator are the letters “TFSI”, with the “T” in silver and “FSI” in red.
The rear end of the body is dominated by the large hatch, which is capped by a discreet spoiler at the top and the third brake light. The extremely stylish, elongated rear light clusters slice into the hatch from both sides. The large SEAT “S” symbol, which is situated in the centre of the rear hatch level with the rear lights, doubles as the handle for opening the boot, as usual on SEAT models.
A singular design feature of this model is the innovative windscreen wiper system with a new vertical park position for the wiper blades running parallel to the A-pillars. The wipers on the new León remain fully visible to show off a more stylised design.
And a coupé for five
The fact that the dynamic design of the exterior has been successfully transferred into the interior of the new León is immediately confirmed. Its creators paid a great deal of attention to delivering the high level of practicality promised by the car’s five-door format. As a result, the interior offers plenty of room and comfort for up to five passengers.
The passenger compartment of the new León offers exemplary levels of spaciousness. For example, the height measured from the seat cushion base to the roof is 1,000 mm in the front and 963 mm in the rear. The “comfort” dimension, which measures the distance from the pedals to the rear seat backrest: a distance of 1,929 mm. In the new León this represents an increase of 88 mm compared to the previous model and a significant increase in knee room in the rear, with an extra 59 mm of space now available.
Specially designed for the new SEAT León, the dashboard has a distinctly sporty look. Composed of simple, clean-cut lines, it has been built exclusively from high-grade materials and its surfaces have a soft-touch finish. The instrument cluster is neatly sheltered by the curved instrument shroud arching over it. The centre console has been given a more prominent appearance courtesy of its ample dimensions and refined styling while a generously proportioned glove compartment can be found on the front passenger side.
All efforts have been made to simplify the driver’s task. Consequently, the instrument cluster is now made up of three large, black-backed dials which are slightly oval-shaped. The centre one houses the rev counter, the right-hand dial the speedometer. On the left hand side is the multifunction screen which is able to flash up information for the navigation system, the car phone, the trip computer, the audio system, the digital clock, the vehicle’s status, as well as automatic gearshift information and functions for system configuration and personal settings.
The leather steering wheel can be adjusted for height and reach, with controls for operating just the audio system or both the audio system and the car phone.
The front seats offer maximum lateral support and a superior level of comfort. Furthermore, the backrest is now 9% higher than before, and the base of the driver’s seat houses a stowage compartment with two opening positions and a crumple system to prevent breakages. The space below the front passenger seat is reserved for the CD changer.
The rear bench seat has been designed to accommodate three passengers, with an asymmetric split-folding design and has been manufactured using a special cold-foaming technique that offers superior seating comfort. The bench seat has Isofix anchorage points located in the join between it and the backrest to allow child seats to be attached more easily.
And inside the new León, the boot is not to be forgotten. Capacity has increased, by one litre compared to the outgoing model, now producing 341 litres of luggage space. More importantly, its design allows far more efficient use to be made of the space available. With the rear seat backrest folded completely flat, the available boot space expands to 1,166 litres.
ENGINE: The most powerful
The new León will showcase the new 185 hp (136 kW) 2.0 TFSI engine which is set to make it the most powerful and sportiest model in the new generation of SEAT products.
The new four-cylinder, 2.0-litre power unit with FSI direct injection technology is supercharged by a turbocharger that forms a single unit together with the exhaust manifold. Additional features include an intake system with continuously variable distribution and internal exhaust-gas recirculation.
The new 2.0 TFSI engine developing 185 hp (136 kW) is the most powerful model in the León range. The engine’s tremendous peak torque of 270 Nm is on tap between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm, which makes for excellent in-gear acceleration. As a result, the car accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h in just 7.5 seconds in fifth gear and in 9.6 seconds in sixth.
With this engine under the bonnet, the León reaches a top speed of 221 km/h, sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and requires just 28.4 seconds to complete 1000 metres from a standing start. Whilst returning combined fuel consumption figures of 8.1 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 194 g/km under the same conditions.
An ultra-sporty sound
The sportiness of the new León cannot just be felt, it can be heard too. The engine sound is an identifying feature of a model’s sporty character. In the case of the new León, the exhaust sound has been entrusted to SEAT Sound, a system that blends a balanced sound at high engine speeds with a sonorous, sporty sound at low revs. The resulting acoustic sensation can be experienced both inside and outside the car. The perception of the sporty sound and engine power has been accentuated when: pulling away from standstill, manoeuvring at low speeds and accelerating or braking when fully laden at low rev speeds.
The level of exhaust sound amplification gradually reduces until it ceases altogether above 2,500 rpm, ensuring that it remains imperceptible to the vehicle’s occupants at higher rev speeds and does not become an irritation on long journeys so that travel comfort is not impaired in any way.
CHASSIS: An effective response
As well as a powerful engine, a sports model must have a chassis that is capable of taking this power on board and expressing it in driving that is fast, safe, accurate and agile.
This is why optimising the dynamic performance of the new León was a matter of overriding importance for the engineers at SEAT, which is the reason why they have once again opted for the renowned Agile Chassis developed by SEAT’s own Technical Centre. Its integration into the new León required a meticulous fine-tuning process to further refine it compared to the version already featured in some of the brand’s other models.
Each and every element that makes up part of the Agile Chassis has been revised and modified. From the front and rear suspension through to the brakes, the steering through to the type of tyres and wheels, and the development of a new concept for the fuel tank through to the new pedal arrangement.
The independent front suspension with McPherson struts is mounted on a new aluminium sub-chassis. Agility has been enhanced as a result of the high centre of balance and an anti-roll bar with a diameter of 23.6 mm which has been made more effective by reducing the distance from the anchoring point to the centre of the wheel.
As for the rear suspension, it incorporates an independent, four-arm multilink axle, which enables the longitudinal dynamics (comfort) to be handled completely separately from the lateral dynamics (agility). The result is an excellent standard of ride comfort combined with advanced handling agility.
Modification work to the car’s steering has also been undertaken. The new steering system is the EPS Electrical Power Steering system whose intelligent electro-mechanical design holds an array of benefits. Power assistance is varied to match the vehicle’s speed and the steering wheel angle, bestowing the vehicle with extremely precise handling and outstanding responsiveness to the driver’s commands.
Fitted as standard, the León TFSI already has a larger brake system than the rest of the models in the range. It comprises 312 x 25 mm ventilated disc brakes at the front and 286 x 12 solid disc brakes at the rear, 17-inch alloy wheels measuring 7J x 17, shod with 225/45 tyres.
SAFETY: Up to eight airbags
The new SEAT León 2.0 TFSI can carry up to eight airbags. Every model rolls off the production line with six airbags as standard: driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags in the front and two curtain airbags. These can then be supplemented by the new optional side airbags for the rear, which are available for the first time in a SEAT model.
The front passenger airbag may be deactivated by turning a lock inside the glove compartment using the ignition key. Upon deactivation an indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster showing that the airbag is not operational. It is important to stress, however, that all of the remaining airbags, including the driver’s airbag, the side airbags (front and rear) and the curtain airbags, remain active after the front passenger airbag has been deactivated.
All seats in the vehicle are equipped with three-point seat belts as standard, with the seats in the front also including pre-tensioners and belt force limiters, and the outer seats in the rear benefiting from dynamic belts including belt force limiters, with the vehicle’s own centre rear seat being designed to function as a force limiter.
Pressure sensors have been integrated into the front doors to shorten the response time in the case of side-on collisions. These sensors combine with the acceleration sensors in the rear wheel arches and the airbag control unit situated in the transmission tunnel to detect an impact from the side within just seven milliseconds. In the case of a collision, the airbag control unit triggers the seat belts and airbags as appropriate, as well as releasing the vehicle’s central locking, shutting off the fuel pump and turning on the hazard warning lights and courtesy lights.
Latest-generation ESP
Several key innovations have been incorporated into the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). The EDL Electronic Differential Lock, EBA Emergency Brake Assistance and O-HBV hydraulic pressure booster (for automatic models only) are now joined by a series of new systems:
- Overboost, which increases brake pressure without any notable change in the force that the driver has to apply the brake pedal when the system temperature far exceeds normal operating temperatures.
- BSW, which cleans the brake discs regularly whenever the windscreen wipers are switched on.
- Driver Steering Recommendation, which helps to keep the vehicle on the correct course in critical handling situations.
- TSP (Trailer Stability Program), a system which will become available in the future.
The Traction Control System (TCS) now includes an anti-lock braking system with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) and ASR wheel-slip regulation.
The most noteworthy of these safety systems is Driver Steering Recommendation. When the ESP control unit detects the vehicle has entered an unstable situation caused by oversteer, it transmits a signal instructing the steering system’s electric motor to turn the steering wheel in the correct, direction. The driver senses this as a recommendation, prompting him or her to turn the steering wheel in the recommended direction and stabilise the vehicle. When driving over a dry, asphalted road, the driver barely notices this steering prompt. The system proves most effective when driving along roads offering differing levels of grip on each side of the car, e.g. a surface that is dry on one side and wet on the other.
The principal benefits of ESP featuring Driver Steering Recommendation are improved stability, less directional deviation and a reduction in the vehicle’s stopping distance of between 5 and 10 percent. However, the task of this function is merely to recommend a steering manoeuvre to the driver in critical driving situations. This function does not steer the vehicle for the driver, the driver is responsible for controlling the vehicle’s steering at all times.
Safety for children and pedestrians
The new León excels when it comes to child safety. SEAT has worked closely with child seat manufacturers to ensure that the child seat and car fuse together to form an integral unit that guarantees the highest possible level of protection for the smallest members of the family.
Furthermore, the front end of the new León has been specially designed to minimise the injuries caused to pedestrians in a collision. The bonnet is capable of absorbing energy in a carefully controlled manner without losing any of its static or dynamic strength. Its hinge is collapsible to further increase deformation capacity during the impact. In addition to this, the nose of the car crumples in such a way as to minimise the damage caused to the tibia, fibula, knees and hips, without increasing the costs for repairing the car following head-on collisions at low speed.
TECHNOLOGY: Innovative solutions
The new León boasts a variety of solutions: the new-design handles for the rear doors, sophisticated materials, Bluetooth technology, two navigation systems, etc.
Invisible door handles. The location and operation of the rear door handles are a prime example of the practical solutions which have been incorporated into the new León. The handles are now concealed in the rear door frame, where they can each be accessed inside a recess whose polycarbonate surround gives the design of the C-pillar a lighter feel.
Innovative materials. The polycarbonate material, which also features in the headlamp units and the rear light clusters, is another of the innovations showcased in the new León. Apart from providing an appealing design, this material also offers a host of benefits compared to glass: it can be moulded into more complex forms, it is 50% lighter and it is less likely to shatter.
Wireless communication. The Bluetooth phone system allows the driver to link up their mobile phone with the vehicle’s networking by means of a radio frequency connection and then operate the phone in hands-free mode using the steering wheel’s buttons and multifunction control lever. The buttons on the steering wheel can be used to make, accept or reject phone calls, hang up at the end of a call and activate the voice-operated control system. The multifunction control lever is used to navigate through the address book, which appears in the instrument cluster’s display, and to dial numbers. The inclusion of Bluetooth technology allows the system to be used without any need for a physical connection between the vehicle and the mobile phone, which may be placed anywhere inside the vehicle.
Two navigation systems. Like the rest of the range, the new León TFSI offers the choice of two navigation systems, one with a monochrome screen and the other with a colour screen. System features common to both units include the tuner (AM/FM waveband selector, presets, etc.), information (for calling up the last navigation instructions and detailed information on the current traffic situation), CD (for playing a CD in the unit’s CD player or from a CD changer), navigation (navigation settings, route selection, route options, etc.), TMC traffic information (requiring a CD-ROM for dynamic navigation and a TMC broadcasting station), plus access to the system settings menu (brightness, preset list, etc.). The audio unit incorporating the navigation system with monochrome screen is able to play both conventional CDs and CDs in MP3 format.
The distinguishing features of the top-of-the-range dynamic navigation system are its large 6.5″ TFT colour screen (16:9 format) and the route guidance functions using maps and/or pictograms displayed on the screen.
In addition to the spoken commands, the navigation instructions of both systems can also be depicted visually in the navigation system’s screen.
Bi-xenon headlamps. The projector-beam headlamps with bi-xenon functionality offer the benefits of xenon technology for both low and high beam. The headlamp units also include a facility for automatic and dynamic headlamp range adjustment. Using two sensors and an electronic computer unit, the position of the headlamp beams can be adapted automatically and dynamically, to take account of both the vehicle load as well as acceleration and braking. This dynamic function enhances safety when accelerating or braking sharply.
Headlamp sensor. Switches the headlamps on and off automatically depending on the ambient light levels. This feature truly comes into its own when driving along roads which lead through a succession of tunnels.
Rain sensor. The new León is premiering a rain sensor, which is located at the top of the windscreen on the front passenger side. The diminutive dimensions of this component and its positioning in the tinted zone of the windscreen mean that it is barely noticeable.
Parking aid sensor. A rear-mounted parking aid sensor is also to be found amongst the equipment features offered by the new León. While the model’s highly advanced electronics repertoire is rounded off by features such as an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control, a trip computer and the “Coming Home” function.
Tyre-pressure control. A further new feature in the new León is the system for monitoring the tyre pressure level. If the system detects a loss of pressure in one of the tyres it warns the driver by triggering a warning lamp in the instrument cluster. Once the tyre pressure has been corrected, a button in the transmission tunnel must be pressed so that the control unit can reinitialise, i.e. reset, the system.
Speed warning system. The new León incorporates a speed warning system which can be programmed by the driver in the instrument cluster by using the trip computer controls. If the vehicle’s speed exceeds the speed programmed the system will issue an acoustic and visual warning to the driver. In the case of a dot-matrix display, this visual warning can appear in the form of a message.
EQUIPMENT: Exclusively in Sport-up
The new León 2.0 TFSI will be sold in combination with the sportiest trim line of the model, the Sport-up. Below are details of the main standard features offered by this exclusive equipment package.
EXTERIOR
- Front fog lights integrated in the bumper grille
- Bumpers, side mouldings and door handles in body-colour
- Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, with parking position and in body-colour
- Visible double exhaust
- Identification consisting of the letters “TFSI” (the “T” in silver and “FSI” in red) on each side below the indicators
INTERIOR
- Steering wheel adjustable for height and reach
- Leather steering wheel and gear knob
- Double-tone horn
- “Coming Home” function
- Two 12 V power sockets
ELECTRICS
- Front and rear electric windows
- Radio/CD unit with six speakers
- Audio controls in steering wheel and two additional speakers
- Controlled central locking incl. folding key with three buttons
- (with extra dedicated button for unlocking the boot)
SEATS AND UPHOLSTERY
- Sports seats
- Height-adjustable driver’s seat
- Split-folding (1/3-2/3) rear seat backrest
PRACTICALITIES AND MECHANICS
- Power steering
- Height-adjustable headlamps
SAFETY
- ABS, TCS and ESP incl. EBA
- Driver and front passenger airbags
- Side airbags in the front
- Curtain airbag
- Three-point seat belts on all five seats
- Front and rear outer seats with force limiter
- Isofix anchorage points
- Volumetric alarm
- Sports suspension
CLIMATE CONTROL
- Twin-zone climate control (driver / passenger)
INSTRUMENTS
- Trip computer
- Cruise control
- Tyre pressure control.
WHEELS AND TYRES
- 17″ light-alloy wheels with five-spoke design
- 225/45 tyres
- Sports suspension
Optional equipment
The comprehensive standard specification can be added to by selecting from the wide range of optional extras.
- Radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility and steering-wheel controls
- Bluetooth technology and radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility
- 6-disc CD changer fitted underneath front passenger seat
- Navigation system with monochrome screen (including radio with MP3 player)
- Dynamic navigation system with 6.5
- colour screen and Bluetooth technology
- Rain sensor with auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Rear-mounted acoustic parking sensor
- Electrically-operated glass sunroof with anti-trap facility
- Bi-xenon headlamps
- Heated windscreen washer nozzles and headlamp cleaning nozzles
- Heated seats
- Heated front windscreen
- Trailer towing pre-fittings and 12V power socket in the boot
- Rear side airbags
- Dark-tinted windows
- Metallic paintwork
- Emergency spare wheel
[source: seat.com]
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