Another model on the Volkswagen Group’s new front- and all-wheel drive MQB architecture is set to be released: SEAT says it will reveal a shorter yet roomier León at the Paris show in September.
As well as the shift away from the trend for ever larger cars in the European C segment, the new León breaks from the norm by adding body styles. A five-door hatchback only for its first two generations, the new car will be joined by three-door and wagon body styles in 2013.
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The five-door hatchback is due to reach dealerships in European markets by the end of 2012, with sales in Mexico and China to follow next year.
The new car will be manufactured at SEAT’s Martorell plant near Barcelona but production is expected to be added at the FAW Volkswagen’s forthcoming Foshan plant in China from 2013.
The car itself is up to 90kg lighter version-for-version, while the wheelbase has been extended ‘by almost 6cm’ according to a company statement. The car’s length is given as 4.26cm which is said to be ‘around 5cm shorter’ than the current model. At 380 litres, the boot’s capacity is up by 40l.
There will be an extensive range of engines, including a 105PS 1.6 TDI. Fitted with start/stop, this engine is said to have an average fuel consumption of 74.3 mpg and a CO2 figure of 99g/km. Depending on the engine, there will be five- or six-speed manual transmissions as well as six- or seven-speed DSG (dual clutch) automatics.
Elsewhere on the technical front, there is a particularly interesting aspect of the new MQB platform. The car features a MacPherson strut front axle with sub-frame, while the rear uses torsion beam suspension for engines up to 150PS but for more powerful variants, there is a multi-link construction.
Finally, the launch of the new León sees the brand’s logo restyled. The new badge appears on the car’s grille, rear and steering wheel. It will be gradually introduced across the SEAT model range.
Author: Glenn Brooks
