New SEAT Le??????????????????n - In Depth

Press Release

Engines: New 2.0 TFSI engine generating 185 hp

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.

Scheduled for launch before the end of this year, 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 2.0 TFSI powerplant will spearhead the León engine range with its rated power output of 185 hp (136 kW). 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 average fuel consumption figures of 8.1 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 194 g/km under the same conditions. 

Petrol engines. The entry-level engine in the range is a four-cylinder 1.6-litre unit with a system of indirect electronic multipoint injection developing a rated output of 102 hp (75 kW) and generating a peak torque of 148 Nm. Thanks to the lightweight design of its cylinder block, which is made from aluminium and weighs just 17.2 kilograms, this engine offers excellent performance and fuel consumption figures. Driven by the 102 hp 1.6 unit, the new León delivers exceptional performance for the engine's power category.

The other petrol-powered option is the two-litre unit that is also fired by FSI direct injection technology. It is capable of producing 150 horsepower, with torque peaking at 200 Nm. The engine's characteristics and power translate into outstanding on-road performance, yet the FSI system manages to keep fuel consumption surprisingly low for such a high-powered engine.

Diesel engines. The two-litre TDI unit has evolved from the 1.9-litre engines. Thanks to a slight increase in cylinder capacity, a switch to cylinder heads with four-valve technology as well as the use of pump-injector direct injection in unison with a variable-nozzle turbine, the drive unit delivers 140 horsepower and, even more importantly, a sensational 320 Nm of peak torque. An even more economical drive is available by opting for the 1.9 TDI unit, which now produces 105 horsepower courtesy of its new electronic management. Peak torque is 250 Nm. As with the two-litre power unit, this engine also deploys a direct injection system featuring pump-injector units along with a variable-nozzle turbine and intercooler.

Five-speed and six-speed gearboxes with sporty ratios. A wide choice of transmissions is available. The 1.6 petrol and 1.9 TDI entry-level engines are coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox, while the three most powerful models (2.0 TFSI, 2.0 FSI and 2.0 TDI) are partnered by a six-speed gear change.

The 2.0 FSI offers a choice of either a manual gearbox or a conventional automatic gearbox, and the 2.0 TDI can be ordered with either an automatic gearbox with latest-generation DSG technology or a traditional manual gearbox. Both automatic gearboxes include the sequential Tiptronic function.

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.

Performance and fuel consumption figures for the new SEAT León petrol-engined models

* Official minimum consumption

Performance and fuel consumption figures for the new SEAT León diesel-engined models

* Official minimum consumption

Technology: Simple, innovative solutions

The new León boasts a host of solutions, all of which share two things in common – simplicity and innovation. The new-design handles for the rear doors, the use of sophisticated materials, the inclusion of Bluetooth technology and the availability of two navigation systems are all fine examples of this.

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.

Hands-free 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.

Choice of two information centres. The new León will offer the option 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 an 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.