Press Release
Page 1 – Intro
Page 2 – Design
Page 3 – Engine
Page 4 – Chassis
Page 5 – Equipment
CHASSIS
Tailor-made by SEAT
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Suspension settings adapted to harness the increase in performance
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Oversized brakes with extra braking power
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Full complement of electronic aids for safer motoring
The high performance delivered by the SEAT Le??????????????????n FR engines demands a chassis that is capable of handling the tougher demands. The basic independent suspension concept is the same ??????????????????????????????????????? McPherson struts at the front with bottom wishbone and a multi-link rear axle ??????????????????????????????????????? but the front springs have been made around 12% firmer. The shock absorbers have also been specially tuned for the FR version. As for the stabiliser bars, the one at the front measures 23.6 millimetres across and the rear stabiliser bar 21.7 millimetres.
Another important aspect is the brakes. To take account of the higher demands in terms of power output, they have been increased in size from the 15" used for the remaining Le??????????????????n models to 16". The ventilated discs at the front wheels measure 312 millimetres across and the solid discs at the rear 286 millimetres (as compared to 280 millimetres and 255 millimetres respectively in other Le??????????????????n models).
As you would expect, drivers of the Le??????????????????n FR will have the peace of mind offered by the latest-generation ABS with electronic braking force distribution. In addition to this, however, the Le??????????????????n FR also comes equipped with the ESP Electronic Stability Program (can be deactivated) including EBA Emergency Brake Assistance, TCS traction control, plus an array of further functions to aid the driver. These include:
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Overboost, which increases brake pressure without any notable change in the force that the driver has to apply at the brake pedal when the system temperature far exceeds normal operating temperatures.
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BSW, which cleans the brake discs regularly whenever the windscreen wipers are switched on.
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Driver Steering Recommendation which helps to keep the vehicle on the correct course in critical handling situations.
The most noteworthy of these systems is Driver Steering Recommendation. When the ESP control unit detects that the vehicle has entered an unstable situation caused by oversteer, it transmits a signal instructing the steering system's electric motor to automatically turn in the appropriate direction to correct the vehicle's course. The driver senses this as a steering recommendation, prompting him or her to turn the steering wheel in the direction necessary to stabilise the vehicle. When driving over a dry, asphalted road, the driver barely notices this steering prompt, such that 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, rather the driver is responsible for controlling the vehicle's steering at all times.
