SEAT has unveiled the all-new Leon, adding connectivity, electrified powertrains, automated safety systems in a car designed, developed and built at its facilities in Martorell, Barcelona.

“The SEAT Leon has been improving generation after generation being able to conquer new customers. In 2019, the Leon was the best-selling car for SEAT with more than 150,900 vehicles delivered, as well as being the best-selling car in Spain during the past five years,” said SEAT’s Executive Vice-president for Sales and marketing and CUPRA CEO, Wayne Griffiths. “We have now created the best Leon ever. The new Leon has been designed keeping the “created in Barcelona” spirit and at the same time being the safest, most connected and with the widest range of engines the brand has ever seen. We believe we have all the ingredients to make of the new Leon a great choice not only for private customers but also for corporate fleets.”

SEAT presents the new Leon as the brand’s first fully-connected vehicle. Full Link offers seamless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay connections. Away from the vehicle, users can access their vehicle’s data remotely via SEAT CONNECT as well as manage the battery charging and control the electronic air conditioning (Plug-in Hybrid models only).

The all-new SEAT Leon also features Car2X connectivity – a cloud-based technology that enables drivers to receive advanced warning on the status of upcoming traffic lights or an incident on a motorway further up the road, or whether traffic lights are about to turn from green to red, with traffic information appearing in real time on screen.

A suite of powertrain technology choices is available; petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI), mild-hybrid (eTSI), and plug-in hybrid (eHybrid).

Trim levels

Six individual trims are available – SE, SE Dynamic, FR, FR Sport, Xcellence or Xcellence Lux.

As part of SEAT’s easymove strategy, customers need only choose the trim level, engine and colour on the online configurator. Each has its own unique equipment and all feature metallic paint as standard.

Seven colours are available on Leon: two solid (Candy White and Pure Red) and five metallic (Nevada White, Midnight Black, Desire Red, Mystery Blue and Magnetic Grey).

All vehicles in the range (SE) benefit from ‘Kessy Go’ keyless start, 2 x USB points in the front, LED headlight technology with automatic high beam, electric and heated side mirrors, electronic parking brake, an eight-inch infotainment system, cloth upholstery, leather steering wheel and gear stick, and SEAT Connect technology as standard. The vehicle rides on Design 16-inch alloy wheels.

SE Dynamic upgrades the infotainment to the SEAT Digital Cockpit with Navi, complete with 10-inch infotainment screen and 10.25-inch digital driver binnacle, Park Assist (front and rear sensors), tinted rear side windows, as well as larger Dynamic 17-inch alloy wheels.

The sportier FR trim level adds a host of additional elements both inside and out, on top of the SE Dynamic trim.

Sporty front and rear bumpers, Dynamic 17-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust pipes and a unique suspension set-up (15mm lower ride height than other trims) ensure FR models stand out from the crowd visually and aurally.

Inside the cabin, FR includes upholstery stitching that matches the exterior colour, a leather multifunction steering wheel, three-zone air conditioning, wireless charging tray in the front and two additional USB points in the rear.

The FR trim also brings full-LED technology to the rear of the vehicle including the coast-to-coast light and LED dynamic indicators (front and rear), and illuminated front and rear aluminium door plates.

FR Sport is also available, adding further technology. Customers benefit from a Winter Pack, a selection of features ideal for cold mornings: heated front seats, heated steering wheel and heated windscreen washers. A unique black interior roof lining, microsuede cloth upholstery, the wraparound ambient lighting technology and exclusive Performance 18-inch Machined alloy wheels complete the look.

Xcellence trim level brings a different aesthetic, with the exterior adding unique bumpers, a hot-stamped Diamond grille, chrome-framed side windows and Dynamic 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the key surfaces are finished in microsuede cloth and include the wraparound ambient lighting technology, while the driver benefits from Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control technology as well as the Winter Pack.

Xcellence Lux adds leather upholstery and Performance 18-inch Machined alloy wheels to help it stand out from the crowd.

All models come with a range of safety technologies as standard: six airbags, seatbelt reminders, Electronic Stability Control and Tyre Pressure Warning System.

Customers can option an electric panoramic sunroof and either a fixed or electric towing hook on all trims.

Connectivity

At the heart of the Leon’s infotainment system is the SEAT Digital Cockpit, which brings together a high-resolution 10.25-inch fully-customisable driver instrument cluster and infotainment system. The standard media system features an 8.25-inch screen with smartphone audio compatibility. The larger 10-inch screen Navi system (SE Dynamic upwards) offers Online Connectivity, 3D connected navigation, Retina display capability and natural voice control as well as gesture recognition to simplify user interaction.

In the all-new Leon, a new voice recognition system enables a natural understanding of language in order to allow the user to interact with the infotainment system using natural commands, making corrections and referencing previous commands. It is also possible to download and integrate smartservices, which will connect with your account and means you will always stay in touch with your smart appliances.

With the Full Link system, customers are able to seamlessly connect their smartphones and access their digital lives no matter what device they use – either wireless Apple CarPlay (based on Bluetooth or WLAN) or Android Auto using a cabled connection.

The Full Link system is the gateway to connectivity, allowing users to connect their mobile devices to the vehicle’s infotainment system and access to get directions (via Apple Maps), make calls with access to your full contact list, send and receive messages, and listen to your music playlists. Full Link can be accessed via the infotainment system or the multifunction steering wheel.

Leon is also now available with wireless phone charging within the lower centre console, to ensure your (compatible) device remains charged ready for the next part of your journey.

Online Connecitvity via the embedded SIM (eSIM) means that the all-new SEAT Leon will never lose its connection to the digital world and allows users access to the latest infotainment apps, as well as be able to offer new digital products and services throughout its lifetime.

The built-in eSIM delivers the eCall service, which directly contacts emergency services should an incident occur, adding yet another level of safety to the vehicle. If an eCall is triggered, vital data is sent to the emergency services also, including position (based on GPS data), engine type, and number of passengers, making it easier for them to assist.

Online Connectivity also allows some infotainment functions to use real time information from the cloud, enhancing the traditional navigation system. Real-time traffic information will re-route the navigation if there is an incident ahead, as well as informing the driver of the location, opening times and current prices of both car parks and fuel stations. For those who don’t want to be limited to the radio they listen to, new Leon adds online radio into the cabin, allowing the customer to listen to any online radio station they choose, even if it’s from a different country.

The all-new SEAT Leon also features Car2X connectivity – a cloud-based technology that enables drivers to receive advanced warning on the status of upcoming traffic lights or an incident on a motorway further up the road, with traffic information appearing in real time on screen.

The next level of connectivity is being made available to Leon customers with the introduction of the SEAT Connect app. Downloadable to your smart device, it gives remote control to a range of functions that will maximise ownership enjoyment and improve safety.

From the SEAT Connect app, users can remotely access driving data of previous journeys and remaining range, parking position, lock and unlock the doors, set up speed alerts so you can be warned if someone using your vehicles is driving too fast, be alerted if your vehicle has been stolen, or activate the horn and turn signals to find the car more easily in a crowded car park.

In Plug-in Hybrid variants, the driver can review and manage the charging process via the e-Manager, prepare the cabin for a journey by controlling the electronic air conditioning, as well as manage departure times all from the smartphone app.

The number of in-car and online services will grow through the life of the vehicle as the digital eco-system expands, enhancing user experience.

Powertrains

The new-generation car is available in petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI), mild-hybrid (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) units, each designed to deliver the highest levels of performance and driveability.

The engines can be mated to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG (direct shift gearbox) transmission.

Models that use the DSG automatic transmission now benefit from shift-by-wire technology. The system is designed so that the gear selector is no longer mechanically connected to the gearbox, instead using electronic signals to indicate a shift. This not only enhances efficiency but also offers a more engaging drive.

In FR and FR Sport models, in addition to the driving mode presets – Eco, Normal and Sport – drivers can use a sliding scale of changes to adapt the all-new SEAT Leon to their exact requirements, offering a very wide number of possibilities.

Diesel (TDI)

The new SEAT Leon benefits from two diesel powertrain options, both 2.0 litre TDI units.

Both the five-door and Estate variants are available with either outputs of 113 bhp or 148 bhp and a six-speed manual transmission.

The diesel engine introduces a new Selective Catalytic Reduction system that includes dual AdBlue injectors to significantly reduce NOx emissions compared to previous generation diesel engines. The result is a range of diesel engines that meet the strict requirement of the latest emissions standards.

Mild Hybrid (eTSI)

The all-new SEAT Leon can also be specified with mild hybrid technology (eTSI), further enhancing efficiency. The system, which is available with the 1.0 TSI 108 bhp and the 1.5 litre TSI 148 bhp petrol units, mates 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to the combustion engine.

The technology uses a 48V starter-generator and lithium-ion battery enabling the vehicle to coast (no pedal input from the driver) with the engine switched off (while retaining all key electric functions, such as power steering), harvest energy under deceleration and provide electrical torque assistance during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid (eHybrid)

SEAT will also expand its line-up of electrified vehicles with a plug-in hybrid electric version of the Leon. A 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine electric motor, 13kWh lithium-ion battery pack and six-speed DSG transmission combine to produce 150kW/201 bhp of power and is recharged via a 3.6kW AC inlet. New Leon can be fully charged from 0 per cent in less than 3.5 hours.

The plug-in hybrid version also allows users to driver Leon via electric power only, emitting no emissions and giving a usable range of 60km (38 miles).

The plug-in hybrid version will be offered on both the five-door and Estate models.

Safety: introducing highly-developed assistance systems

SEAT says the new Leon is the safest vehicle the brand has ever developed; designed to see more of its surroundings and react to obstacles on the road or sudden movements by other drivers thanks to the integration of a suite of updated and completely new advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

“The all-new SEAT Leon has been designed and developed to be the most innovative product the brand ever made – besides its online connectivity it also offers state-of-the-art driving assistance systems. It inspires passion and awakens something inside people when they look at it, you just have to watch and let the vehicle convey its essence,” said Axel Andorff, Executive Vice-president for Research and Development at SEAT. “It is all about touching and feeling the new Leon.”

The new ADAS technologies continually sense the environment to offer the optimum protection no matter what scenario occurs when you’re behind the wheel.

The all-new SEAT Leon brings together predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Emergency Assist 3.0 to protect the vehicle and its occupants while driving or stationary.

Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses feeds from GPS data delivered from the navigation system and input from the front-mounted camera and Traffic Sign Recognition, allowing it to proactively amend the cruise speed depending on the road layout ahead – bends, roundabouts, junctions, changes in speed limits and built-up areas. This reduces the requirement for driver input and mitigates against sudden speed changes and manoeuvres.

To maintain safety and meet legal requirements, the driver must continually monitor the system and their surroundings, keeping at least one hand on the steering wheel. If the vehicle senses that the driver has taken both hands off the wheel for more than 15 seconds, they will receive audible and visual warnings. A braking jolt can be given. If the driver continues to fail to respond, the Emergency Assist 3.0 system can bring the Leon to a complete stop.