The SEAT León (), also spelled Leon in some markets, is a small family car built by the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT since October 1999.ETKA It is named after the city of León (which also means "Lion" in Spanish).
The first two León generations used two differing variants of the Volkswagen Group A platform, and shared many components with other Volkswagen Group cars. The third and fourth generation use the Volkswagen Group MQB platform, also used by the Audi A3 Mk3 and Mk4, Volkswagen Golf Mk7 and Mk8 and Škoda Octavia Mk3 and Mk4.
First generation (1M; 1999)
The Mk1 SEAT León hatchback (codename Typ 1M) launched in 1999, and was produced at Martorell, with a small number of 13,401 cars assembled in Belgium. Based on the Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform, it shared components with other VW Group models such as the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, but was marketed as a sportier and cheaper variant to that car. To reinforce this image it had a fastback design inspired by the Alfa Romeo Alfasud, and used firmer suspension with wider tyres to improve handling. The dashboard was derived from that of the first-generation Audi A3, with the saloon version called the SEAT Toledo.
Non-turbo petrol engines were the 1.4-litre 16 valve with and 1.6-litre 8 valve with . The facelift replacing the 8 valve with the 16 valve unit. The sportier "León 20VT" (in the UK badged as "Cupra" and then "FR"), had a 1.8-litre Turbo with . The fastest "Cupra R" had , and later .
The original Cupra was only available in the red, yellow and black colours of the Spanish and German national flags, as a homage to these countries collaborating on this project.
In some countries there was a "Cupra 4" with a 2.8-litre VR6 delivering and four-wheel drive (4WD). This uses the same Haldex Traction system as the Volkswagen Golf 4motion.
A range of turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engines were available, including a version. Originally sold as a "Cupra 4 TDI" 4WD, it was only sold for one year in certain countries and then became 2WD. This facelift model was first badged "Cupra" in the UK, "Top Sport" in most European countries, and then "FR" everywhere. A limited number of "FR" cars were fitted with the "Cupra R" body kit and named "FR+". Lesser diesel versions were available with , and .
All engines over have a six-speed manual transmission. Rear suspension is semi-independent torsion beam, except for 4WD models fitted with multi-link independent rear suspension. All versions came with four wheel disc brakes.
In Switzerland there was an official tuner model by Abt Sportsline called "SEAT León Cupra 4 Kompressor". This version added a supercharger to the 2.8-litre VR6 producing and of torque.
Production of the Typ 1M ended in May 2006, however the appreciation for the SEAT León Cupra R Mk1 continues. In a 2010 'best hot hatchback of all time' poll conducted by Autocar, its readers voted the Cupra R at number 7.The best hot hatch ever – result http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/250361/
Awards
'Carro do Ano' (Car of the Year) award in 2001, in PortugalOs carros vencedores http://aeiou.visao.pt/carro-do-anotrofeu-volante-de-cristal=f523185 'Most Satisfactory Car of the Year 2007' in Poland, by the Polish magazine Auto Swiat
Engine choices The Typ 1M SEAT León was available with the following internal combustion engines, with all being shared with other marques of the Volkswagen Group: Enginedesignation Displacement, configuration,valvetrain, fuel system engine speed Max. torque engine speed Engine IDcode(s) Dates Petrol engines, all multi-point electronic indirect fuel injection1.4 16v1390 cc inline-4DOHC 16vat 5,000at 3,800AHW; APE;AUA; AXP; BCA11/1999 – 10/20051.61595 cc inline-4SOHC 8vat 5,600at 3,800AEH; AKL08/1999 – 10/20051.61595 cc inline-4SOHC 8vat 5,600at 3,800BFQ10/2005 – 06/20061.6 16v1598 cc inline-4DOHC 16vat 5,700at 4,500AUS; AZD;BCB06/2000 – 06/20061.8 20v1781 cc inline-4DOHC 20vat 6,000at 4,200AGN; APG11/1999 – 10/20051.8 20vTCupra1781 cc inline-4DOHC 20v Turboat 5,500at 1,950–5,000AJQ; APP;ARY; AUQ08/1999 – 10/20051.8 20vTCupra R1781 cc inline-4DOHC 20v TurboAMK05/2002 – 05/20031.8 20vTCupra R1781 cc inline-4DOHC 20v Turboat 5,900at 2,200–5,500BAM05/2003 – 06/20062.8 VR6 24vCupra 42792 cc 15° VR6DOHC 24vat 6,200at 3,400AUE; BDE10/2000 – 04/2004 Diesel engines, all direct injected1.9 SDI1896 cc inline-4 SOHC 8v,VP37 distributor-type injection pumpat 4,000at 1,800AQM06/2000 – 10/20031.9 TDI1896 cc inline-4 SOHC 8v,VP37 distributor-type injection pumpat 3,750at 1,900AGR; ALH11/1999 – 10/20051.9 TDI1896 cc inline-4 SOHC 8v,Pumpe Düse Unit Injectors (PD)at 4,000at 1,800–2,400AXR10/2005 – 06/20061.9 TDI1896 cc inline-4 SOHC 8v,VP37 distributor-type injection pumpat 4,150at 1,900AHF; ASV10/1999 – 10/20051.9 TDI1896 cc inline-4 SOHC 8v,Pumpe Düse unit injectors (PD)at 4,000at 1,900ASZ05/2003 – 06/20061.9 TDI1896 cc inline-4 SOHC 8v,Pumpe Düse unit injectors (PD)at 4,000at 1,900ARL09/2000 – 12/2005
Second generation (1P; 2005)
Factory production of the second generation León, internal codename Typ 1P, commenced in May 2005. Similar in design to the SEAT Altea that launched a year earlier, it debuted modern Alfa Romeo like design cues and vertically parked wipers. Volkswagen's Driver Steering Recommendation (DSR) was available as an option.
The Mk2 León used the new 16 valve 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine with . In some markets (e.g. Greece, Romania and Italy), the base León used the older 1.4-litre MPI engine producing . Sportier FR badged variants began with the 2.0-litre Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) and the popular 2.0-litre Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine. Both were fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, with a six-speed or seven-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) as an option. A 2.0 TFSI was introduced, but due to poor sales and the launch of FR models it was discontinued.
In June 2006 the León received the 2.0 TFSI engine from the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 GTI, with twin chrome exhaust pipes, sport seats, stiffer suspension, climate control and FR branded parts. Also available was a 2.0 TDI.
The faster 2.0 TFSI Cupra model features a engine, with a 0- time of 6.4 seconds. Unique Cupra parts included 18" 5 twin-spoke alloys, red brake calipers, oval exhaust, aluminium pedals, paint colours and heavily bolstered sports seats.
Launched in 2008 the K1 León Cupra was made for one year for the UK market. Inspired by the BTCC race car, it featured redesigned bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler and oval exhaust.
The fastest Mk2 León is the 2.0 TFSI Cupra R, using the same engine found in the Audi S3 and Golf/Scirocco R. The 0– time is 6.2 seconds with a limited top speed of .
In 2009 the León range received a facelift, and the Cupra was in the SEAT Cupra race mobile game for Apple iPhone/iPod Touch available through the iTunes' App store.
Awards 'Red dot' award in 2006SEAT model awards 'Best Car of the Year 2009' for the import compact car segment in Germany, by the German magazine Auto-motor-und-sport 'Firmenauto des Jahres 2006', by the German magazine Firmenauto 'Car of the Year 2006' in Denmark 'Diesel Car of the Year 2006' in Scotland (for the 170 hp 2.0 TDI León FR) 'Auto 1' of the Year 2006 in Spain, by the magazine Auto Bild 'University Car of the Year 2007' in Spain, by Spanish university students 'Hellenic Car of the Year 2007' 'GTI of the Year 2006–2007' in Greece for the SEAT León Cupra, by the Greek magazine 4-Trohoi
Special editions
Copa Edition
In 2008, SEAT Deutschland announced the production of 55 units of the SEAT León Copa Edition. This limited edition was powered with a 2.0 TFSI engine producing , and . Maximum speed is and the 0- time is 5.9 seconds. The suspension is by Eibach, and inspired by the León Supercopa. The brakes were improved, and the car included xenon headlights, 18 inch wheels and a spoiler with larger air intakes. The only car colour available was white with black stripes.
SEAT México announced the production of 100 units of the Copa Edition in orange colour with black stripes in September 2008. The Mexican version also had a sunroof, which the European León Copa did not.
Streetcopa and World Champion Edition At the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, the León Streetcopa limited edition was released. It was a similar edition of León Copa Edition with some changes, designed for the Swiss market and limited to 200 units. Lately, after SEAT won World Touring Car Championship, SEAT Schweiz released a facelifted version called León World Champion Edition, also limited to 200 units.
Cupra 310 Limited Edition SEAT Nederland announced the production of León Cupra 310 Limited Edition, with 2.0 TFSI engine upgraded to of maximum power and .SEAT Nederland The production was limited to 100 units.
It came only in Candy white or Infiri black. The Cupra 310 Limited Edition featured beside the OEM Cupra equipment an engine management remapping by Abt Sportsline, black Orion-alloy wheels, an alarm system, Bluetooth connectivity and special 310 Limited Edition badges on the sides and the rear hatch. There were also stainless decals inside the front door frames displaying the 310 Ltd logo. A badge on the dashboard displayed the serial number, and the car was delivered with a key ring to match. Full factory warranty was retained with the power increase that increased the top speed to .
Cupra Pies Descalzos In 2007, SEAT prepared a sole car customized by Shakira. This car was auctioned, and the benefits went to the charity through Pies Descalzos Foundation. Mechanically, it is the same car as the León Cupra.
León Twin Drive concepts SEAT produced two versions of the Twin Drive prototype. Initially announced in May 2009SEAT presented its electric car project to Spanish government http://media.seat.com/en/seat-news/2009/291-seat-presenta-al-gobierno-espanol-su-proyecto-hacia-el-coche-electrico.html as a diesel/battery hybrid, the León Twin Drive Ecomotive was a series plug-in hybrid, powered by an electric motor, through lithium-ion batteries chargeable at a regular electrical socket, in combination with a diesel-powered internal combustion engine. The Twin Drive Ecomotive project was a first step towards a 100% electric car and was planned to go into production in 2014.
The Twin Drive Ecomotive as a plug-in hybrid vehicle powered through the combination of both a diesel engine and an electric motor. The vehicle's electric motor had an output of 35 KW and a self-imposed top speed of , and resumed power from Li-ion batteries placed at the rear of the vehicle, giving it a range of about for short urban circuits, while for longer trips the environmentally friendly tuned combustion engine was used. Quick battery recharging process from the mains through regular power sockets features.
In 2011, a revised version of the Twin Drive was shown to the press, with a 1.4TSI petrol engine producing in addition to a generator and an electric motor of , producing a combined limited output of and emitting a low 39g/km of , with production estimated in 2015.
Engine specifications The Typ 1P SEAT León is available with the following internal combustion engines, and like the previous generation, many are shared from other marques of the Volkswagen Group: