The SEAT León (), also spelled Leon in some other languages (named after the city of
León, which also means "
Lion
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body (biology), body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the ...
" in Spanish), is a
small family car
The C-segment is the 3rd category of the European segments for passenger cars and is described as "medium cars". It is equivalent to the Euro NCAP "small family car" size class, and the compact car category in the United States.
In 2024, the C-s ...
built by the Spanish car manufacturer
SEAT
A seat is a place to sit. The term may encompass additional features, such as back, armrest, head restraint but may also refer to concentrations of power in a wider sense (i.e " seat (legal entity)"). See disambiguation.
Types of seat
The ...
since October 1999.
[ ETKA]
The first two León generations used two differing variants of the
Volkswagen Group A platform
The Volkswagen Group A platform is an automobile platform shared among compact car, compact and mid-size cars of the Volkswagen Group.
The first version debuted in 1974 and was originally based on the engineering concept of the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 ...
, and shared many components with other
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen AG (), known internationally as the Volkswagen Group, is a German public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of passenger and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, engines and turbomachinery. Headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxon ...
cars. The third and fourth generation use the
Volkswagen Group MQB platform
The Volkswagen Group MQB platform is the company's strategy for shared modular design construction of its transverse engine, transverse, front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout (optional front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout) automobiles. It was fi ...
, also used by the
Audi A3 Mk3 and
Mk4,
Volkswagen Golf Mk7
The Volkswagen Golf (Mk7) is a C-segment car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It is the seventh generation in the Volkswagen Golf, Golf series and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk6, Golf Mk6, and was introduced ...
and
Mk8 and
Škoda Octavia Mk3 and
Mk4.
First generation (1M; 1999)

The Mk1 SEAT León
hatchback
A hatchback is a car body style, car body configuration with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the main interior of the car as a cargo area rather than just to a separated trunk. Hatchbacks may feature fold-down second-row sea ...
(codename ''Typ'' 1M) launched in 1999, and was produced at
Martorell
Martorell () is a municipality, county, and city that forms part of the Baix Llobregat Comarques of Catalonia, comarca, in Catalonia, Spain, primarily known for its medieval Pont del Diable, Devil's bridge. It lies at the confluence of the Llobr ...
, with a small number of 13,401 cars assembled in Belgium.
Based on the
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen AG (), known internationally as the Volkswagen Group, is a German public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of passenger and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, engines and turbomachinery. Headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxon ...
A4 (PQ34) platform, it shared components with other VW Group models such as the
Volkswagen Golf Mk4
The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (or VW ''Type 1J'') is a compact car, the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk3. Launched in October 1997 for the 1998 model year, it was the best selling car in Europe in 2 ...
, 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
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. () is an Italian carmaker known for its sports-oriented vehicles, strong auto racing heritage, and iconic design. Headquartered in Turin, Italy, it is a subsidiary of Stellantis Europe and one of 14 brands of mu ...
Alfasud, and used firmer
suspension with wider tyres to improve handling. The
dashboard
A dashboard (also called dash, instrument panel or IP, or fascia) is a control panel (engineering), control panel set within the central console of a vehicle, boat, or cockpit of an aircraft or spacecraft. Usually located directly ahead of the ...
was derived from that of the first-generation Audi A3, with the saloon version called the
SEAT Toledo
The SEAT Toledo is a small family car produced by the Spanish manufacturer SEAT, part of Volkswagen Group. The Toledo name was first introduced to the SEAT line up in May 1991 being named after a Spanish city with the same name, with the fourt ...

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
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
**Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas
**Spanish cuisine
**Spanish history
**Spanish culture
...
and
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany, the country of the Germans and German things
**Germania (Roman era)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...
national flag
A national flag is a flag that represents and national symbol, symbolizes a given nation. It is Fly (flag), flown by the government of that nation, but can also be flown by its citizens. A national flag is typically designed with specific meanin ...
s, 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
A four-wheel drive, also called 4×4 ("four by four") or 4WD, is a two-axled vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via a transfer case pr ...
(4WD). This uses the same
Haldex Traction system as the
Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf () is a compact car/ small family car ( C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplate ...
4motion
4motion is a registered trademark of Volkswagen AG, used exclusively on Volkswagen-branded automobiles with four-wheel drive (4WD) systems. Volkswagen has previously used the term "Syncro" for its 4WD models, such as in Volkswagen T3.
Of the Vo ...
.
A range of
turbocharged direct injection
TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) is Volkswagen Group's term for its current common rail Fuel injection#Direct injection systems, direct injection turbodiesel engine range that have an intercooler in addition to the turbo compressor.
TDI engi ...
(TDI)
diesel engine
The diesel engine, named after the German engineer Rudolf Diesel, is an internal combustion engine in which Combustion, ignition of diesel fuel is caused by the elevated temperature of the air in the cylinder due to Mechanics, mechanical Compr ...
s 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
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canadian English, Canada, British English, the United Kingdom and American English, the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed ...
. 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
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...
there was an official tuner model by
Abt Sportsline
Abt Sportsline is an auto racing and auto tuning company based in Kempten im Allgäu, Germany. Abt mainly deals with Audi and the related primary Volkswagen Group brands—Volkswagen, Škoda, and SEAT—modifying them by using sports-type su ...
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.
Awards

*'Carro do Ano' (Car of the Year) award in 2001, in Portugal
*'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 engine
An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an internal comb ...
s, with all being shared with other
marque
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...
s of the
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen AG (), known internationally as the Volkswagen Group, is a German public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of passenger and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, engines and turbomachinery. Headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxon ...
:
[
]
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
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. () is an Italian carmaker known for its sports-oriented vehicles, strong auto racing heritage, and iconic design. Headquartered in Turin, Italy, it is a subsidiary of Stellantis Europe and one of 14 brands of mu ...
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
A petrol engine (gasoline engine in American and Canadian English) is an internal combustion engine designed to run on petrol (gasoline). Petrol engines can often be adapted to also run on fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas and ethanol blends ...
with . In some markets (e.g. Greece
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...
, Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...
and Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
), the base Leon used the older 1.4-litre MPI engine producing . Sportier FR badged variants began with the 2.0-litre Fuel Stratified Injection
Gasoline direct injection (GDI), also known as petrol direct injection (PDI), is a fuel injection system for internal combustion engines that run on gasoline (petrol) which injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber. This is distinct fro ...
(FSI) and the popular 2.0-litre Turbocharged Direct Injection
TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) is Volkswagen Group's term for its current common rail Fuel injection#Direct injection systems, direct injection turbodiesel engine range that have an intercooler in addition to the turbo compressor.
TDI engi ...
(TDI) diesel engine
The diesel engine, named after the German engineer Rudolf Diesel, is an internal combustion engine in which Combustion, ignition of diesel fuel is caused by the elevated temperature of the air in the cylinder due to Mechanics, mechanical Compr ...
. Both were fitted with a six-speed manual transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canadian English, Canada, British English, the United Kingdom and American English, the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed ...
, with a six-speed or seven-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox
A direct-shift gearbox (DSG, ) is an electronically controlled, dual-clutch, multiple-shaft, automatic gearbox, in either a transaxle or traditional transmission layout (depending on engine/drive configuration), with automated clutch oper ...
(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
An apple is a round, edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus'' spp.). Fruit trees of the orchard or domestic apple (''Malus domestica''), the most widely grown in the genus, are agriculture, cultivated worldwide. The tree originated ...
iPhone
The iPhone is a line of smartphones developed and marketed by Apple that run iOS, the company's own mobile operating system. The first-generation iPhone was announced by then–Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, at ...
/iPod Touch
The iPod Touch (stylized as iPod touch) is a discontinued line of iOS-based mobile devices designed and formerly marketed by Apple Inc. with a touchscreen-controlled user interface. As with other iPod models, the iPod Touch can be used as a po ...
available through the iTunes
iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
' App store
An app store, also called an app marketplace or app catalog, is a type of digital distribution platform for computer software called applications, often in a mobile context. Apps provide a specific set of functions which, by definition, do not i ...
.
Awards
*'Red dot' award in 2006
*'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 brake
A brake is a machine, mechanical device that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. It is used for Acceleration, slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of ...
s 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
The FIA World Touring Car Championship was an international touring car championship promoted by Eurosport Events and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It has had several different incarnations, including a sing ...
, SEAT Schweiz released a facelifted version called Leon 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 . 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
Abt Sportsline is an auto racing and auto tuning company based in Kempten im Allgäu, Germany. Abt mainly deals with Audi and the related primary Volkswagen Group brands—Volkswagen, Škoda, and SEAT—modifying them by using sports-type su ...
, 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
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ( , ; born 2 February 1977) is a Colombian singer-songwriter. Referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Latin Music", she has had a Cultural impact of Shakira, significant impact on the ...
. 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 2009 as a diesel/battery hybrid, the León Twin Drive Ecomotive was a series plug-in hybrid
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or simply plug-in hybrid is a type of hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be directly replenished via a charging cable plugged into an external electric power so ...
, powered by an electric motor, through lithium-ion
A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses the reversible Intercalation (chemistry), intercalation of Li+ ions into electronically Electrical conductor, conducting solids to store energy. Li-ion batteries are c ...
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 engine
An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an internal comb ...
s, and like the previous generation, many are shared from other marque
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...
s of the Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen AG (), known internationally as the Volkswagen Group, is a German public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of passenger and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, engines and turbomachinery. Headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxon ...
:[
A ]flexible-fuel vehicle
A flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) or dual-fuel vehicle (colloquially called a flex-fuel vehicle) is an alternative fuel vehicle with an internal combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel, usually gasoline blended with either ethanol f ...
model is also on offer under the label "MultiFuel", featuring the 1.6 MPI E85 102 bhp engine.
Safety
Third generation (5F; 2012)
The third generation of the León is based on the Volkswagen Group's latest MQB platform, which is shared with the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf.
Compared to the previous generation, the León Mk3 is shorter by and lighter by up to ; however, because its wheelbase has been extended by , it has a roomier cabin with greater shoulder room for the front and rear passengers, more rear legroom and of boot space. The first official information and pictures of the car were released on 16 July 2012, with its public debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. It is the second car to be based on the MQB platform.
It features new safety equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, elect ...
, such as driver knee airbag, and a number of new safety systems, including (often as standard) a multi-collision braking system to automatically brake the car after an accident in order to avoid a second collision, a lane-keeping assistant, and driver fatigue detection
Driver drowsiness detection (also known as "driver alertness monitoring") is a car safety technology which helps prevent accidents caused by the driver getting drowsy. Various studies have suggested that around 20% of all road accidents are fatigue ...
. The braking system includes a hill-start assistant.
In the interior, there is a driver-oriented centre console hosting a 5.8-inch touch-screen infotainment display with some models featuring a proximity sensor, also used in the Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf () is a compact car/ small family car ( C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplate ...
, as well as ambient lighting.
A new feature available for the first time in its class are the optional full-LED headlamps combined with a full beam assistant. The full-LED headlamps offer numerous advantages over standard halogen bulbs such as improved illumination, a close to daylight colour temperature, lower energy consumption and an extended service life. The front fog lights can include a cornering feature.
The higher specification also have a new "SEAT Drive Profile" system which allows the driver to choose between four different driving settings: eco, normal, sport, and an individual setting. This system controls the behaviour of the engine, steering, and DSG gearbox. Additionally, the 1.8 TSI 180PS and 2.0 TDI 184PS engine-equipped models will vary their engine sound via a sound actuator, as well as their interior ambient lighting between white (normal, eco and individual) and red (sport).
SEAT announced in early 2012 that the range would include for the first time three-door and estate models in addition to a five-door.
In September 2013, SEAT officially unveiled the León ST (estate model) at the Frankfurt Motor Show
The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility trade fairs. I ...
. The León ST extends the León's maximum load capacity to 1470 litres and is available in Europe in three different versions and eleven different engine options. On 23 June 2014, SEAT revealed an off-road version of the León ST called the X-PERIENCE
X-Perience is a Eurodance band from Berlin, Germany. Their music style varies between synthpop, trance music, trance and World music, ethnopop. The band members are Claudia Uhle (vocals, lyrics), Matthias Uhle (composition, keyboards) and Alexan ...
.
In August 2018, SEAT discontinued the Léon SC due to lower demands for three-door hatchbacks.
Facelift
In January 2017, the León received a subtle facelift which included a reshaped front bumper with a grille that has been stretched by 40mm and features restyled LED
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy in the form of photons. The color of the light (corresp ...
headlights. New engine options available included a 115 bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol and 115 bhp 1.6-litre diesel. Interior changes included an electric parking brake with Hill Hold Control (HHC) as standard, a larger eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay
CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra is an Apple Inc., Apple standard that enables a car radio or automotive head unit to be a display and controller for an iOS device. It is available on iPhone 5 and later models running iOS 7.1 or later.
More than 800 ...
, Android Auto
Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features of a smartphone (or other Android device) on a car's dashboard information and entertainment head unit.
Once an Android device is paired with the car's head unit, the system ...
and MirrorLink.
New safety systems included Traffic Sign Recognition, Pedestrian Protection System, and blind-spot warning systems. Also available was Traffic Jam Assist - which allows the León to accelerate and brake automatically in traffic jams up to 37 mph. "Kessy" - SEAT's keyless automatic locking and starting system was another upgrade available. A new flagship XCELLENCE trim level was also introduced.
León Cupra
SEAT León Cupra 265, was produced from 2014 to 2016, fitted with a turbocharged , 2-litre 16-valve, inline-four petrol engine, capable of 0-62 mph in 6.2 seconds and with a maximum speed of . Available with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
SEAT León Cupra 280, was manufactured between 2014 and 2015, powered by a version of the Cupra 265's engine, capable of 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds and limited to . Available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The 280 was fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels and Brembo
Brembo N.V. is an Italian manufacturer of automotive parts that most notably produces braking systems, for high-performance cars and for the sim racing series Gran Turismo. Its operational head office is in Curno, Bergamo, Italy, while Amst ...
brakes as standard.
The Sub8 Performance pack was launched in August 2014 for the Cupra 280, it featured side skirts, lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels and 30 mm larger ventilated brake discs with Brembo calipers. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres could be ordered at extra cost. Also included is a VAQ electronically controlled limited-slip differential
A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential gear train that allows its two output shafts to rotate at different speeds but limits the maximum difference between the two shafts. Limited-slip differentials are often known by the ...
that aids traction. Power remained unchanged at 280 hp (metric) and a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.
The Ultimate Sub8 pack was launched in February 2015 for the Cupra 280, which included several weight-saving measures including: removing the León's centre armrest, standard climate control system is replaced with a smaller heater, reducing the number of speakers from eight to four, removing the centre console armrest, front storage units, and rear air vents.
SEAT León Cupra 290, was manufactured between 2015 and 2016, as a replacement for Cupra 280 - powered by the same 2-litre engine from the Cupra 280, but with an extra 10 bhp. The Cupra 290 can accelerate 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 155 mph. Available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The 290 came in three body styles - three-door hatchback (León SC), five-door hatchback (León) and five-door estate (León ST) – and in a higher-specification Black version; which included sports seats, special 19in multi-spoke alloy wheels, and black detailing.
SEAT León Cupra 300, was manufactured between 2017–2018 to replace the Cupra 290, it used the same 2 Litre turbocharged engine from León Cupra 290 but boosted to 296 bhp and capable of 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds. Available with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. ST estate version was fitted with a DSG gearbox and all-wheel drive as standard.
In response to new WLTP testing regimes, SEAT announced in 2018 that the León Cupra 300 would be replaced with a new León Cupra 290. Changes to the revised model included the addition of a gasoline particulate filter (GPF), and as the name suggests, gave the 2WD hatchback a power output. The ST Estate retained its 300 PS power output, but was also fitted with a GPF system.
The León Cupra R is limited to 799 units based on the standard Cupra 300 but with an uprated 2 Litre turbocharged engine; with a 0-62 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. Cupra Rs were available only with a six-speed manual gearbox in the UK and only 24 Right Hand Drive units have been built. External changes include exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels, reprofiled bumpers with larger front intakes, flared side skirts, and carbon fibre front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and roof-mounted spoiler and matt bronzer accent over the externals.
Safety
In 2012, the SEAT León Mk3 was tested for its safety performance under the Euro NCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven, Belgium. Formed in 1996, the first results were released in February ...
assessment scheme and it achieved a 5-star overall rating:
In 2013, the Spanish-made SEAT León Mk3 in its most basic Latin American market configuration was tested for its safety performance under the Latin NCAP
The Latin New Car Assessment Programme (Latin NCAP) is an Automobile safety rating, automobile safety assessment programme for Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 2010, it offers independent information to consumers about the safety l ...
assessment scheme and it achieved 5 stars for adult occupants and 4 stars for toddlers:
In 2015, the Spanish-made SEAT León ST in its most basic Latin American market configuration was tested for its safety performance under the Latin NCAP
The Latin New Car Assessment Programme (Latin NCAP) is an Automobile safety rating, automobile safety assessment programme for Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 2010, it offers independent information to consumers about the safety l ...
assessment scheme and it achieved 5 stars for adult occupants and 5 stars for toddlers:
Awards
* Euro NCAP advanced reward for SEAT's Multi Collision Brake system
A collision avoidance system (CAS), also known as a pre-crash system, forward collision warning system (FCW), or collision mitigation system, is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision. I ...
* Euro NCAP advanced reward for SEAT's Lane Assist system
Special editions
León CONNECT
The SEAT León CONNECT is a special edition model that was released in 2015. It is equipped with SEAT's Full Link Technology and a Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone. This technology allows the user's phone to be connected to the car's infotainment system and gives the user access to all the features of the SEAT ConnectApp. The SEAT León CONNECT has a range of exterior body colours that allow the mirrors and wheels to be customised. Interior details, including stitching are in Blue.
Limited editions
799 units of the SEAT León Cupra R were built in a limited production run. Among these units only 24 of them are Right Hand Drive models solely distributed to the United Kingdom Market only. All RHD models are only available in six-speed manual and the LHD models are also available in the six-speed DSG Gearbox.
SEAT León Cupra ST 300 Carbon Edition went on sale in 2018 with only 50 allocated for sale in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
. Based on the León ST Cupra 300, the Carbon Edition is fitted with the same 296 bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox and Haldex all-wheel-drive system. Capable of 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed that is limited to 155 mph. Only available in Monsoon Grey paintwork, while other new exterior touches include carbon front and rear diffusers, fibre side blades, and Cupra R 19-inch black and bright silver alloy wheels.
Seat León Cupra R Abt 4Drive ST was produced in 2019 and its 2lt engine power increased from 296 bhp to 345 bhp and 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds; top speed is limited to 155 mph. The ABT upgrade includes a copper body kit, 19-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, and quad exhausts; the front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, and roof-mounted spoiler are all finished in carbon fibre. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive are fitted as standard. To improve cornering speed and handling performance, new uprights have been added that modifies the negative camber to 2 degrees, at the front and back. Only 150 were allocated for sale in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
.
Engine specifications
The ''Typ'' 5F SEAT León is available with the following internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an internal comb ...
s all featuring direct injection and turbocharging, and like the previous generations they are shared with other marque
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...
s of the Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen AG (), known internationally as the Volkswagen Group, is a German public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of passenger and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, engines and turbomachinery. Headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxon ...
:[
]
Fourth generation (KL1/KL8; 2020)
A fourth generation of León was presented on 28 January 2020. It shares the MQB platform with the Volkswagen Golf Mk8
The Volkswagen Golf (Mk8) (also known as the Golf VIII) is a compact car, the eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk7. It was launched in Wolfsburg on 24 October 2019, and arrived in German showroom ...
, Skoda Octavia Mk4 and Audi A3 Mk4. It has an all digital cluster, is full LED-Light equipped and will have a wide range of petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or simply plug-in hybrid is a type of hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be directly replenished via a charging cable plugged into an external electric power so ...
and electric engines.
The fourth-generation León is 16mm narrower and 90mm longer than the previous generation of León. The five-door León boot capacity of 380 litres has remained unchanged, and the Estate's storage is increased by 30 litres to 617 litres compared to the previous generation.
Engine options are two petrol TSI engines – a 1-litre three-cylinder producing 108 bhp and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder with either 128 bhp or 148 bhp. The TDI diesel option is a 2-litre producing either 113 bhp or 148 bhp.
Also available is a (CNG) compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fuel gas mainly composed of methane (CH4), compressed to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of , usually in ...
1.5 litre TGI unit that produces 96 kW/130PS of power giving the CNG-powered SEAT León a CNG range of 440 km (273 miles). When CNG tanks are depleted, the engine switches automatically to run on petrol until the next CNG refuelling.
The eTSI mild hybrid has a 48V electric motor and is available with either the 109 bhp 1-litre or 148 bhp 1.5 litre petrol engine. The system allows the León to coast with the engine switched off during some driving scenarios and recover energy under braking which is then stored in a 48V lithium-ion battery.
The Plug-in Hybrid (eHybrid) 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine electric motor with a 13kWh lithium-ion battery to produce 150 kW/204PS of power, switching to petrol only when its battery needs recharging to produce an electric-only 60 km (38 miles) range. Charging is quoted at just 3.5 hours via a 3.6 kW AC socket; it takes 6 hours to charge it from a 230V socket. To date, this is the most powerful SEAT ever produced that does not wear a Cupra badge. It is the only Leon in the range to have rear multilink suspension and, when ordered in FR trim, it forgoes the 15mm lower suspension.
The engines can be chosen with a six-speed manual, a six-speed DSG (direct-shift gearbox) automatic transmission or 7-speed DSG automatic transmission on smaller engines that have a torque output of up to 250Nm/184 lb ft. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission's dry clutch technology results in weight savings, reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
Standard equipment include: "KESSY" automatic locking and starting system, electronic parking brake, an eight-inch infotainment system, two USB ports, LED headlights with automatic high beam, electric and heated side mirrors, cloth upholstery, leather steering wheel and gear stick, and SEAT Connect.
The León is available in seven trim levels, starting with: ''SE'' with 16" alloy wheels, 8.25" touchscreen media system and rear parking sensors; ''SE Dynamic'' adds 17" alloys wheels, digital Cockpit, 10" touchscreen media system and Park assist (including front and rear parking sensor); ''FR'' adds FR Styling, sports suspension, automatic headlights, and Rain sensing wipers; ''FR First Edition'' adds 18" alloy wheels, predictive & adaptive Cruise Control, rear view camera and wireless phone charger; ''FR Sport'' adds heated front seats, Lane Assist and rear tinted windows; ''XCELLENCE'' adds microsuede upholstery and KESSY Advanced (keyless entry and start); and ''XCELLENCE Lux'' adds 18" Aerodynamic Performance alloy wheels, leather upholstery and interior wraparound lighting.
Safety
Standard equipment include: Blind Spot Detection, Exit Assist (alerts driver to any approaching vehicles visually and acoustically; stopping the car if necessary), Collision Assist (if an imminent collision is detected, sensors prepare the vehicle and its occupants by pre-tensioning seat belts and closing windows), Emergency Assist (if the driver seems inactive behind the wheel, it will activate the hazard lights, keep the car in its lane and then will apply the brakes until the car is brought to a gentle stop) and Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a type of advanced driver-assistance system for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. As of 2019, it is also called by 20 unique names that ...
.
Seven airbags, including a new standard front-central airbag that prevents possible head injuries between the driver and front passenger in the event of a side collision, became standard.
In 2020, the SEAT León Mk4 was tested for its safety performance under the Euro NCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven, Belgium. Formed in 1996, the first results were released in February ...
assessment scheme and it achieved a 5-star overall rating:
Technology
The León features digital cockpit on all but the basic model; Full Link technology with MirrorLink, Android Auto
Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features of a smartphone (or other Android device) on a car's dashboard information and entertainment head unit.
Once an Android device is paired with the car's head unit, the system ...
and Apple CarPlay
CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra is an Apple Inc., Apple standard that enables a car radio or automotive head unit to be a display and controller for an iOS device. It is available on iPhone 5 and later models running iOS 7.1 or later.
More than 800 ...
- compatible with most smartphones on the market. The standard Infotainment system boasts an 8.25" screen, whilst higher spec models have the larger 10" screen Navi system that offers 3D connected navigation and voice control as well as gesture recognition. The optional Connectivity Box allows wireless phone charging. Two USB type C ports are fitted as standard in the front cabin, with higher trim models having an additional two ports in the rear cabin. eSIM which features eCall service as standard will contact the emergency services directly in case of a serious accident.
Optional equipment
Optional features (some of which are standard on higher models) include Rear View Camera, BeatsAudio 9-speaker sound system, Park Assist, leather sport seats, and LED exterior lighting with automatic headlight adjustment.
Optional equipment could be ordered individually or combined into packages were also available at extra cost.
The 'Winter Pack' includes Heated front seats, wash water and steering wheel.
The 'Convenience Pack' includes Rain and auto-dimming light sensor with Coming and Leaving Home, windshield wiper intermittent control and breakaway interior rearview mirror.
The 'Safe Pack' includes Forward collision warning with braking reaction to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. It includes multi-functional camera, speed limiter, lane keeping system and driver alert system.
Cupra León
The León is also produced under SEAT's sister brand, Cupra
Cupra may refer to:
* Cupra (marque), an automobile brand owned by the Spanish company SEAT
** Cupra Racing, a car racing team owned by SEAT
* Cupra (goddess), a chthonic fertility goddess
See also
* Cupra Marittima, a commune in Marche, ...
and is available in 242 bhp or 296 bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines. For a lower centre of gravity, the Cupra León sits 25 mm lower at the front and 20 mm lower at the rear compared to the regular Seat León.
Top of the range is the estate-only 306 bhp Cupra ST 4Drive, with four-wheel-drive
A four-wheel drive, also called 4×4 ("four by four") or 4WD, is a two-axled vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via a transfer case provi ...
system and a DSG gearbox. Performance figures for this Cupra ST 4Drive are rated at 4.8 sec to 62 mph, while top speed is limited to 155 mph.
The Cupra León (PHEV) e-Hybrid's powertrain comprises a 148 bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a 113 horsepower electric motor, and a 13 kWh lithium battery pack. Combined, the system produces 242 bhp and 400 Nm of torque, allowing the car to reach 0–62 mph in 6.7 seconds. Seat claim it has a pure electric range of 32 miles and can achieve 217.3 mpg and a 30 g/km emissions figure.
Both 242bhp versions are fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, while the higher-output models are fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels and 370 mm front discs with Brembo calipers.
The Cupra León 300TSI went on sale in early 2021 and features a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which produces 296 bhp and 400 Nm of torque; 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. Available in two versions: The entry-level VZ2 variant features 19-inch alloy wheels, black brake calipers, a quad exhaust system, and copper-coloured exterior detailing. VZ3 model gets a different set of 19-inch alloys, a wireless phone charger, heated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Facelift
A facelift for the Cupra Leon that adopts the new Tavascan design language was released in 2024.
Awards
The fourth generation León has won several awards including: '' Golden Steering Wheel Award'' for the SEAT León 1.5 eTSI model in the "Best price/product ratio up to 35,000 euros" category. In December 2020, The new SEAT León was voted "AUTOBEST 2021", the European accolade for the "Best Buy Car of Europe 2021". In January 2021, the Seat Leon 1.5 TSI 130 Evo FR was named Family Car of the Year by ''What Car?
''What Car?'' is a British monthly automobile magazine and website, currently edited by Steve Huntingford and published by Haymarket Media Group. Other team members include deputy editor Darren Moss and test editors Will Nightingale, Neil Wi ...
'' magazine. ''What Car?'' awarded the León five stars out of five in its review of the car.
Motorsport
The first generation SEAT León Cupra R was the basis of a one-make trophy, the SEAT Leon Supercopa. It operated in Spain, UK, Germany and Turkey from 2003. The car was developed b
SEAT Sport
and power was raised to . An "International Masters" final, featuring the best four drivers from each national series, was introduced in October 2005, as a support race for the Spanish GT Championship's final round at Montmeló
Montmeló () is a municipality in the Comarques of Catalonia, comarca of Vallès Oriental, within the Barcelona metropolitan area, in Catalonia, Spain. It contains the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which is the home of the Formula One Spanish Gr ...
. A TDI-powered version has raced in the ECTS, an Italian-based endurance series for touring cars.
In 2006, the Supercopa León was replaced by the new shape León. The car is potentially faster than the WTCC version, as it features a turbocharged
In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (also known as a turbo or a turbosupercharger) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake air, forcing more air into the ...
2.0-litre engine, with over , increased torque, the DSG gearbox, better aerodynamics (it includes the WTCC car's front and rear spoilers, plus a venturi tunnel under the car, instead of a flat bottom), and 18 inch wheels, instead of the mandatory 17 inch wheels from the WTCC.
For 2007, the SEAT Cupra Championship
The SEAT Cupra Championship was a one-make series that ran for six years between 2003 and 2008, the last five of which ran as a support package to the British Touring Car Championship.
Originally the prize for winning the championship was a driv ...
in the UK (part of the TOCA Package) will run both 'New León' Cupra Race cars with , as well as the Mk1 León Cupra R race car with .
The SEAT Leon Eurocup began in 2008 as a support series for the World Touring Car Championship.
The car came top in Class D in the 2014 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.
SEAT León Super 2000 car
During 2005, SEAT introduced the second generation León into the World Touring Car Championship
The FIA World Touring Car Championship was an international touring car championship promoted by Eurosport Events and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It has had several different incarnations, including a sing ...
(WTCC) to replace the Toledo Cupra which it had raced in the early rounds of the title. The car featured several modifications, including a racing engine that developed over , a Hewland
Hewland is a British engineering company, founded in 1957 by Mike Hewland, which specialises in racing-car gearboxes. Hewland currently employ 130 people at their Maidenhead facility and have diversified into a variety of markets being particul ...
sequential-shift gearbox (unrelated to the DSG), and an aerodynamic package for increased downforce (with its hatchback shape, the León was disadvantaged against conventional three-box
The configuration of a car body is typically determined by the layout of the engine, passenger and luggage compartments, which can be shared or separately articulated. A key design feature is the car's roof-supporting pillars, designated from fr ...
saloons). Minimum weight is with driver. SEAT Sport, in partnership with Oreca
ORECA (Organisation Exploitation Compétition Automobiles) is a French auto racing, racing team and race car constructor, founded in 1973 and run by Hugues de Chaunac, former team manager of F1 team Automobiles Gonfaronnaises Sportives, AGS. Or ...
, ran six cars in the WTCC. Two other cars were run by SEAT Sport UK (Northern South) based in Northampton, UK in the British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), officially known as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for sponsorship reasons, is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom, currently organised and administered by ...
(BTCC). A further two cars were run by SEAT Sport Italia in the Italia Superturismo Championship.
In mid-2007 SEAT introduced the León TDI to combat BMW's dominance by utilizing 2.0-litre Volkswagen EA189 TDI inline-4 turbodiesel engine. The car did show promise with Yvan Muller
Yvan Muller (born 16 August 1969) is a French auto racing driver most noted for success in touring car racing. He is a four-time World Touring Car Championship, World Touring Car Champion, winning the title in 2008 with SEAT, in 2010 and 2011 wit ...
behind the wheel and the team was set to score championship win in Macau, but reliability issues caused Muller an retirement in Race 1 and the engine problems weren't solved in time thus not starting in Race 2 and handing the title to Andy Priaulx
Andrew Graham Priaulx, Order of the British Empire, MBE ( born 7 August 1974) is a British people, British racing driver from Guernsey. In 2019 he raced for Chip Ganassi Racing, Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK in the FIA World Endurance Championship, ...
with BMW 320si.
In 2008, Muller won the FIA World Touring Car Championship for Drivers at the wheel of a León TDI, and SEAT won the Manufacturers' title. León TDI was also fielded by SEAT UK in the British Touring Car Championship with Jason Plato
Timothy Jason Plato (born 14 October 1967) is a British auto racing, racing driver who last competed in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) for BTC Racing. He has twice been List of BTCC champions, BTCC Champion, in 2001 British Touring ...
being the lead driver. Plato finished second behind Fabrizio Giovanardi
Fabrizio Giovanardi (born 14 December 1966 in Sassuolo) is an Italian racing driver. During his career he has won ten touring car racing, touring car titles, including European and British crowns making him the most successful touring car driver ...
with Vauxhall in the drivers' championship. At the end of the season SEAT UK withdrew from the series and subsequently this was the only season where León TDI competed in the BTCC.
In 2009, Gabriele Tarquini
Gabriele Tarquini (born 2 March 1962) is an Italian former racing driver, who competed in Formula One between and , and World Touring Car from to 2021. In touring car racing, Tarquini won the World Touring Car Championship in with SEAT; ...
became the Drivers' Champion with the León TDI, and SEAT won the Manufacturers' title for a second consecutive year. At the end of the season SEAT Sport officially ended their manufacturer support. León TDI cars were entered by Sunred Engineering
Sunred (short for ''Sun Race Engineering Development S.L.'') is a Spanish-based auto racing team and constructor. They are best known for competing in the World Touring Car Championship.
Racing History
While in the past Sunred had participated i ...
for the following season and despite not having official manufacturer support from SEAT, in the manufacturers' championship the entity was named SEAT Customers Technology. Tarquini finished second in the drivers' standings behind Yvan Muller with Chevrolet.
For 2011, new rules were introduced in WTCC, incorporating a new engine formula - 1.6 turbocharged engines, similar to those used in the World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship (abbreviated as WRC) is an international rallying series owned and governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA. Inaugurated in 1973, it is the oldest FIA world championship after Formula One. E ...
. In line with the changes Sunred created the SUNRED SR León 1.6T, using the then León TDI as base. The cars, however, were not ready for the start of the season, and Sunred drivers used the older León TDI, which was still eligible to enter thanks to the Jay Ten Trophy, introduced by the series promoter Eurosport for 2010-spec cars.
In 2012, SEAT Sport unofficially returned to the series introducing the SEAT León WTCC, effectively replacing the SR León from Sunred, to privateer entries. Some drivers like Tom Boardman and Tiago Monteiro started the season using the old León TDI. The TDI version was still eligible in the European Touring Car Cup where Fernando Monje won the 2012 championship. For the following season León TDI was banned from ETC Cup and with everyone upgraded to the León WTCC 2012 marked the last time diesel car was entered in WTCC and ETCC. The Léon WTCC continued to be eligible until the introduction of TC1 in 2014 (although León WTCC was able to be entered in the TC2 class in the same year as TC1's introduction).
León Cup Racer and León TCR
File:Ferenc Ficza 2015 TCR Int Malaysia.jpg, SEAT León Cup Racer race car
File:Harald Proczyk Seat Leon TCR.jpg, Seat León TCR race car
File:Stian Paulsen TCR Cupra Leon.jpg, Cupra León TCR race car
File:24H Series 2022 Spa Nr. 159.jpg, Cupra León Competición TCR race car
File:TCR Italy 2024 Mugello Nr. 4 Tavano.jpg, Cupra León VZ TCR race car
In 2013 SEAT Sport introduced a concept car, based on the third generation of León. Initially it was thought that this would be the car in which SEAT Sport would return to the series with full manufacturer team under the new TC1 regulations. However SEAT Sport announced that the car would be part of the revived León Eurocup for 2014.
The León Cup Racer then formed the base for the newly formed TCR International Series
The TCR International Series was an international Touring car racing, touring car championship. The championship was promoted by World Sporting Consulting (WSC), founded by former World Touring Car Championship manager Marcello Lotti. It was ma ...
. The TCR regulations use this car as a template for the aerodynamic portions of the cars. In 2016 SEAT Sport introduced a TCR-spec version of the León with the original Cup Racer still being eligible in the International Series as well as national and regional championship utilising the TCR regulations.
León (NGTC)
Team HARD Racing built and ran four new Cupra León cars for the 2021 season. The drivers were announced to be Glynn Geddie, Jack Goff, Nicolas Hamilton and Árón Taylor-Smith. As of Brands Hatch race 3, the car has scored points in every race as well as a podium, courtesy of Goff.
León e-Racer (ETCR)
The Cupra e-Racer is an electric car
An electric car or electric vehicle (EV) is a passenger car, passenger automobile that is propelled by an electric motor, electric traction motor, using electrical energy as the primary source of propulsion. The term normally refers to a p ...
touring car. It competed in the e-TCR electric
Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter possessing an electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by Maxwel ...
touring car
Touring car and tourer are both terms for open cars (i.e. cars without a fixed roof). "Touring car" is a style of open car built in the United States which seats four or more people. The style was popular from the early 1900s to the 1930s. The ...
racing series, against competitors from Hyundai
Hyundai is a former South Korean industrial conglomerate ("''chaebol''"), which was restructured into the following groups:
* Hyundai Group, parts of the former conglomerate which have not been divested
** Hyundai Asan, a real estate construction ...
and Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. () is an Italian carmaker known for its sports-oriented vehicles, strong auto racing heritage, and iconic design. Headquartered in Turin, Italy, it is a subsidiary of Stellantis Europe and one of 14 brands of mu ...
, securing the manufacturer's championship following the inaugural season in 2021 and the second season in 2022.
Summary
Sales and production figures
Since its launch in 1999, more than 2 million SEAT León cars have been produced and sold in its three generations up to the present, made in SEAT's Martorell plant and other Volkswagen Group's factories.
In the year 2011, the total annual retail sales number of SEAT León cars was 77,075 vehicles,[SEAT Annual report 2011 http://seat-mediacenter.com/en-stories/corporate/seat-improves-results-thanks-to-exports/&v=d ] while the annual production of vehicles came up to 80,736 units.
The total production per year of SEAT/Cupra León cars, manufactured in SEAT and other Volkswagen Group's plants, is shown below :
References
External links
SEAT Leon
– official SEAT UK website
SEAT Leon in movies and TV series
SEATCupra.Net
UK's #1 SEAT Community
LeonOC.com
León Owners Club
SEAT Leon ST First Look
SEAT Leon ST X-perience dimensions
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