Seat Leon

Seat Leon is a Spanish compact car, manufactured since 1998 by SEAT S.A. Since 2012, the 3rd generation of the model has been released. The car was assembled in Belgium and Spain. A car of 1-2 generations is based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, and the third one is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB. Since the launch of the Leon model, a total of about 1.8 million cars have been sold worldwide. At the same time, about 150 thousand cars are produced annually.

Seat Leon, 1st generation, 1998

The Seat Leon hatchback was launched in 1998, in fact it was a five-door version of the second generation Seat Toledo sedan. The car was created on the Golf IV platform.

The engines were also Volkswagen: gasoline 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 with power from 75 to 125 hp, as well as diesels and turbodiesels with a volume of 1.9 liters (68–150 hp). The powerful versions of the hatchback, called Cupra and Cupra R, were equipped with 1.8 petrol turbo engines in several boost options: 179, 209 or 224 hp. In addition, there was also a Seat Leon Cupra 4 with a VR6 2.8 engine (204 hp) and all-wheel drive.

The release of the first generation of “Leon” was completed in May 2006. In total, 514 thousand cars were made at factories in Spain and Belgium.

Seat Leon, 2nd generation, 2005

The second generation of “Leon”, the release of which began at the plant in the Spanish Martorell in 2005, was still based on the Golf platform. But thanks to designer Walter da Silva, the car got a bright, expressive appearance, and its “chips” were wipers located along the windshield pillars and hidden rear door handles hidden in a small triangular glass on the C-pillar. Also on the basis of “Leon” was created compact MPV Seat Altea.

A wide range of engines included naturally aspirated 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 FSI engines, as well as turbocharged engines of 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 liters. Their power ranged from 86 to 185 hp. Turbodiesels 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI developed from 105 to 170 hp. “Charged” versions of the Seat Leon FR, Leon Cupra, as well as small-scale special versions were equipped with a two-liter gasoline turbo engine, the output of which is 209–310 hp.

In 2009, the model underwent a barely noticeable restyling and was produced in this form until 2012. In total, about 700 thousand cars were produced.

Seat Leon, 3rd generation, 2012

The third generation Seat Leon was offered in three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback and wagon body styles. The car was equipped with gasoline engines with direct injection and turbocharging.