Geneva Preview: 2009 SEAT Leon Facelift with Styling Tweaks and Revised Engines

At next month's Geneva Motor Show SEAT will showcase the facelifted Leon hatchback featuring minor cosmetic revisions and an updated engine range. On the outside the most identifiable traits of the 2009 model concern the newly shaped grille with the smaller SEAT logo, larger headlights and new door mirrors while at the rear, there's a larger window that now covers the whole length of the hatch and restyled tail light clusters which bring to mind the word "Alfa Romeo"... Inside, SEAT's designer have made modifications to the instrument panel, central console and door panel trim and materials.

The Spanish automaker claims that all available engines on the Leon have all been tweaked for better performance and reduced fuel consumption figures and emissions levels. These include the more powerful 2.0 TSI engine that now delivers 211 HP and the arrival of common rail technology to the 170 HP 2.0 TDI engine. Furthermore, all the versions equipped with the DSG automatic sequential gearbox, now also available on the seven-speed 160 hp 1.8 TSI, feature shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Other improvements for the Leon facelift concern the addition of the XDS electronic system that works in conjunction with the ESP as a self-blocking differential, the Hill Hold Control, dual xenon headlights with AFS and daytime driving lights, a new climatiser and new audio equipment, cornering foglights, front and rear parking sensors and an optical parking system displayed on the new navigation system.

2009 SEAT Leon Cupra Facelift with 240HP to Premiere at Barcelona Show

SEAT has chosen next month's Barcelona International Motor Show (May 9-17) to pull the covers off the facelifted version of the Leon Cupra which is essentially the Spanish firm's VW Golf GTI. Like the rest of the 2009 Leon range that was revealed at the Geneva Show in March, the Cupra has received a series of minor cosmetic upgrades that include a new grille design that sports a smaller badge, larger headlights and new door mirrors. Look closely and you'll also spot a new tailgate design and tail light clusters.

The Cupra in particular also gets a newly styled front bumper with larger air-scoops at each corner and the word 'Cupra' printed on the left side. The sport hatch's looks are rounded off with a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels.

For the interior, aside from the tweaked instrument and center console designs which are common to the rest of the Leon range, the Cupra also features a three-spoke leather steering wheel with aluminum color inserts and a matching gearbox knob along with a set of sport bucket seats for the front passenger and driver. A new option for the 2009MY Leon Cupra is the black leather upholstery with white cross-stitching that you can check out in the photos below.

Underneath the bonnet, the 2009 Leon Cupra gets the same 240HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as found in the previous version. Top speed is clocked at 247 km/h or 154mph, the 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) sprint takes 6.4 seconds while it covers the first 1,000m from standstill in 26.4 seconds. At the same time, average combined fuel consumption is listed at 8.3lt /100 km or 28.3mpg US.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Geneva Show: SEAT to Reveal Leon and Altea Facelift, and Exeo Break

Despite the gloomy outlook on the automotive sector, this year's Geneva Salon looks like it is going to be packed with new cars that will be making their world premiere at the Swiss show. The latest piece of information to come by our hands is that VW Group's Spanish brand SEAT will take the veil off the facelifted Leon and Altea range that includes the Altea XL and Altea Freetrack crossover, as well as the station-wagon variant of the Exeo that as you already know, is in essence a re-skinned previous-gen Audi A4. We'll have more details on all the new SEATs closer to the opening of the Geneva Show in March.