An undisguised production-ready version of the fourth-generation SEAT Leon has been caught on camera ahead of its official launch tomorrow
The all-new, fourth-generation SEAT Leon is due to make its official debut on Tuesday 28 January in Barcelona, before going on sale this summer. An uncamouflaged production- ready version of the new car has been leaked on Instagram ahead of the event, offering our best indication yet of the refreshed model’s styling.
The leaked images preview the new Leon’s front- and rear-end styling. Like the new Tarraco SUV, it will adopt SEAT’s latest family face, with a pair of slimmer, more sharply angled headlamps and a more vertical radiator grille positioned lower on the car’s front bumper.
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At the rear, SEAT has fitted a redesigned tailgate, updated boot spoiler and full-width LED light-bar which, as confirmed by previous spy shots and teaser images, illuminates outwards from the centre of the boot-lid when the Leon powers up.
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SEATâÂÂs earlier teaser video provided a brief glimpse at the new LeonâÂÂs interior. The dimly lit video clip shows that a single LED ambient lighting strip will span the width of the dashboard, with a pair of digital displays â as seen in the latest Golf â sitting below it.
Our wealth of spy shot images give a good indication of how the rest of the new Leon will look. The outgoing LeonâÂÂs smooth shape has been replaced by a more angular design, and thereâÂÂs a more pronounced step between the base of the rear window and the boot lid.
Previous spy shots of the estate-bodied variant also gave us an undisguised glimpse at the new LeonâÂÂs flanks and showed us that the current carâÂÂs creases and body lines will be largely carried over to the new model.
Dr. Matthias Rabe, formerly SEATâÂÂs board member for research and development, told Auto Express last year: âÂÂThe styling of the car is not a revolution but itâÂÂs a big evolution. You will be able to see that it is a Leon; you wonâÂÂt be able to mistake it for any car in the segment. But that is what weâÂÂve been working on, across our range; now we have a clear, consistent product design identity.âÂÂ
The fourth-generation Leon will form a key part of a major product offensive from SEAT â the most intensive rollout of new or heavily revised models in the Spanish companyâÂÂs history. It’s also a key car from anàelectrificationàpoint of view. Aàplug-in hybrid variantàhas already been confirmed for release later in 2020, likely using a derivative of the 1.4-litre powertrain destined for the upcomingàGolf GTE.
âÂÂItâÂÂs our biggest push ever,â said Rabe. âÂÂWeâÂÂve had Ateca, Arona, the renewal of Ibiza, the facelifted Leon. But itâÂÂs only now that we really accelerate; over the next three years weâÂÂll see six or seven new models, and most of them will be totally new.âÂÂ
The next generation of Leon will continue to be based on theàVolkswagenàGroupâÂÂs MQB platform technology â the same chassis parts that underpin the current car as well as theàSkoda OctaviaàandàVolkswagen Golf. However, we can expect SEAT to stretch the LeonâÂÂs wheelbase by a few millimetres in a bid to boost rear cabin space. ItâÂÂll be available as a five-door and ST estate, while the previous three-door variant is not going to make a return.
The Leon’s engine line-up will stay familiar, too, with 1.0 and 1.5-litre petrols, and a 1.6-litre diesel. It is also likely to get at least some of the electronics architecture from the forthcoming Mk8 Golf â allowing the potential for a 48V-based mild hybrid, although this may arrive later in the carâÂÂs life. The plug-in arriving 2020 will be able to travel 31 miles on electric power only.
Are you looking forward to seeing the fourth-generation SEAT Leon? Let us know in the comments section belowâ¦
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