New SEAT Leon ST

The new SEAT Leon ST combines the youthful, dynamic design and sporty characteristics of its siblings with exceptional utility. The third member of the Leon family makes a compelling argument that thrilling sporting character and exceptional everyday usability do not have to be mutually exclusive. Its luggage space offers an impressive level of versatility, superb functionality down to the tiniest detail and, like the rest of the Leon, excellent workmanship and premium materials. It has a capacity of 587 litres, rising to as much as 1470 litres with the rear seat backrests folded - meaning that even the big items of everyday life are best accommodated in the Leon ST. The design of the Leon ST continues the emotional SEAT design language, as well as its high level of quality in materials and workmanship. The handling is as precise and dynamic as the Leon and Leon SC. The extensive line-up of hi-tech options such the full-LED headlamps is expanded by ACC proximity radar and DCC variable damper adjustment. The optional Dynamic Pack including DCC and Progressive Steering enables a high degree of control under sporty driving conditions. “Nobody has to choose anymore between sporty and practical. The new Leon ST offers both,” says Jürgen Stackmann, President and CEO of SEAT S.A. “With its sporty look, its surprisingly high utility and its state-of-the-art technology, the Leon ST defines a new standard in the compact estate car class – at a very fair price. Like the already highly successful Leon and Leon SC, the new ST is the perfect representative of SEAT’s brand values.” Alongside the distinctly sporty look, exceptional efficiency was very high up the list of priorities in the development of the SEAT Leon ST. The fuel-efficient TDI and TSI engines, with displacements ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 litres and output from 63 kW (86 PS) to 135 kW (184 PS), all run with direct injection and turbocharging. SYSTEMATIC LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN The impressive fuel economy figures are also a result of systematic lightweight design. In the base version, the Leon ST weighs in at just 1,233 kilograms, making it a mere 45 kilograms heavier than the five-door Leon and the lightest estate in its class. Nevertheless, the ST offers a host of functional equipment details that significantly benefit everyday usability. The rear seat backrests are extremely easy to fold down from the luggage compartment, while the double floor brings order and makes it very easy to load and unload. The passenger-seat backrest can be folded over to accommodate especially long items. “We have achieved a perfect suspension setup which combines comfort and agility,” says Dr. Matthias Rabe, SEAT Executive Vice President for Research and Development. “Starting with the Leon ST, DCC together with further advanced driver assistance systems are available now for the whole family.” UNIQUE DESIGN LANGUAGE The much applauded design language of the Leon range has been further accentuated for the ST. Here, too, sculpted lines along the sides deliver a thrilling interplay of light and shade. The estate also features the same sharp lines and precise edges that communicate energy and vitality. The rear end, extended by 27 centimetres, provides an indication of the generous load space, while the angled rear windscreen, gently rounded roofline and muscular shoulders emphasize the dynamic driving pleasure. The technical elegance of the Leon ST is further accentuated by the optional full-LED headlamps in combination with LED rear lights. “At SEAT Design, we believe that dynamic character does not have to suffer at the hands of functionality. The new Sport Tourer adds a whole new dimension to the Leon family – the dynamic silhouette looks taut and elegant, yet the Leon ST offers full utility for both work and leisure, for family and sport,” says Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Head of SEAT Design. “The Leon ST is simply unique in its FR variant. With its expressively sporty design front and rear, it brings new meaning to the term sports estate.” DYNAMIC AND EFFICIENT ENGINES The technology package in the new Sport Tourer is largely similar to that of the Leon and Leon SC. The selection of petrol engines is wide and varied. The 1.2 TSI is available in two versions with 63 kW (86 PS) and 77 kW (105 PS). With start/stop and brake energy regeneration, the 77 kW engine consumes just 4.9 litres per 100 km (CO2: 114 g/km). The 1.4 TSI with 90 kW (122 PS) and the 1.4 TSI with 103 kW (140 PS) are likewise state-of-the-art power units with a fuel consumption of just 5.3 litres. At the top of the petrol line-up is the FR, with the 1.8 TSI delivering 132 kW (180 PS) and 250 Nm of torque. The broad TDI range for the new Leon ST extends from 66 kW (90 PS) to 135 kW (184 PS). The entry model is the 1.6 TDI with 66 kW (90 PS) and a respectable 230 Nm of torque. The 2.0 TDI with 110 kW (150 PS) and 320 Nm of torque provides powerful propulsion for the SEAT Leon ST. Yet, with the start/stop and regeneration system, it manages to make an average of just 4.1 litres of fuel per 100 km (CO2: 106 g/km). A sporty highlight is the 2.0 TDI with 135 kW (184 PS) and 380 Nm of torque, which features exclusively in the FR and boasts fuel consumption of a mere 4.3 litres per 100 km (CO2: 112 g/km). ADAPTIVE CHASSIS CONTROL DCC AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ACC The well balanced chassis enhances the dynamic character of the new Leon ST. The steering conveys refined, calm directionality and finely tuned feedback, while the suspension smoothly masters all manner of road surface irregularities. For the FR, SEAT is offering the latest generation of its Adaptive Chassis Control DCC with three different driving modes that can be selected via the SEAT Drive Profile. In “Sport” mode, the Leon ST is even more agile, while the estate is noticeably more comfortable in “Comfort” mode of the DCC system, selectable in the SEAT drive profiles “ECO” or “Individual”. The optional Dynamic Pack includes DCC and the progressive steering, which reduces steering effort when parking, while at the same time improving handling with more direct steering characteristics on winding roads. New to the driver assistance systems for the SEAT Leon is the Adaptive Cruise Control ACC. The radar-based system maintains the specified speed and a pre-set distance, automatically accelerating and decelerating in flowing traffic. The speed can be set within a range from 30 to 160 km/h. ACC works with manual transmissions and DSG alike. STATE-OF-THE-ART ASSISTANCE AND INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS A further range of state-of-the-art driver assistance systems is available for the new SEAT Leon ST. Alongside the standard multi-collision brakes, this includes the drowsiness detection system and the two camera-based full-beam and lane-keeping assistants. When it comes to infotainment solutions, too, the new SEAT Leon ST is fully up-to-the-minute. The basis for excellent on-board entertainment is the SEAT Easy Connect operating system for the control of entertainment and communication, as well as a wide range of vehicle functions. The interface is provided by a touch-sensitive screen in the cockpit up to 5.8 inches in size. Source: seat-mediacenter