EXCLUSIVE!: Official Leon launch model details now on-line (Cupra image added :))

[andyb]

andyb - you scare me with the accuracy of your design articles from almost a year back!

always top notch!

hee hee

You can normally tell a concept car's direction etc towards production by ingnoring the bs and glitzy bits. The Altea prototype threw me somewhat as the production car was nothing like that in sheet metal form, but there are a few more similarities on the Leon, which makes it even more confusing

 

[crackdownuk]

dont know if i like it To Be Honest wait to see in in the flesh ( like someone else has said )

Hope they do a nice hot one as the Cupra R is such a good looking car

 

[andyb]

I suspect, as I mention in the article, that the hot one, Cupra will be heavily based on the Prototype for the bumpers and perhaps the wheels (although maybe an inch smaller). If you look at the bumpers on the prototype, you'll see lots of similarities between the current LCR and the current Ibiza Cupra. Manufactures generally know when there onto a good thing, so seeing as SEAT have put all the effort into designing those bumpers, I'm sure they will appear.

They were well detailed and production ready. When I have some time, I'll Photoshop the prototype with smaller wheels etc to show how I think a Cupra could look. I need to pratice PS anyway, so kill two birds with one stone.

(also, if you look at the Toledo Prototype and look past the two-tone, that had a well resolved bumper as well)

 

[dramosuk]

I think Seat have made a big mistake. The Leon Concept looks not too bad, but compared to the current LCR looks crap!
Now just seeing the pics of the new Leon I think its one of the ugliest cars I've seen!
If you look at the side profile, the shape looks way out of proportion. The front end looks stretched and slim, then goes to the back which is more fatter and rounder. Hope that make sense! Cutting costs by making the 3 cars share certain panels and parts and design looks good on paper, but I think this new design strategy will hurt Seat sales generally. The top selling Seat cars where the Sport versions of the Leon and Ibiza.
I don't see this model doing so well. But hope Seat can prove me wrong!!!

Currently I don't see my next car being a Seat anymore. I'll prefer to keep my current 5 year old Leon Cupra. Still looks 10 times better than this new version.

 

[m0rk]

the bonus of the new shape should be lower insurance for one. with the new airbags etc that will be in, the anti whiplash seats & improved crash structure.

in addition the pedestrian safety rules will influence the shape of a car, so to give a hapless pedestrian a chance to survive walking out in front of you (nobody would choose styling over life)

side by side, the old leon just looks old & aggressive, whereas the 'new' leon looks less aggressive in cooking spec, but a lot more up to date.

 

[dramosuk]

Yes i understand that there are new pedestrian safety rules. However, many other manufaturers have designed cars to comply with the rules and have managed to make them look much more attractive. About the lower insurance group. Seat has marketed their brand as a Sporty company, therefore should have sporty cars that will get high insurance rating. I think they have gone back on their word with the new models!

 

[dramosuk]

The Leon design also can't make its mind up what it is. Is it an Altea? An Alfa?
Don't get me wrong, I am a Seat fan, but i just not convinced with these new models.

 

[TDi Buz]

Picked up auto car today, they had a little snippet saying the Skoda octavia Vrs will have both the 197hp FSI and 170 Tdi available. So hopefully this means the new Leon FR might get the 170 Tdi.........but whats the chance of a Tdi Cupra or will Seat go for a petrol only Cupra again(ala LCR)

Roll on news of the FR and cupra Spec.

 

[m0rk]

From SEAT's comments last year when we met them they said that there will always be a 'performance' petrol model, but diesel will always be up the top

remember the restructuring

Old / New
Cupra / FR
Cupra R / Cupra

 

[Dillinja]

I don't like the Altea and I don't like this.

It's not a car it's a "Euro-bubble".

 

[mark sheerin]

I have to say the following.....

Yes these are blander than the Geneva prototypes but in actual fact when you compare the car to its rivals..ie new focus/golf/a3/civic/corolla etc etc then the design does stand up for its self very well indeed and should actually be applauded for its relative daring.
I think the Altea and the Toledo as mentioned have spiked the Leons guns a little.
If the Altea and Toledo hadn't allready been produced and this Leon had been the first of the 'new wave' of models instead then its impact would have been sensational.
Interior is looking a little plasticy though but will have to see one in the flesh..I think the light grey plastic does need to give way to anthracite though even if it makes the cabin gloomy.

 

[Feel]

Still quite like it. Pleased to see that the recessed rear handles are still there.

Front and rear overhangs look "odd" (407 anyone?) but I get the feeling these will look better in the flesh than in the images.

Interior looks bland, but also roughly the same as the Altea and Toledo - which again look better in the flesh than in those pictures.

Hope the boot opening isn't a problem - the boot looks like it could be a good size and it would be spoilt by a small opening.

 

[F2 Stu]

Looks too much like the Altea & Toledo.

It looks ok but I'd like to see more than just a few subtle differences and not the same old **** everytime.

 

[El Vic]

I'm pleased to see that they managed to give a sporty look to the 5-door entry level new Leon.

I can't wait to see the pictures of the next FR and Cupra models, or even better, a 2-door convertible cupra version.

 

[dramosuk]

Have a look at Auto Car magazine dated today 19th April.
Compares the Leon Prototype with a current cupra r.
The author stats that the new leon stands out much more but is not as good a drive as the Leon Cupra R!
Honestly it just a disapointing design. The conventional look of the new Ford Focus looks 10 times better! Im getting a Vauxhall Astra VXR!

 

[m0rk]

I'll be suprised that independant rear suspension, a totally new chassis that's 6 years newer is worse to drive....

Magazine articles are mostly BS anyway, written by hacks on a per word basis. Use your own judgement & test drives & cars you've driven to draw conclusions.

 

[Tam]

With the reports the "New" Golf GTI is getting over its handling compared to the old one ..

It's leaps and bounds ahead ..

Would expect that the Leon would be a similar step forward.


Now if the New Golf GTI is worse than the current Leon ... then there may be trouble!

 

[Stu B]

Okay so whats it gonna look like in Green ........




LOL I had to ask eh.... Hmmmm Okay its toned down from the proto but hey that was gonna happen anyway, so do I like it.. Well yes, whey more than the Toledo, but just above the Altea..

Its interesting to see that they show what I'd guess is the equiv. to the Old SE Tdi... and not the base model.. So we shall have to wait & see what a difference there is from base model to the FR/cupra

 

[Syphon]

Stick a bigger set of rims on it and i think it will look schweet - nice and sleek.

Yes this is not the FR or Cupra version we are talking about. Take a look at the base models of the curret Leon - hardly inspiring. Then compare them to the current FR and the Leon R. It's amazing what a set of wheels and a bodykit can do.....

As a sensible car I think the launch model looks great, and of course I'm also looking forward to seeing what the Cupra and FR brings.

Scott

 

[LEO LION R]

squashed altea meets old civic