We’ve seen Seat testing the next-generation Leon on
many occasions in the past few months but this is our first proper look inside
the new compact hatchback. Our spies managed to snap a few interior shots of a camouflaged test
car that was being run on Nurburgring. The new Seat Leon is in the final stages
of development, with the car maker expected to make the big reveal in the next
few months, possibly at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Spanish cousin of the VW Golf is set to adopt a
version of the dashboard first seen on the Cupra Formentor concept, featuring a
tablet-like touchscreen display on top of the central air vents and a raised
center console. The infotainment system will be all-new and will support
over-the-air updates.
The test car was fitted with an automatic
transmission and featured a stubby gear selector between the seats, reminding
us of the lever Porsche is using on the new 911. VW Group’s digital instrument
cluster will also be present, at least on the more well-equipped models of the
range.
The next-generation Seat Leon rides on the updated
MQB architecture and will become available with new 48-volt mild-hybrid and
plug-in hybrid powertrains, in addition to more efficient versions of the
existing TSI and TDI engines. The three-door bodystyle will be ditched, leaving
only the five-door hatch and wagon models in the range.
The range-topping Cupra Leon is also rumored to
adopt not one but two powertrain options; the first one will be an all-new
plug-in hybrid with 242 hp and an EV range of up to 50 km,
while the second one will use the turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder
engine with around 300 hp.
