The SEAT León has been a popular small family car since 1999, utilizing the Volkswagen A platform along with other components from the VW Golf, Audi A3 and Škoda Octavia.
León Mk. I (1999-2005)
Positioned as a sportier, more budget-friendly alternative to the VW Golf, the León Mk I boasted an assertive look and firm suspension to improve handling. V6 engine options, providing 204 PS (150 kW), were available at the higher end of the price range, while the range also featured two versions of the 1.8L turbocharged Volkswagen Group engine and a 150 PS (110 kW) 1.9 TDI engine offering, initially as the Cupra but later as the Formula Racing version.
In addition, selected Leons were outfitted with an all-wheel drive system, based on the Haldex differential present in the VW Golf 4Motion.
León Mk. II
The New León, based on the VW Golf V platform, has a sleeker appearance with sensitively-concealed windshield wipers and more seamless external rear door handles. Design was handled by Walter de'Silva and uses the same design style seen in the SEAT Altea. Despite its sports-car image, the engine range is more limited than the VW Golf's, with the base model 1.6L 8-valve engine 102 PS (75 kW), while the sports models are 1.5 FS2 with 150 PS (110 kW), the 2.0 TDI 140 PS (103 kW) Diesel and the 2.0 TFSI 185 PS (136 kW). All three engines offer a 6-speed manual transmission with the DSG semi-automatic gearbox as an optional extra. The 2.0 TFSI, although nippy and having a low list price, attracted only minimal attention and average reviews, hence it was removed from sale to make room for the sportier FR variants.
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