The new Seat brand has officially been launched in South Africa, with sporty fun being Volkswagen SA’s key considerations for its latest addition.The new Seat brand has officially been launched in South Africa, with sporty fun being Volkswagen SA’s key considerations for its latest addition.
CAR photojournalist Ian McLaren was among the first in the world to drive the new Leon FR, recently unveiled at the Madrid Motor Show, and an integral part of the sporty Seat’s line-up.
The Golf 5-based Leon will lead the three-pronged attack, with its athletically proportioned body previewing the new design trademarks of the Seat range. Designed by former Alfa Romeo designer, and head of Audi’s design studio, Walter de’Silva, the Leon has some striking Alfa design touches, including the concealed rear door handles found on the 156. As on all new Seat’s the large "S" in the centre of the bootlid doubles as a boot release handle.
The Leon is underpinned by the Agile Chassis currently used across the Seat range. The suspension system was developed at the manufacturer’s Matorell plant and uses softer coils, shorter shock absorbers, special NVH filters and more responsive steering for a sportier response. Virtually all aspects, including the suspension, brakes, steering, and even the fuel tank, have been addressed and improved upon, the manufacturer said.
The McPherson strut at the front is now mounted on an aluminium sub-chassis, while an independent four-arm multilink system is used on the rear axle. New anti-roll bars have been fitted at the front (23,6 mm) and rear (21,7 mm), and shock absorber and spring settings are dependent on the engine.
The most exciting model in the Leon line-up is undoubtedly the FR’s 147-kW 2,0-litre TFSI engine. Peak torque of 280 N.m is available between 1 800 and 5 000 r/min, and the car sprints from zero-to-100 km/h in 7,2 seconds. Top speed for the performance model is 240 km/h.
The normally-aspirated two-litre with FSI direct injection dispatches 110 kW and peak torque of 200 N.m, while the 2,0-litre TDI direct injection turbodiesel delivers 103 kW and a maximum torque figure of 320 N.m.
Six-speed gearboxes are standard, while the tiptronic automatic transmission is available on the 2,0 FSI and the 2,0 TDI gets optional DSG.
Steering is electro-mechanical, with power assistance varied to match the car’s speed and steering wheel angle.
Leon’s list of safety features is extensive, and includes ESP, EBA, and a Driver Steering Recommendation (DSR) system that helps the driver keep the correct course in an emergency situation. The traction control system now incorporates ABS, EBD and wheel-slip regulation. Six airbags are standard in the passenger compartment.
Features include an integrated Bluetooth phone system, allowing drivers to manage their calls and address books via the steering wheel and multifunction control levers.
Headlamp, rain, and rear parking sensors are available too, as are an auto dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control, a trip computer, and a follow-me-home light function.
Prices for these models are:
Leon 2,0 FSI manual R213 000
Leon 2,0 TDI manual R232 000
Leon 2,0 TDI DSG R245 500
Leon 2,0 FR R235 000
Next up, the stylish Ibiza is the most successful Seat model yet, and the recently facelifted version is offered here, with "major improvements" to its exterior and interior features.
The different trim settings – Sport, FR and Cupra – determine the increased levels of development (and sportiness) to the Agile Chassis. The front suspension uses independent McPherson struts anchored on a three-piece subframe, while a twist beam axle is used at the rear.
Five engines are used across the Ibiza range. The flagship Cupra uses 132-kW turbocharged 1,8-litre engine (familiar from the previous Golf GTI) with 245 N.m at 1 950 r/min and a zero-to-100 km/h sprint time of 7,3 seconds. Top speed on this model is 230 km/h and the engine is mated with a five-speed manual gearbox.
The naturally aspirated 2,0 Sport produces 85 kW and is also mated with a five-speed manual transmission.
Two performance turbodiesel engines are offered. The 1,9-litre TDI in the Cupra uses a variable geometry turbo charger and intercooler to produce 118 kW and 330 N.m of peak torque at 1 900 r/min.
Alternatively, the Ibiza FR produces 96 kW and 310 kW of torque at 1 900 r/min. The turbodiesels use 5,5 and five litres / 100 km respectively, and both are mated with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Safety features include twin front and side airbags, ABS, EBA, and traction control. All models are also equipped with three-point anchoring seatbelts for all five seats, while the front seatbelts have pyrotechnic pre-tensioners. Child safety includes switchable airbags and two standard Isofix connectors for child seats.
Ibiza prices are:
Ibiza 2,0 Sport five-door R154 250
Ibiza 1,9 TDI FR five-door R182 400
Ibiza 1,9 TDI Cupra three-door R193 950
Ibiza 1,8T Cupra three-door R199 700
And finally, the family-friendly Altea MPV provides room for five with extra space and should prove useful when you need to be somewhere in a hurry.
The Altea "family car" was the first SEAT to be wholly developed within the Audi Brand Group since its establishment in 2002. Despite its compact dimensions, the functional MPV offers a roomy cabin area, with more than 30 storage compartment
