FIRST: Leon ST is first estate in range
Seat have unveiled the new Leon ST – the first ever estate in the range.
The Spanish manufacturer claims the new addition ‘retains the youthfulness, dynamic design and sporty characteristics of the five-door and SC models, but adds exceptional practicality’.
It boasts a 587litre boot, with load capacity upped to 1,470litres when the rear seats are folded flat.
Seat are also expanding the options already available within the model, introducing Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) damper adjustment and Progressive Steering.
Jurgen Stackmann, President and CEO of Seat S.A, said: “Nobody has to choose anymore between sporty and practical.
“The new Leon ST offers both.
“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.”
The engine range available for the Leon SC is the same as that for the five-door and SC versions.
All have Start/Stop and Energy Recovery systems, from the 1.2 TSI petrol and 1.6 TDI diesel, right up to the 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TDI.
The 1.2 TSI 105PS engine returns 57.6 mpg, while the state-of-the-art 1.4 TSI 140PS runs returns 53.3 mpg.
At the top of the petrol line-up is the 1.8 TSI engine, available in FR trim only, delivering 180PS and 250Nm of torque.
The entry-level diesel model is the 1.6 TDI with 105PS and a strong 250Nm of torque.
Meanwhile, the 2.0 TDI with 150PS and 320Nm of torque provides powerful propulsion, despite emitting just 106 g/km CO2 and returning 68.9 mpg.
A sporty highlight is the 2.0 TDI with 184PS and 380Nm of torque – another FR exclusive – which achieves 65.7mpg.
Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Head of Design at Seat, said: “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.
“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.”
The new DCC system offers three different driving modes that can be selected via the Seat Drive Profile.
In ‘Sport’ mode, the Leon ST is more agile, while the estate is more comfortable in the ‘Comfort’ setting of the DCC system.
The optional Dynamic Pack includes DCC and Progressive Steering, which reduces steering effort when parking and boosting handling.
Meanwhile, the new radar-based ACC system maintains the specified speed and a pre-set distance, automatically accelerating and decelerating in flowing traffic.
Safety technology includes Multi-Collision Brake, Tiredness Recognition and Lane Assist, while the SEAT Easy Connect infotainment operating system offers full Bluetooth phone and music connectivity.
