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Next Seat Leon will get hybrid and electric versions 
The Leon has always been Seat’s most successful model and it seems the same thing may be said with the next generation. According to rumors circulating today, Seat will use the next Leon as the guinea pig to offer its first hybrid and electric cars. Not a surprising statement considering the ties Seat has with Volkswagen and its Golf model. The Seat Leon was based off the VW Golf and with the Golf entering the world of electric mobility, it would be an easy transition for the Leon to make. Seat is currently testing the first plug-in hybrid version of the Leon, known as Twin Drive, and a production version will follow in 2012 when this next Leon will be revealed. The Spanish manufacturer is also preparing an electric version that is rumored to use the same drivetrain as the IBE concept. This concept operates in a lithium-ion battery which works in conjunction with the drive motor and power electronics. As for the design for the next generation Leon, it will be inspired by the IBE concept’s short, low, and wide shape. It will be offered in three and five-door hatchback variants, with a station wagon version also being a possibility. Seat Leon Cupra R by JE Design
JE Design is wasting little time tuning Seat Leon Cupras left and right. After already providing us with the finely-tuned Seat Leon Cupra, they’re at it again after turning their attention to the more Cupra’s more powerful version, the Cupra R. The new tuning package will focus on improving both cars’ aerodynamics and performance. The standard version of the Cupra R allows a total of 265 hp, but JE Design tuned the engine to an impressive 330 hp and 420 NM. Unfortunately, they did not reveal how this will improve the car’s performance. The tuning package also includes: a complete bodykit, lowered springs or coilovers, multispoke alloy-wheels, sport-exhaust systems, and exclusive leather interior. Video: Seat wants you to show them your best freestyle soccer video to win an incredible prizeWe always hate it when errant soccer balls end up dinging up our cars but when you have someone like freestyle soccer player - and world record-holder - Dan Magness doing the kicking, the anger turns into something along the lines of amazement. As part of a contest to win a VIP trip for two to the UEFA Europa League Final in Hamburg, Germany, Seat is inviting everyone who have any semblance of soccer skills to upload their own freestyle football videos As inspiration, Seat invited Magness to demonstrate his remarkable soccer skills by attempting to kick a soccer ball into the open rear window of a Leon Cupra R hatchback that is consistently moving at a distance. Magness had five shots at the car and made three of them - not what we expected but impressive nevertheless.
Seat Leon FR by Je Design
Je Design revealed a new tuning package for the 2010 Seat Leon FR. The package upgrades both performance and styling upgrades and is available for both petrol and diesel versions. For the petrol version, the TFSI-engine has been upgraded to deliver a total of 270 hp and 355 NM. As a result, the 0 to 60 mph sprint is now made in 6.2 seconds. For the diesel version, the tuner has added a Can-Tronic boosts that updates the output to 204 hp and the torque to 380 NM. The 0 to 60 mph sprint went down to 7.6 seconds. The aerodynamics package includes: bold headlight blends, LED daytime running lights, front spoiler with the double lip, side skirts, rear skirt attachment, center diffuser attachment, four-pipe exhaust system and 19inch wheels. Press release after the jump. Full story 2010 Seat Leon Cupra R
The Spanish arm of the Volkswagen family, Seat has just added a new version to its sporty Leon lineup of hot hatches to make the all new factory tuned Seat Leon Cupra R the most powerful vehicle in the automaker’s history because it is powered by a 2.0 Liter TSI engine that produces a maximum output of 265 HP that allows the Spanish sports car to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6.2 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 155 MPH.  The car’s increased performance under the hood is only accentuated by the new ten spoke 19 inch rims that are actually five pair of skinny split spokes that hide the large red brake calipers behind them. Both the front grill and rear hatch get a distinctive R badge complete with trailing checkered flag to let the world know that this is a special kind of Leon Cupra no matter whether you are coming at it head on or watching the Seat get smaller and smaller as it zooms on by.  The interior of the Seat Leon Cupra R is upgraded with a sporty set of bucket seats wrapped in grippy grey Alcantara upholstery, while the instrument cluster is lit up by a series of white LEDs. As far as the drivers tactile connection to the car is concerned, Seat has fitted the most powerful Cupra with a leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel and some sporty aluminum pedals to make this car look as good as it goes. UPDATE 06/21/2010: Just nine months after we got a first look at the new Seat Leon Cupra R, it has gone on sale in the UK. The new Cupra R gets a four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that has 261 horsepower. That is a massive 10 percent more than the old Leon Cupra. Press release after the jump. Full story Seat leon Cupra by JE Design
The German tuning firm JE Design has a long history modifying every member of the Volkswagen Family, all the way from Audi to Skoda. Well the small design house has just released details on their latest customization package for the Spanish built Seat Leon Cupra, a car that won the FIA World Touring Car Championship outright in 2008 with a TDI power plant. The new package from JE Design adds a bit of that attitude from the race car to the ordinary lion’s performance and styling.  On the outside JE keeps things simple with a straight forward ground effects package starting off with a front spoiler to close off the bottom of the Cupra’s wide mouth front bumper. This if followed by a pair of sculpted side skirts that bring the body closer to the ground visually and add some extra scoops to the Seat’s body. Out back JE Design incorporates a rear skirt attachment and diffuser inserts with a wild wing on top to transform the Cupra into a truly hot hatch. Not wanting to leave the Leon all show and no go, so JE upgraded TSFI power plant to make a maximum out of 285 HP and 283 lb-ft of torque. This allows the Seat Leon Cupra to go from 0 to 60 MPH in only 5.9 seconds, half a second faster then the factory version, while the car’s top speed is raised to a tested 162 MPH. Press release after the jump. Full story 2009 Seat Leon by Je Design
The artisans from J.E. Design have unleashed their paintbrushes on another one of the European exclusive members of the Volkswagen Family. The SEAT Leon recently underwent some reconstructive surgery in order to give the Spanish sports car a facelift. J.E. takes the entire process a step further with a complete reworking of the Leon’s exterior. The tuners started out with a ground effects kit consisting of a set of side skirts as well as new front and rear aprons that bring the body closer to the road. Out front the factory SEAT grill has been replaced by a badge less matte black mesh unit. Above the driver’s head sits a rally inspired roof scoop which is quite possibly more about form than function, and finishing off the bodywork, J.E. has added a very racy rear wing. J.E. equips the Leon with their signature rim in sizes ranging from 17 inches to 19 inches in diameter. Wheel gap is decreased thanks to a set of sport lowering springs, but even more ride height adjustment is available with a set of J.E. Design coil-overs. Finishing off the tuning package is a free flowing stainless steel exhaust that gives off a distinguished roar to let people know that something special is approaching. As soon as the new Leon hits the market, J.E. will be waiting with their aero kit. Press release after the jump. Full story
2009 Seat Leon Cupra
Want an Audi S3, but can’t swing the cash? Well then the Volkswagen Group’s Spanish bargain-basement brand may be able to help. There is one catch: just like the S3, this car is not available in the U.S.  The Seat Leon shares a platform with the Volkswagen Golf and the Audi A3, so bolting the S3’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine to make a Leon Cupra was an easy fix. Audi fans don’t get too scared, while the Leon Cupra makes 240 hp, the S3’s price premium buys an extra 21 hp. The S3 also keeps the quattro all-wheel drive system exclusive. Instead the Leon Cupra keeps the front wheel drive setup of the lesser models, but that does also include XDS and ESP traction control/performance enhancing systems. The whole package is good for a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 153 mph. Press release after the jump. Full story
2009 Seat Leon
First revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, the 2009 Leon features even more personality and extensive technological improvements. For 2009 the Leon is being offered in 19 different versions with nine different engines, five petrol and four Diesel, four different gearboxes (five and six-speed manual, and six and seven-speed DSG), and three trim levels – Reference, Style and Sport, in addition to a new entry version and the sportiest FR model.  The base version is powered by a 1,4 liters four-cylinders engine that delvers 85 hp; next is a 1,6 petrol engine with 102 hp; a 1,4 TSI four-cylinder turbo-charged engine with 125 hp. The FR version gets a 2.0 TSI engine with 211 hp.  The diesel line-up include: a 2.0-litre, four cylinder engine that delivers 170 hp, a 140 hp 2.0 TDI, 90 hp 1.9 TDI with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the 105 hp 1.9 TDI with 5-speed manual or 6-speed DSG, and the 105 hp 1.9 TDI ECOMOTIVE, with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Full details in the press release after the jump. Full story
2009 Seat Leon and Altea
Seat announced the debut of the facelift version of the Leon and Altea at the Geneva Motor Show. In the same way as the fourth generation Ibiza and the new Exeo, the Arrow Design concept defines the exterior looks of the 2009 León and Altea. They both clearly reflect the silhouettes of the previous models, but contain interesting new design details.  The broad engine range on the new León, Altea and Altea XL models includes a total of 10 different choices – five petrol and five Diesel. They have all undergone a significant evolution in every aspect, with special mention to performance and a reduction in fuel consumption figures and emissions levels.  The powerful 211 hp 2.0 TSI engine steals the spotlight in the petrol engine range, while the great novelty among the Diesel choices is the arrival of common rail technology to the 170 hp 2.0 TDI engine. Furthermore, all the versions equipped with the DSG automatic sequential gearbox, now also available on the seven-speed 160 hp 1.8 TSI, feature shift paddles on the steering wheel. Press release after the jump. Full story
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