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 Out front the factory SEAT grill has been replaced by a badge less matte black mesh unit.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.
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Seat Exeo, revealed back in 2008 at the Paris Auto Show will get a new version: the ST (Sport Tourer). According to the company sales will begin before next summer with an engine range and equipment list that is identical to the for-door model. The only differences will be a longer body, at 4.666 metres in length, and a boot capacity of 442 litres.
The SEAT Exeo ST offer, as well as the sedan, includes six engine choices, three petrol and three Diesel equipped with common rail technology for the first time. The entire range complies with stringent EU5 emissions legislation, and is available in three trim levels – Reference, Style and Sport. Both versions will be manufactured at the company’s factory in Martorell, near Barcelona.
The new model features greater storage volume compared to the sedan by allowing objects to be loaded up to the ceiling. The Exeo ST is also equipped with an upper cargo net that increases safety by preventing objects from falling into the passenger compartment.
Press release after the jump.
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Bocanegra or “black mouth” in its native tongue was first used to describe the Spanish automaker SEAT’s 1200 Sport back in 1975. It was an affordable coupe with a striking blacked out front end. SEAT resurrected the nickname when they unveiled their Ibiza Bocanegra concept car at the Geneva Motor Show, today’s model, with upgraded technology and styling has just made its debut at the Barcelona Motor Show.
Gone are the R8 inspired wheels, brakes and LED style headlamps. However what’s left ain’t too shabby either. The physical upgrades to the SEAT hatch are a wide mouth front bumper, blacked out double projector headlamps and a reflective black plastic piece that ties the front end together. Housed inside of the blistered arches are a set of 17 inch Sira alloys. Inside the driver sits in some of the most stylish seats ever to be placed in a SEAT. This is one compact that is well deserving of the name hot-hatch, the Bocanegra will be powered by Volkswagen’s twin charged 1.4 Liter TSI engine, pumping out either 150 or 180 HP.
Press release after the jump.
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The SEAT Ibiza is Spain’s version of the Volkswagen Golf, and the budget minded five seater will be celebrating a quarter of a century with a special edition for the Barcelona International Motor Show. The 25th anniversary Ibiza will be available in either the sport coupe or 5 door bodies powered by a very economical 1.4 Liter four cylinder making 85 HP or a 105 HP 1.9 Liter TDI engine. Standard equipment consists of air conditioning, tinted windows, 17 inch rims and USB connectivity. The special edition is easily recognizable from the exterior thanks to unique “25th Anniversary” badges.
Press release after the jump.
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Seat added a new version to its Ibiza line-up: the 1.6 TDI CR engine in both its 5-door and SC versions. It will be available starting June.
The new engine develops 90 hp and will be placed between the current 80 hp 1.4 TDI and 105 hp 1.9 TDI engines and replaces the 90 hp 1.9 TDI engine. It is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
The new engine has a fuel consumption of only 4.2 l/100 km and an emission level of 109 g/km.
Press release after the jump.
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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.
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Seat will unveil at the Barcelona Motor Show the Ibiza FR, the latest addition to the Ibiza line-up. It is powered by a twin charger 1.4 TSI engine that delivers 150 hp mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles.
The Ibiza FR features new bumpers that lend a more aggressive appearance, featuring front honeycomb slats and a chrome surround on the central grille in combination with the Arrow Design concept. The FR version comes with silver colored door mirrors, 17" rims and twin tailpipe.
Standard equipment includes: ESP, TCS + EBA, ABS, Hill Hold Control, low tyre pressure warning, driver and passenger airbags, head-chest airbag, trip computer, cruise control, climate control, CD radio with MP3 + 6 speakers + Aux-in connection, sports suspension and cornering foglights, among other elements.
Press release after the jump.
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The Ibiza CUPRA is the fastest and most powerful addition to the Ibiza collection. It is powered by a 180 hp 1.4 TSI twin-charger engine mated to a seven speed DSG gearbox with levers on the steering wheel.
The new Ibiza CUPRA features an exclusive design with a spectacular front end where the “Arrow Design” concept lends maximum expressivity, especially due to the newly designed bumper, featuring the air intake vents surrounding the central grille, and the overall athletic looks, with its outstanding 17” alloy wheels, prominent shoulders that house the rear lights, and the newly designed, centrally placed trapezoid tailpipe.
The sport seats mold themselves around the driver. The sport suspension makes for an irresistibly active handling of the vehicle. The gas and break pedals are fitted with matte aluminum covers. The steering wheel and gearstick are finished in top quality leather. The folding door mirrors are in shiny black and bumpers match the body color.
Press release after the jump.
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Seat revealed today the first official images of the Ibiza SportCoupe that will make its world debut at the London Motor Show in July.
The Ibiza SportCoupe will be powered by 105 hp 1.6 liter engine mated by the new seven-speed DSG gearbox. This new, twin-clutch automatic transmission provides the Ibiza with greater acceleration. Besides, this system produces remarkable fuel consumption, since the seventh gear is ideal for long motoring trips.
The new three-door Ibiza has a length of 4.034 meters and mere 1.428 meter height to match its temperament, lending the car agility and comfort both in the city and on the motorway.
The new Ibiza SportCoupe will be manufactured exclusively at SEAT’s Martorell factory near Barcelona and will be available in three trim levels – Reference, Stylance and Sport, with an outstanding standard equipment list from the entry-level model. In the near future, the model’s ecological ECOMOTIVE, FR and Cupra versions will also make their appearance.
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The Seat Altea made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show and starting this week it went officially on sale. For 2009 the Altea will be offered in 5 different versions divided into two body styles, nine engine choices – five petrol and four Diesel, four gearboxes (5 and 6-speed manual, and 6 and 7-speed DSG), and three trim levels – Reference, Style and Sport.
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.
The entry level features: ABS and TCS, ESP with EBA, driver and passenger airbag, side airbags, head airbag, rear Isofix anchoring points, front power one-touch anti-trap windows, remote controlled central locking, tinted glass, 15 inch steel rims, 195/65 tyres, double headlights, anti-theft roof aerial. The Reference version adds: trip computer, CD radio + MP3 + 6 speakers + Aux in, low tyre pressure warning, air conditioning, body colour door mirrors and handles, front active headrests (on the Altea XL) and rear door folding shades (also on the Altea XL). The Sport trim is being offered with: dark glass, sport seats with specific upholstery, 17” ‘Aroa’ alloy rims, 225/45 tyres and sports suspension.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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