Seat Leon: A 2024 Range with Many Innovations

In November 1999, SEAT introduced a new model named after the ancient city of Leon. Today, a quarter of a century later, in the same setting, the Spanish brand unveils several innovations, from the new e-HYBRID, a plug-in hybrid with over one hundred kilometers of fully electric range, to the "Special Edition" and "25th Anniversary" versions, along with a new 1.5 engine with 115 HP and enhanced equipment.

The most striking novelty in the SEAT Leon 2024 range is the new e-HYBRID. It replaces the previous plug-in hybrid with several advantages, although both offer 204 HP on paper. The first is that the 1.4 TSI engine with 150 HP gives way to a 1.5 TSI of equal power but larger displacement. The 85 kW electric motor remains unchanged, but the battery significantly increases its capacity: from 13 kWh gross capacity to a 25.7 kWh battery (19.7 kWh net capacity).

This increases the average range in electric-only mode according to the WLTP cycle from 63 to no less than 133 kilometers. Additionally, it now allows fast charging in direct current up to 50 kW, requiring only 26 minutes to recharge from 10 to 80%. It can also charge the battery at home with an 11 kW AC wallbox in just 2 hours and 30 minutes (0 to 100%).

In terms of performance, this PHEV version of the SEAT Leon accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.7 seconds, with the Sportstourer or estate body, in 7.9 seconds.

Thanks to its Zero emissions label and state subsidies, it can benefit from up to 10,000 euros in discounts (up to 7,000 euros from the MOVES program by scrapping a used vehicle, and up to 3,000 euros in IRPF tax deduction).

The mechanical innovations are not limited to the plug-in hybrid Leon, the most powerful variant. The entry-level engine to micro-hybrid technology now includes the new 1.5 eTSI petrol engine with 115 HP (85 kW) DSG instead of the more efficient 1.0 eTSI with 110 HP. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds (10.7 seconds in the Sportstourer) and has a reduced consumption of between 5.3 and 5.8 liters/100 km (in the Sportstourer: 5.3 and 5.9 l/100km). This engine is available in the Style and FR trims, as well as in the '25th Anniversary' version (Style and FR).

The next level is occupied by the 1.5 eTSI 150 HP (110 kW) DSG engine, available in the 'Special Edition' versions, along with the Style or FR trims. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, and its combined consumption is between 5.4 and 5.8 liters per 100 km. With the Sportstourer body, it goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and consumes between 5.4 and 5.9 l/100 km.

All mechanical options are available in both the five-door variant and the Sportstourer estate, and are always paired as standard with the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, with seven gears in the eTSI and six speeds in the e-HYBRID.

The SEAT Leon e-HYBRID not only stands out for its new engine but also for incorporating front optics with matrix technology. This technology allows driving with high beams on at all times without dazzling other drivers, thanks to the switching on and off of the different independent LED segments, which turn on or off to create dynamic shadows on objects on the road, both of vehicles preceding the model and those traveling in the opposite direction. The Matrix LED lighting also improves in terms of optical performance compared to Full LED headlights, with 900 lumens with low beam (600 lm in Full LED headlights), and 1,000 lm with high beams (450 lm in Full LED).

The Matrix LED headlights, standard on the Leon e-HYBRID, are also available in other versions of this model. Regarding the Leon's trim offer, as standard equipment across the range now includes traffic sign recognition and front and rear parking sensors, or the autonomous lane change assistant, included in the connected Travel Assistant, which allows Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, standard with the navigator and the 12.9'' (32.7 cm) screen, and in versions with DSG automatic transmission.

Inside, we find an improved human-machine interface (HMI), which has been implemented both in the customizable Digital Cockpit instrument cluster of 10.25 inches, as well as in the infotainment system with screens that grow —10.4 inches standard in the Style trim (previously 8.25 inches), and 12.9 inches standard in the FR or optional in the Style—. This large screen is therefore standard in the e-HYBRID version.

Beneath both screens, a backlit slider control is now included, and to power mobile phone batteries, the SEAT Leon offers a new wireless charging system, which is now faster thanks to its 15W power, and incorporates cooling technology to prevent the mobile device from overheating.

Regarding the SEAT Leon's trim offer, the e-HYBRID version is exclusively offered with the sporty FR trim, as it is the most powerful option within the Leon range. Meanwhile, the mild-hybrids can be chosen in the Style and FR trims and are also available with the '25th Anniversary' and 'Special Edition' versions.

The '25th Anniversary' versions are exclusively available with the new 1.5 TSI petrol engine with 115 HP (85 kW) and a six-speed manual transmission, which improves its efficiency by 5% compared to the previous 1.0 TSI block with 110 HP it replaces. On the other hand, the '25th Anniversary' versions are also available with 48 V Mild Hybrid technology, with the 1.5 eTSI engine with 115 HP (85 kW) and DSG automatic transmission. Both mechanical options, associated with the '25th Anniversary' versions of the SEAT Leon, can be chosen with either the Style or FR trim, and increase the level of equipment by including elements that, in the general range of the model, are found in the highest trims, belonging to the XL or XXL packages.

On the other hand, the 'Special Edition' versions are also available, which, in addition to integrating a high level of equipment, also in the Style and FR trims, as with the '25th Anniversary', are offered with more powerful engines. On one hand, the 1.5 TSI petrol block with 150 HP (110 kW) and manual transmission, and on the other, the eTSI with 48 V Mild Hybrid technology, with 150 HP (110 kW) and DSG transmission.

The SEAT Leon is a 100% Spanish product, designed, developed, and manufactured at the company's plant in Martorell. The compact car is a clear example of the brand's determination to offer the latest in technology and steer towards a more environmentally friendly future. It is also worth noting the up to 10-year warranty that the brand offers across the entire SEAT range.