Seat Leon ST, 2014
The new SEAT Leon ST demonstrates that thrilling sporting character and exceptional everyday usability do not have to be mutually exclusive. The third member of the Leon family combines the young, dynamic design and the precise handling of its siblings with an amazing degree of utility. Like every Leon, the ST displays an impressive level of craftsmanship and premium materials. The luggage space of the 4,535 mm compact estate car offers excellent variability and the very best functionality down to the last detail. It has a load capacity of 587 litres, rising to as much as 1,470 litres with the rear seat backrests folded - meaning that even the big items of everyday life are best accommodated in the SEAT Leon ST.
"Nobody has to choose anymore between sporty and practical. The new Leon ST offers both," says Jürgen Stackmann, President and CEO of SEAT S.A. "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 design of the SEAT Leon ST continues the emotional SEAT design language, as well as its high level of quality in materials and workmanship. The line-up of state-of-the-art engines is extremely broad, with the power spectrum of TDI and TSI drives ranging from 63 kW (86 PS) to 135 kW (184 PS).
The exceptionally efficient New 1.6 TDI Ecomotive with 81 kW (110 PS) achieves fuel consumption of just 3.2 litres per 100 km in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), equating to a CO2 figure of only 85 grams per km.
The new estate from SEAT handles every bit as precisely and dynamically as the Leon and Leon SC. Beyond the Reference and Style equipment lines, the high-performance FR variant underscores the leading position it holds among sporty compact estate cars.
The extensive range of hi-tech options such as the full-LED headlamps is expanded by the ACC adaptive cruise control with proximity radar and DCC adaptive chassis control with variable damper adjustment. The optional progressive steering enables a high degree of control under sporty driving conditions.
The Design - further accentuated
The much applauded design language of the Leon range has been further accentuated for the ST. Here, too, sculpted lines along the sides deliver a thrilling interplay of light and shade. The estate also features the same sharp lines and precise edges that communicate energy and vitality. The new estate adds a whole new dimension to the Leon family - the dynamic silhouette looks taut and elegant, yet the SEAT Leon ST offers comprehensive utility for work and leisure, family and sport.
The side view of the new SEAT Leon ST displays harmonious yet exciting proportions. This includes a balanced relationship between metal (2/3) and glass surface (1/3). This clear division accentuates the solidity and underscores the refined stance of the elegant estate car. The slight taper of the side window surfaces towards the rear emphasises the feeling of spaciousness, which can be further enhanced by the optional panorama glass roof. The standard roof rail accentuates the gentle tension of the roofline.
The extra 27 centimetres added to the rear end provide some indication of the generous estate luggage space available within, while the low rear windscreen and muscular shoulders emphasise the car's dynamic character. With its even more expressive design front and rear, the FR variant of the Leon ST brings whole new meaning to the term sports estate.
Space and versatility
Despite its uniquely dynamic design, the new Leon ST is surprisingly spacious and exceptionally versatile. The load capacity stands at 587 litres in the standard configuration, rising to as much as 1,470 litres with the rear seat backrests folded. Furthermore, certain equipment variants can also accommodate extra-long loads by folding forward the passenger seat backrest, giving a maximum load length of 2.5 metres. The ST also offers a host of further functional equipment details that considerably enhance its everyday usability. The rear seat backrests, for instance, are very easy to fold forward from the boot. The Boot Pack includes a double load floor, that makes loading and unloading particularly easy, and comes with more features like the bag hooks for bringing order to the boot.
The Family Pack incorporates retractable sun shades for the rear doors and folding tables on the rear of the front-seat backrests.
The Bodyshell - Systematic lightweight design
Overall, the SEAT Leon ST weighs just 45 kilograms more than the comparable five-door model. A clear consequence of a systematic lightweight design leading also to extremely good fuel consumption figures. In the base version, the Leon ST has a kerb weight of just 1,233 kilograms, making it the lightest estate car in its class. If it is to offer optimum safety and the best possible comfort, a bodyshell has to be solid. An intelligent structure guarantees that the vehicle remains light and efficient. Solid and light - SEAT set itself this challenge, and equipped the new SEAT Leon ST with a state-of-the-art body-in-white.
In order to maintain optimum value-for-money, the decision was taken to forego cost-intensive materials like magnesium and carbon fibre - instead, many places feature high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels. These hot-formed hi-tech steels alone reduce the weight by 18 kilograms, while providing even greater stiffness to the occupant cell.
The body-in-white of the five-door variant of the Leon is lighter than the preceding model by no less than 25 kilograms. And for the new Leon ST, too, systematic lightweight design was implemented across all elements of the vehicle. Thus, a great many parts in the engines, chassis and interior also make a contribution to weight reduction.
