SEAT TAKES THE LEAD IN VALUE WITH ITS NEW LEON FIVE-DOOR HATCHBACK RANGE INCLUDES THE MOST POWERFUL NEW CAR AVAILABLE FOR UNDER £16,000 ENTRY LEVEL 1.4 S PRICED AT £10,995

SEAT’s 50th birthday year really gathers pace on 10th April when the Spanish company launches its new nine model Leon range, prices of which will start at just £10,995 for the 1.4 S through to £17,995 for the luxuriously equipped 180 bhp 20VT Cupra.

Even more exciting is the news that there’ll be a second 20VT model, the 180 bhp Sport, which will be the most powerful car available in the UK for less than £16,000.

The five-door León is an addition to the SEAT line-up. True to the marque’s traditions, the León will bring design flair and individuality to the Focus/Astra class and set new standards for quality, equipment and value.

The new SEAT’s styling immediately sets it apart from its competitors. Looking both classy and sporty, the León continues the new SEAT design themes which began with the launch of the Toledo. A prominent single ‘nostril’ grille bearing the company’s "S" logo and narrow headlights with dark surrounds make the León’s frontal styling stand out. At the rear, the León is distinguished by its short overhang giving the car a squat, muscular look. Other styling features include the boot-mounted SEAT logo which doubles as the opening handle and a high-mounted, colour-coded rear spoiler that’s fitted to all versions.

£15,995 180 bhp 20VT Sport headlines range
The León 20VT Sport is unique. No other new car offers the combination of five-door versatility, a comprehensive equipment level which includes a six-speed gearbox, and the performance of a 180 bhp engine at a price of under £16,000.

It will accelerate to 62 mph in just 7.7 seconds and where legal, can attain a maximum speed of 142 mph. In-gear acceleration is also rapid due to a peak torque figure of 235 Nm that’s available from just 1950 rpm all the way through to 5500 rpm and which can be all the better enjoyed thanks to a six speed manual gearbox. Naturally this powerful front-wheel drive car is equipped with traction control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. The similarly powered 20VT Cupra goes one stage further with standard ESP, or electronic stability programme.

The León 20VT doesn’t shout its performance potential with just 16" multi-spoke alloy wheels, lowered suspension, twin chromed rear exhausts and a discrete rear badge to distinguish it from other models in the range. The extrovert, though, can specify yellow paint. In terms of equipment, despite its technical specification and £15,995 price, the León 20VT Sport wants for little as the following list of major standard features proves:

• driver and front seat passenger airbags, side airbags
• anti-lock brakes, EBD and TCS traction control
• 16" alloy wheels
• fully electronic air conditioning
• remote control central locking with alarm
• electric front and rear windows
• electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors with electric fold-in facility
• height adjustable, front sports seats and sports interior trim
• front fog lamps

Or for an additional £2000, the Leon 20VT Cupra adds the following features:

• rain sensitive automatic windscreen wipers plus automatically dimming rear view mirror
• 6 CD autochanger
• electronic stability programme
• leather upholstery
• electrically adjustable front seats
• optional 5" colour screen navigation system available at £1795

León 1.4 S priced at £10,995 but lacks for little in equipment
The entry-level León 1.4 S is possibly the most stylish five-door hatchback in its class and is also one of the best equipped. Powered by an all-aluminium, 16 valve 75 bhp 1.4-litre engine, this León is certainly economical with an average fuel consumption 42.8 mpg - acceleration to 62 mph takes 14.3 seconds.

More impressive is the standard of its interior which is just as superbly constructed as that of the 20VT Cupra, sharing quality touches such as damped action grab handles and a dashboard that wouldn’t disgrace an executive car costing thousands of pounds more. The 1.4 S equipment list will also surprise - especially when its price tag of £10,995 is remembered. Here are the main features:

• driver and front seat passenger airbags, side airbags
• anti-lock brakes and EBD (electronic brake-force distribution)
• height and reach adjustable steering wheel
• three 3-point rear seatbelts and three rear head restraints
• height adjustable driver and front passenger seats
• electric front windows
• remote control central locking
• exterior temperature gauge
• 12V power socket in hatchback area and split folding rear seats
• three year unlimited mileage warranty
• 12 year anti-perforation warranty

Manual or electronic air conditioning standard on every León except 1.4 S
The S trim level as detailed above is also available with a choice of 1.6-litre 100 bhp petrol or 1.9-litre TDI 90 bhp diesel engines. Prices are £11,995 and £13,195 respectively. The 1.6-litre is also offered with four speed automatic transmission at £12,845.

Standard equipment for these three models is as for the 1.4 S with one very important addition: manual air conditioning.

Luxurious SE trim with standard sports suspension
Fitting in above the S in the León range is the SE which is offered with three different engines: the 1.6-litre 100 bhp (£13,995) and 1.8-litre 20 valve 125 bhp (£14,795) petrol engines, and the 1.9-litre TDI 110 bhp diesel unit (£15,595). To differentiate the SE from the S, SEAT has thrown in yet more standard equipment.

For many, the most important difference will be sports suspension which lowers the car all round by 15 mm. This makes the León look more muscular and also gives the car even sharper handling without spoiling its ride comfort. Electronic air conditioning is another unusual difference, especially in a family-sized car priced from £13,995. The list below details all the SE additions over the S:

• sports suspension
• fully electronic air conditioning
• 15" alloy wheels with 195/65 tyres
• sports front seats and sports interior trim
• leather-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel
• rear electric windows
• alarm
• electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors with electric fold-in facility
• EDS traction control

The 1.6 SE will accelerate to 62 mph in 11.4 seconds, the 1.8 20V SE in 10.3 seconds while the most economical model in the range is the TDI 110 SE with a combined fuel consumption of 54.3 mpg.

Despite the attractiveness of these models, SEAT expects - unusually in this class - that the quickest León, the 180 bhp 20VT Sport, will be the most sought after model in the range. No wonder, really, given its specification and price.