Seat leon
Seat Leon Seat Leon
Clutching the doorknob of the 122-strong Seata-Leon and hanging on the seatbelt, with a bated breath I observe from my right seat as my colleague attacks the next bend of a profiled mountain road. Despite the asphalt moist after rain and high speed, the stabilization system only occasionally quietly interrupts our exchange of first impressions of the Spanish novelty. The opinion of the partner is interesting - he has the previous “Leon” with a similar engine.
While the companion sums up, my desire to put the phone on a charge has become a necessity. Alas, in the lower part of the console, where there used to be a USB input, now there is a small box, in the armrest there are only bare walls, in the glove compartment there is only a media-in connector. Unification with the models of Volkswagen and Audi is fine, but the appearance of a proprietary slot instead of a functional USB is its merciless manifestation.
Two-tone trim version of the "Style" looks especially advantageous. Ergonomics and quality of materials have no complaints
Two-tone trim version of the "Style" looks especially advantageous. Ergonomics and quality of materials have no complaints. Two-tone trim version of the "Style" looks especially advantageous. Ergonomics and quality of materials have no complaints.
Other similar features for the good. The architecture of the front of the cabin - the collective image of Audi models - looks great. Particularly good is the two-tone panel trim with a light bottom and a dark top in the “Style” set. Compared with the previous generation, scared by the abundance of hard plastic, the new interior is two steps forward. Concise, stylish shape, good materials, damn comfortable chairs and almost impeccable ergonomics. Signs of savings are found only upon close examination and come down to the absence of soft claddings of the glove compartment and compartments for small items, as well as the use of hard plastic in the decoration of doors and the bottom of the panel.
The touch screen with a diagonal of 5.8 inches and a motion sensor is exactly the same as on the Golf. But the Spaniards have their own interface and graphics
The touch screen with a diagonal of 5.8 inches and a motion sensor is exactly the same as on the Golf. But the Spaniards have their own interface and graphics. The touch screen with a diagonal of 5.8 inches and a motion sensor is exactly the same as on the Golf. But the Spaniards have their own interface and graphics.
I also liked the multimedia system with a touch screen and proximity sensor, though its diagonal is a modest 5 or 5.8 inches (depending on version). Ordering an optional 8 inches, like on Golf, is impossible for Leon.
I'm moving back. Having increased the wheelbase by 58 mm, the developers were able to push the sofa back by 14 mm, having reclaimed the space for the knees of the seated. Insignificant on paper, but tangible difference in practice! Only very tall or completely finicky ones complain about the lack of space.
The vast majority of riders will be comfortable, and individual air vents will make the trip more enjoyable. No less important is an increase of 39 liters to the boot volume - now it is 380-liter. Not bad, because the length of the car grew by only 52 mm.
The rear riders have separate duct deflectors
The rear riders have separate duct deflectors. The rear riders have separate duct deflectors.
VORTEX IN THE OCEAN
At the mountain pass, I got behind the wheel of a 1.4-liter Leon with mechanics, wishing that on such a technical section of the road I got a weak version. Despite the assurances of the partner that this engine was “driving”, a lack of power was felt even from the right seat.
It would seem that 122 forces and 200 N.m are enough for a pleasure ride, but the reality looks different. A motor with an even acceleration characteristic accelerates the hatchback strained and boring, unpleasantly howling at high speeds. Even a manual with excellent selectivity and clear lever moves does not save. Excitement here does not smell. Perhaps I was just fed up with faster cars? But it was enough to transfer only to the 140-horsepower “Leon” with an engine of the same volume, as emotions swept over with his head. The greater torque - 250 N.m. explains such a difference in sensations.
On-board computer display, you can display data on fuel consumption, estimated cruising range, speed readings, as well as tips from the navigation system
On-board computer display, you can display data on fuel consumption, estimated cruising range, speed readings, as well as tips from the navigation system. On-board computer display, you can display data on fuel consumption, estimated cruising range, speed readings, as well as tips from the navigation system.
With mechanics, 140 forces accelerate the Seat to hundreds in 8.2 seconds. I wish I could try the 1.8-liter 180-horsepower TSI! This engine promises to make the Leon, if not hot, then at least a very warm hatchback. In any case, the first buyers of the “Spaniard” will have to be content with the small ones: both power units will reach our market no earlier than autumn.
Alas, versions with a diesel engine, most likely, will not wait at all. But the 184-horsepower “Leon FR” with a 2-liter diesel engine is very fast and obedient. And this despite the fact that it is basically impossible to install adaptive shock absorbers available for the Golf on the Seat, and the Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual modes are responsible only for the steering force, the speed of response to the accelerator and the sound of the engine.
The mechanics pleased with the clear switchings, but I would like to shorten the leverage a little more
The mechanics pleased with the clear switchings, but I would like to shorten the leverage a little more. The mechanics pleased with the clear switchings, but I would like to shorten the leverage a little more.
So what do you say, partner? “Leon” is more accurate and sharper, rolls are less, and the ride is better than its predecessor!
CURRENT DYNAMICS
"Leon" did not become a clone of its German brothers, retained the clockwork character and driver's spark of powerful versions. It turns out that cars with different characters flow from the same platform and aggregates - a calm and solid A3, a balanced Golf and a bit messy, a little more noisy Leon. In the near future, MQB will form the basis of most models produced by Volkswagen: Polo, Beatle, Golf, Sirocco, Jetta, Tiguan, Sharan, Passat and Passat CC ". I hope that each of them, although floating along the modular flow, will also have a special character.
By the number of electronic assistants, the Leon is no worse than the Golf: systems for recognizing road signs, lane retention, automatic high beam control and determining driver fatigue are available
By the number of electronic assistants, the Leon is no worse than the Golf: systems for recognizing road signs, lane retention, automatic high beam control and determining driver fatigue are available. By the number of electronic assistants, the Leon is no worse than the Golf: systems for recognizing road signs, lane retention, automatic high beam control and determining driver fatigue are available.
Seat emphasizes the sporting image of its brand and does not hide the fact that from now on they rely on winning a young audience - people for whom emotions and a vibrant lifestyle are at the forefront. In Europe, they promise to even re-arrange all showrooms, painting the walls in catchy colors. Leon shares these values, and if you keep the base price at the level of the previous generation (about 600, 000 rubles), the novelty has every chance of becoming one of the brand’s hits.
ENERGY SAVING
9
The new “Leon” is the first in the class of compact cars to offer fully LED front optics, which do not use incandescent lamps. Thanks to the color temperature of 5500 K, the lighting resembles daylight as much as possible and does not cause eye strain. In addition, it consumes minimal energy - in the low beam mode, the LED headlight consumes only 20 watts. Such optics do not require maintenance and is designed for the entire life of the car.
A side view is the most conservative view. The headlights of the Seat are reminiscent of Audi A1, the window line of the rear window is the Mazda-3 of the first generation
A side view is the most conservative view. The headlights of the Seat are reminiscent of Audi A1, the window line of the rear window is the Mazda-3 of the first generation. A side view is the most conservative view. The headlights of the Seat are reminiscent of Audi A1, the window line of the rear window is the Mazda-3 of the first generation.
MANUFACTURER DATA
