New Seat Leon - blink and you'd miss it?

Howitzer · 07-06-2009 11:27pm #1

Hi,

What do you think of the new leon?

Not much difference over the old one...

2009 with brilliant flappy paddle shifters... Jeremy Clarkson loves them...

older Leon

Interior still looks a bit grey / plasticky

Anyone ordering one?

See the new annoying advert at: http://seat.co.uk

edit: had to throw in another image -- still looks no different to 2006-2008 model...

AlienGav · 07-06-2009 11:43pm

Yowsa!!!

You put different headlight bulbs in a car... and hey presto you got a new model on your hands!

I get seasick looking at those leons, way too wavey looking for my liking! :eek:

Alanstrainor · 07-06-2009 11:45pm

Sure it's just an update, like the Mk4 fiesta and it's facelift model.

colm_mcm · 07-06-2009 11:48pm

not the first car to have a subtle facelift.

pburns · 08-06-2009 12:25am

It's not a 'new' anything rather a subtle facelift - happens all the time. I have elderly relatives who change their Corolla every 2 years on the dot for the 'new' model and can't tell the difference between 'facelift' and 'new'. Looks like the OP is similarly afflicted. Why beat up on the Leon over that?

Pointless post.

The Leon is probably the best of the current SEATs (not saying much). I still think this could have been a cool brand if they stuck to the cheap-yoof-Spanish Alfa vibe they almost got going in the early noughties.

L-M · 08-06-2009 12:28am

I actually like that Leon. As long as it's not basic, it looks well.

The Leon Cupra is another story then, cracker altogether.

Rowley Birkin QC · 08-06-2009 12:39am

Limerick man wrote: »

I actually like that Leon. As long as it's not basic, it looks well.

The Leon Cupra is another story then, cracker altogether.

Have to agree, saw mountains of them on the continent last year, that Cupra version is delicious. I'd have it over a GTi Golf any day.

L-M · 08-06-2009 12:42am

bigkev49 wrote: »

Have to agree, saw mountains of them on the continent last year, that Cupra version is delicious. I'd have it over a GTi Golf any day.

Aye, a basic GTI, ie. with no mods other than it comes standard with can be very boring. The Leon Cupra looks very well IMO,

Howitzer · 08-06-2009 12:44am

To me the advert is shouting like it's an all new car. I wouldn't even call it a facelift - more a change of lipstick!

I like the Leon - but why bring out such a tiny change that results in driving prices of the current stock down...

Pity there aren't a few more 1.4 TSI models on the second hand market here - I'd be interested in one

edit: ^^^ great looking version above - why not bring some of that through to the standard car.. ;-)

DanGerMus · 08-06-2009 12:45am

Ummmm... i got it i got it.... it's the alloys, do i get a prize?

L-M · 08-06-2009 12:47am

DanGerMus wrote: »

Ummmm... i got it i got it.... it's the alloys, do i get a prize?

No, but the alloys get one for the worst photoshop job! LOl

netwhizkid · 08-06-2009 12:49am

Boring... next!

bazz26 · 08-06-2009 1:18am

At least they didn't just put a Seat nose on an old model A3 and call it new.

EPM · 08-06-2009 8:30am

They could have done a lot more to be honest.

The biggest difference is the rear windows bigger and it gets the air con controls from the Golf/Octavia. The model pictured is an FR so the grey Paddy spec one below wont look a lot different.

Owen · 08-06-2009 8:47am

Howitzer wrote: »

To me the advert is shouting like it's an all new car. I wouldn't even call it a facelift - more a change of lipstick!

What's strange, is that the ad has been filmed with english actors, but the car's a LHD.

roosterman71 · 08-06-2009 10:12am

I thought the facelift model had a new front so it looked a little more like the new Ibiza? I think they call it the arrow design or something.

Also, that picture of the white Leon is the Cupra K1. Its the standard cupra with the aero bodykit on it. Its only available in the UK. In fact, its next to impossible to get a cupra here.

HashSlinging · 08-06-2009 11:44am

IMO I dont think they could have done a lot to improve the '06 model, I think that model pushed the design envelop in the right direction for SEAT it looks right from every angle...not many cars you can say that about (e.g. subaru) think this wouldn't even be called a facelift... more of a smoothing and rounding! its still nice & understated its also going to have cool daytime running lights..

Also getting the new 211 hp 2.0 TSI which is supposed to be a fantastic engine.

If its not broke dont fix it etc.

r3nu4l · 08-06-2009 11:50am

Are the doors more sculpted on the facelifted version? Seems like that from the picture...

Does this model have the new engines? Part of the A3 facelift late last year was that the car had the new Audi Common-rail diesel engine fitted, it's more frugal and a lot quieter than the older TDI. Maybe that's in the facelifted Seat?

EPM · 08-06-2009 11:55am

The FR is def getting common rail and the 1.6 CR diesel is also going to make an appearance in place of the 1.9 eventually. Not too sure if the PD 2.0 TDi is staying or being replaced with CR

HashSlinging · 08-06-2009 12:08pm

I presume all the 4 pot audi engines will be used (1.4T - 2.0 petrol and Diesel)

EPM · 08-06-2009 12:11pm

HashSlinging wrote: »

I presume all the 4 pot audi engines will be used (1.4T - 2.0 petrol and Diesel)

Aye, usual 1.4 and 1.6 (might not make it back here), 1.4T and the two 2.0T's. There's also a 1.8T but I dunno if it will be available here either. Rumors of an even more powerful Cupra (maybe Cupra R) too

McSpud · 08-06-2009 12:26pm

I noticed that in the UK Leon (2.0 TDI) is almost more expensive than the golf. There is little chance that a like for like Leon will be moe expensive than a golf in Ireland. Does this mean Irish drivers pick solid cars with low depreciation over the "sporty image"?

HashSlinging · 08-06-2009 12:57pm

Dunno is that a trick question, in the uk SEAT sales were up last time I checked.

EPM · 08-06-2009 12:59pm

Leon Spec is huge though for the money, and most Golfs will have a few extras whacked on. But Seat dealers are known for discounts on new cars in the UK

New Seat Leon - blink and you'd miss it?

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