What's the news?
SEAT has given the popular Leon hatch (and indeed estate) a mild round of mid-life updates and the revised versions will go on sale in January.
The exterior revisions are subtle in the extreme - limited to new bumpers, a slightly altered grille and new lights. According to SEAT Design Director Alejandro Mesonero Romanos: "the Leon is a very attractive model and it isn't necessary to change its image, only reinforce it, refresh it. The objective is to harmonise all parts of the model, in particular the front and the rear with the sides of the car".
If the styling isn't all that different then at least the Leon is getting some new technology. Versions with active cruise control will now be available with Traffic Jam Assist, which will automatically flow with slow moving traffic at speeds of up to 60kmh. Other new equipment includes a new central console with Electric Parking Brake, Traffic Sign Recognition and the most advanced parking assist technology with both bay and parallel parking, emergency assist and high beam assist. The camera and navy system have been improved, to now recognise a higher number of traffic signs.
There's also the option of a new, larger touch screen that comes with a slick new menu layout (already seen in the new Ateca SUV) and such things as gesture control and more smartphone connectivity.
The Leon will also now be available with SEAT's posh XCELLENCE trim, which has optional leather seats, more chrome, LED lights and keyless entry.
There are some small updates on the engine front, including the availability of the 115hp 1.0 three-cylinder TSI petrol engine as an entry level mode and an updated 1.4 CGI engine, which can also run on compressed natural gas. The 1.2 TSI petrol and 1.6 TDI diesel will remain the primary engines for the Irish market.