Spanish car maker SEAT is on a sales roll at the moment with its best-selling Leon range being treated to a technological boost.
While the cars might have only subtle differences on the outside, they now boast the latest Volkswagen Group technology inside their stylish, well-built, spacious interiors.
So in come a raft of systems from one that can accelerate, brake and steer automatically in traffic jams to another that spots traffic signs and displays them in the dashboard, and another that monitors your steering and warns you to take a break if you are getting tired.
That’s not to mention radar-controlled active cruise control that can automatically brake for you and a wireless phone charger with a built-in signal booster.
With prices starting at £17,455, the refreshed Leon range spans everything from a three-door coupe and five-door hatchback to an ST estate version. Mix in no fewer than six trim levels, including a new luxury Xcellence specification, a choice of five petrol and three diesel engines and there is choice aplenty.
One of the unexpected highlights of a day spent in the Cotswolds driving the new cars was the sprightliness of the 1.0-litre, turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine. The newcomer to the range delivers 115 horsepower, the same as an uprated 1.6-litre turbodiesel.
SEAT expects the 1.6 TDI 115 and the 1.4 EcoTSI to be its best-selling models, blending as they do competitive prices with driver appeal and a host of new technology.
But for sheer, heart-pumping thrills the high-performance Cupra, with prices starting at just over £30,000, sits growling at the top of the range.
The Leon changes start a real blitz of new models from SEAT. While its compact sports utility vehicle, the Ateca, has been generating the highest levels of customer interest that the brand has ever seen, there is much more to come.
The striking next-generation Ibiza will soon be followed by the Arona, a baby brother to the Ateca.
And next year the company plans to launch a new seven-seat, large sports utility vehicle.
Busy times for the Barcelona-based business.
Auto facts
Model: SEAT Leon FR 1.4 EcoTSI 150
Price: £21,350
Insurance group: 19E (1-50)
Fuel consumption (combined): 57.6mpg
Top speed: 134mph
Length: 424.6cm/167.1in
Width: 181cm/71.2n
Luggage capacity: 13.4 cu ft
Fuel tank capacity: 11 gallons/50 litres
CO2 emissions: 114 g/km
Warranty: Three years/ 60,000 miles
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