Automotive: Seat Leon FR One 1.5 eTSI 150 test drive, talk to her!

Since the top of the final century, Leon proudly boasts on the roads of the world the title of town within the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. However, the tireless ambassador of Seat has all the time saved the accent of Martorell, her monumental Catalan cradle.

Produced on the MQB Evo platform (that of the Golf 8 or the Audi A3), it doesn’t hesitate to show its Latin preferences with a silhouette that stands out from that of the earlier era. With 86 millimeters extra, it now reaches 4.37 m with a wheelbase up 5 mm (the rear passengers profit instantly), a barely lowered roof and a receding width.

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The first look leaves this impression … hybrid attributable to an authentic design retaining some fascinating reminders of the previous such because the cutout of the aspect home windows or the define of the optical models. Ribbed hood, hollowed sides, spectacular LED mild bar between the lights and the rear indicators (on this sporty FR end), the compact presents itself with a hexagonal grille housing the imposing “S” of the model watched over by two elegant feline eyes semi-enclosed and dominating a decrease half imported from Tarraco.

Red of … want

Note that the “red desire” of our test mannequin splendidly highlights the brand new options of the Hispano-German compact. The FR end offers the inside an environment that’s each very “GT” and a extra stylish character. The particular, authentic steering wheel, the vermilion stitching (it really works each time) the refined board, the imposing central display (10 inches, it integrates gesture recognition and many programs), quite a few storage areas, no false notes on the cockpit.

Let’s simply remorse the transfer to “all touch” and the shortage of ease of use that, unusually, outcomes. Adjusting the air con, for instance, requires the contact of a virtuoso pianist …

Do not be anxious concerning the absence of a “gear lever”, even with the DSG automated gearbox (just a little too quiet at occasions) all the things goes via a small lever that you just manipulate together with your fingertip. If you’re feeling like taking again management, the paddles are ready for you behind the wheel.

Sport mode, pleasure mode

To convey all this to life and advance, the Leon recovers the wonderful 150 horsepower four-cylinder petrol engine, which had already appeared on the Golf. It advantages from the reducing of two cylinders if obligatory, and the micro-hybridization system. A 48 V starter-alternator and a lithium-ion battery are there to help the unit in relaunching at low speeds, throughout a protracted low-speed section we see the phrase “freewheel” which saves a number of drops. gasoline.

A bit too quiet, peaceable, in Normal mode, the brand new “lioness” (they don’t all come from Sochaux, the proof!) Wakes up in the event you select to swap to Sport. She will not scare you by her roars however you’ll applaud her mood. The alternative to verify the impeccable outfit of the entire and to have (actually) enjoyable on a number of specials of your alternative.

Like all “modern cars”, the Leon has a really excessive stage of driving help, which is undoubtedly beneficial when wanted however very painful every day. We would additionally like to have the option to eliminate the “Lane Assist” beeps, nevertheless it reconnects at every begin, forcing the exasperated consumer to bravely plunge again into the menu to proceed his battle.