New Car: 2009 SEAT León & Altea facelift

Seat has officially unveiled the facelifted Leon and Altea models.

Slated for their first public viewing at the Geneva show next month, both the Leon and Altea feature the the Arrow Design concept which brings a lot of change to both models' front and back end designs.

These include a new grill, a smaller Seat badge and bigger headlamps. At the back, the rear window is larger, sitting on a different hatch and the lights arrangement has also changed.

On the inside are new trim materials with an upgraded instrument panel and central console. Also there is a new technology available called the XDS system. This is a self-locking differential that works with the ESP system to improve traction. Sounds good.

One of the press release's main highlights is "diesel engines with common rail technology", which VW is now adopting in favor of its previously in house developed Pumpe-Duese technology. The change now uprates the 2.0 litre TDI to 170bhp from 140bhp.

Both models will be on display at the Geneva motorshow which runs from 5th - 15th March.

Press Release:

SEAT is presenting the new 2009 León and Altea models

The front and rear ends carry identity traits of the new design

Greater driving comfort and safety with the XDS system

Diesel engines with common rail technology

Taking place from 5 to 15 March, 2009, the Geneva Motor Show is the backdrop chosen by SEAT to showcase the new 2009 León and Altea models for the first time. With these models, the Spanish brand's intermediate range has undergone a considerable evolution, with their identity traits visible on the front and rear of all the body styles, and a completely updated engine range including common rail Diesel variants. All these novelties combine with an outstanding level of equipment, with special emphasis on comfort and safety elements.

The same as on the fourth generation Ibiza and the new Exeo, the Arrow Design concept defines the exterior looks of the 2009 León and Altea. They both clearly reflect the silhouettes of the previous models, but contain interesting new design details.

Now with smoother, more elegant lines, prominent elements are a new grille with a smaller SEAT logo and more stylised chrome surround, larger headlights, newly designed door mirrors and modern wheel rims; while at the rear, the window is larger for greater visibility, and the hatch and light clusters have also been modified, among others. In the interior, modifications have been made to the instrument panel, central console and door panel trim and materials, resulting in a modern, ergonomic passenger compartment.

Maximum traction capacity with the XDS system:

The addition of the XDS system to the new 2009 SEAT León has led to a substantial increase in both driving comfort and safety. This electronic system works together with ESP as a self-blocking differential, improving the car's performance in situations where traction is lost by braking the wheel that loses surface grip.

This novelty on the company's new car combines with the brand's characteristic Agile Chassis concept, providing efficient driving capacity in any situation.

New engines and the arrival of common rail technology:

The broad engine range on the new León, Altea and Altea XL models includes a total of 10 different choices - five petrol and five Diesel. They have all undergone a significant evolution in every aspect, with special mention to performance and a reduction in fuel consumption figures and emissions levels.

The powerful 211 hp 2.0 TSI engine steals the spotlight in the petrol engine range, while the great novelty among the Diesel choices is the arrival of common rail technology to the 170bhp 2.0 TDI engine. Furthermore, all the versions equipped with the DSG automatic sequential gearbox, now also available on the seven-speed 160bhp 1.8 TSI, feature shift paddles on the steering wheel.

More equipment to choose from:

With the arrival of the 2009 versions, the equipment list has been unified on the SEAT León, Altea and Altea XL models. All three are now equipped with the same standard elements on the Reference, Style and Sport versions. In addition, the León has added the sportier FR version to its range.

The company's new vehicles feature a complete equipment list. Besides the XDS system, exclusive to the new León 2009, other outstanding additions include Hill Hold Control, dual xenon headlights with AFS and daytime driving lights, a new climatiser and new audio equipment, cornering foglights, front and rear parking sensors and an optical parking system displayed on the new navigation system.

Besides, all the versions feature new upholstery, with the possibility of choosing black leather, and a new cognac colour leather for the León units. A further choice on the FR versions is a combination of black fabric (for the seat sides) with red or silver Alcantara down the middle.

And finally, in terms of active safety measures, the new 2009 León and Altea include all the electronic assistance devices. ABS + TCS and ESP with EBA emergency braking will be available as standard across the entire range.