- FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW 2013: DEBUT OF NEW LEON ST REINFORCES ESTATE AND FLEET SEGMENT
- LEON SKYROCKETS 40% THIS YEAR, OVER 60,000 UNITS
- SEAT SALES GROW 11.4% WORLDWIDE TO AUGUST
Frankfurt, 10/09/2013.- This afternoon SEAT presented the estate version of the Spanish compact car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Leon ST is a strategic model in the enlargement of the Leon family so as to increase SEAT sales in the company fleet and family vehicle channels. In Western Europe the sub-segment of the new Leon ST accounts for some 500,000 vehicles per year and is a key player in markets such as Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. Within this category, fleets account for an average of 60% of sales, rising to as much as 74% in Germany.
The new Leon ST will initially reach dealerships in Germany, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands and Portugal next November, to be followed by other markets later on. With this launch, the Leon family will continue to grow after the presentation of the five- and three-door bodyworks.
During the presentation of the Leon ST, SEAT Executive Committee Chairman Jürgen Stackmann said “The new Leon ST will open new doors for SEAT to conquer the most demanding private customers and equally important the fleet segment.” Stackmann also added “We are having a strong sales momentum; we are growing against the industry trend”. “We will develop Leon into the second strong pillar of SEAT’s sustainable future” he summed up.
During his first appearance as head of the Spanish brand at an international motor show, Stackmann declared “I feel really proud of being the president of SEAT. I am impressed with the outstanding quality of our products, excellent engineering and design, and the highly engaged base of colleagues and employees.”
SEAT GROWS 11.4% THANKS TO LEON
The new Leon ST is playing a key part in the building of SEAT’s success and has become the second pillar of the brand, together with the Ibiza. So far this year, SEAT has delivered over 60,000 units of the new Leon worldwide, growing sales of this model by 40% compared to same period in 2012. The Leon has also been a critical success, having come out on top in 35 of the 55 comparison tests carried out by the most prestigious media in the main markets since its launch, which represents almost two thirds of all tests.
The success of the Leon has boosted SEAT sales in 2013. Between January-August the Spanish brand delivered 234,200 units worldwide, 11.4% more than the previous year. Despite the general downturn of sales in Europe, SEAT has gone against the industry trend, and is one of the fastest-growing brands there. Breaking down total figures by market, SEAT has seen growth in Germany (up 26.4% to 50,600 cars, where it is the volume brand with the greatest growth and among the top ten), Spain (up 5.9% to 43,000 units, making it market leader in 2013) and the United Kingdom (up 15.6% to 27,000 cars).
Additionally, SEAT has seen an exponential upturn of its sales in Algeria and Turkey, where up to August it sold 14,900 (up 81.7%) and 6,500 (up 122.5%) units respectively. In Mexico the brand is now among the top ten, selling 14,000 units there to date. SEAT sales outside Europe have grown by 27.1% over the first eight months of the year.
THE LEON ST, THE MOST VERSATILE AND ELEGANT ESTATE CAR
As is the case with the five- and three-door versions of the model, the estate version of the Leon will be built at the Martorell (Barcelona) production plant, using the Volkswagen Group MQB platform. The third member of the Leon family merges the dynamic and young-spirited design and sporty character of the car to exceptional versatility. The Leon ST is 4,535mm long and a load capacity of 587 litres, which can be increased to 1,470 litres by folding down the rear seats.
With the arrival of the new Leon ST, the Leon range brings in new state-of-the-art technology such as cruise control with ACC approach radar, DCC adaptive chassis control, which changes suspension characteristics, and the progressive steering system allowing for more precise control according to the speed of the car.
ECOMOTIVE AND TGI, THE LEON’S MOST SUSTAINABLE VERSIONS, ON SHOW IN FRANKFURT
At the Frankfurt Motor Show SEAT unveiled two versions of the Leon remarkable for their efficiency, low-level consumption and emissions, and sustainability. The new Leon 1.6 TDI CR Ecomotive uses just 3.2 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, CO2 emissions being 85g/km. Thanks to its 1.6 TDI engine delivering 110 hp (81kW) of power and 250 Nm of torque, the eco-friendly version of the Leon offers outstanding performance with a top speed of 197 kph. Also, with the added advantage of low consumption, it offers a range of 1,500 kilometres before refuelling. The Leon Ecomotive will be available in the three bodyworks with Reference and Style finishes.
The new 1.4 TGI Leon shows SEAT’s commitment to compressed natural gas (CNG). Its 1.4 TSI engine delivers 110 hp (81kW) of power and a maximum torque of 200 Nm at 1,500 rpm on CNG or petrol. With its very low consumption figures and a lower fuel price, it is one of the most economical vehicles on the market and offers a CNG-only range of 400 kilometres with a weighted consumption of 3.5 kg of gas per 100 km, CO2 emissions being 94 g/km. The petrol engine provides an additional range of 900 kilometres, taking the combined fuel range to some 1,300 kilometres in all. The Leon TGI will be available from January onwards in Italy, in the five-door and ST versions (Reference and Style) to be followed by other markets at a later date.
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Text and photographs: SEAT
