The 2017 Seat Leon has been revealed, with the facelifted model having undergone styling tweaks, as well as gaining new technologies and two new engines.
On the outside, the Leon has been given a larger front grille to make the car look bigger, and other subtle styling tweaks, including front and rear lights that now incorporate the same LED signature as the Ateca. Three new colours are also offered.
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Inside, there’s a ‘connectivity box’ – also seen on the Seat Ateca – which incorporates wireless charging. An electric parking brake is now fitted on the revised central console, and certain Leon trims now have ambient LED lighting, which can be controlled via the infotainment system. A digital dash much like Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system is also available, going by the name FPK (programmable instrument cluster in German).
The size of the infotainment screen has grown, from 6.5in to 8.0in on all but entry-level S spec. It adds functionality to the old system and clears some of the buttons from the dashboard. Seat also claims that the refreshed Leon is quieter than the current model. Trim pieces across the interior, including the door cards, have been updated.
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Other technical upgrades include the addition of the traffic jam assist system – another technology inherited from the Ateca – which allows semi-autonomous driving up to 37mph. Traffic sign recognition and blind spot detection have also been added, although these are likely to be on higher-spec cars only.
Seat claims to have improved the sat-nav and camera systems of the Leon too, as well as offering a parking assist system that enables the car can park itself. These, along with emergency assist and high beam assist, are expected to appear higher on the Leon spec list, too.
