The new generation Seat Leon is already in testing phase, but the Spanish automaker won’t unveil it just yet.
In fact, Autocar reports that it will be previewed by a concept car at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show in March.
Not much is known about it for now, but it’s expected to offer a first glimpse into some of the design elements of the fourth generation Leon, and to highlight some of its technologies.
Our spy photographers have already caught the 2020 Seat Leon on camera, but due to the heavy camouflage, it’s nearly impossible to make out its design details. However, the brand’s design chief, Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos told the British publication that it will adopt a different styling to set it further apart from its siblings within the Volkswagen Group.
“We are going to be steering away from edges and lines. Using hard lines to express precision is something we have been doing since the Leon was launched in 2012. But we need to be more different to our colleagues in the Volkswagen Group”, said Mesonero-Romanos. “There will be far fewer structured lines, the sort of lines that simply travel from A to B. There will be bolder sculpture, fullness with some tension. The sort of surfaces you have to touch in order to understand them completely. Something sensual.”
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The exterior of the all-new Seat Leon won’t be the only major novelty, as the cabin is going through an extensive makeover of its own. Previous reports indicate the adoption of the latest infotainment technologies, which will include controls for the air conditioning and voice commands, and will also support over-the-air updates.
Seat is using the MQB platform for the development of the next Leon, albeit in an updated form. Thanks to the use of lightweight materials, the car will go through a diet which, combined with new petrol and diesel engines (yep, oil-burners aren’t going anywhere yet), will improve fuel consumption.
A mild-hybrid powertrain with the 1.5-liter TSI is believed to be part of the range, being joined further down the road by a plug-in hybrid derivative. The latter should be able to travel for at least 50 km (31 miles) on zero emissions.
It’s unknown when Seat will pull the curtain for the new Leon, but we might see it officially in the second half of 2019. The five-door hatchback will probably be the first body style to be unveiled, followed by the estate and a crossover-styled flavor with some plastic cladding, increased ground clearance and longer suspension travel.
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