The new SEAT Leon makes a lot of sense as a family hatchback these days, with its latest VW platform, nice design and a competent range of engines. However, the Spaniards are also now making a two-door SC model, which is shorter, lighter and slightly sharper to drive, while also looking a bit sportier, thanks to the more steeply-raked windscreen, and unique roof shape.
In Spain, they’ve now launched an ad campaign for the SC, which features one commercial with three distinct endings. Check out the (amusing) videos below, to give you a sense of what SEAT is trying to achieve with this sportier Leon.
Now, on a different side note. I recently had a chance to sit inside (not drive) all of the new MQB-underpinned VW group cars – the new VW Golf, the Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon. Aside from the seating position that is not as low as some owners of the previous iterations of these cars were used to, the interior quality is adequate.
However, I would go so far as to say these new cars, especially the Octavia feel flimsier than they did before – press on the top of the dash, where the old model had a storage compartment with a lid, and you’ll notice that there is nothing below the high quality soft-touch plastic, and you can easily push it down with your hand and feel it bending underneath.
I was impressed by the Leon (five-door), though, which has the nicest design inside, and while the materials aren’t the best of the bunch, it seemed very well screwed together and very solid. This made me appreciate the Spanish hatch more, especially since it also happens to be the best to look at of the bunch, and it’s cheaper than the Golf. All of the above means that with the right engine, the Leon SC has the promise for a good old-style hot hatch.
By Andrei Nedelea
VIDEO