First of all, the upcoming Leon will be built around Volkswagen Group's MQB platform we've already seen in the new Audi A3. The same technology is also expected be present in the upcoming Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf.
In terms of engine variants, Seat's upcoming hatchback will offer quite a wide range of engines. At first there will be a 1.6 TDI unit found in the Ecomotive trim level, able to develop 104 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. In terms of fuel efficiency this particular version will benefit from start-stop and brake-energy recuperation systems, so it will be able to cover 74.3 mpg.
The second engine variant available when the Leon will hit the market is a 2.0 liter TDI engine developing 148 horsepower, 236 lb-ft of torque and a fuel efficiency of 70.6 mpg.
Despite the fact that only two power plants will be available at first, the carmaker intends on widening their range of engine variants next year, by offering a 1.2 liter TSI engine, a 1.4 liter TSI, and a 1.8 liter TSI unit as well, offering a rage of horsepower between 85 and 178. Two more diesel engines will also join the family in year 2013, a 1.6 liter TDI developing 89 horsepower and a beefier 2.0 TDI producing 181 bhp and 280 lb-ft of torque.
No word on a Cupra version has surfaced yet, but we're looking forward to hear from it.
In terms of transmission the Leon will come with either a five or a six speed manual gearbox depending on the variant. A DSG dual-clutch transmission will also be available.
As far as the exterior design goes, the new Leon looks quite different from the ongoing model, and same as with the Toledo, the carmaker has ditched the roundish styling lines and opted for a cleaner, more aggressive look. We can't really complain about this decision, as we were not big fans of the previous model's styling cues.
As for when will the new Seat Toledo 2012 hit the market, the company revealed that we'll be able to purchase it by the end of 2012. Price-wise no official information has been given but we expect it to range somewhere between £15,000 and £26,000 depending on the variant.
