- Permanent four-wheel drive and all-road equipment
- 2.0 TDI engine with 150 and 184 PS
- Robust, elegant design with premium interior
- State-of-the-art ACC with Front Assist and SEAT Drive Profile
The new SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE, with permanent four-wheel drive and all-road equipment, offers driving fun wherever you may choose to go. The newest member of the successful Leon line-up combines emotional design with state-of-the-art technology, together with optimum usability and surprising versatility. With an exceptionally high level of performance and safety, the latest-generation all-wheel drive and a full array of state-of-the-art assistance systems, the Leon X-PERIENCE is offered with 2.0 TDI 150PS and 184PS outputs.
The new Leon X-PERIENCE completes SEAT’s highly successful Leon range. Alongside the dynamic two-door Leon SC, the elegant five-door Leon, the versatile Leon ST estate and the high-performance Leon Cupra, the Leon X-PERIENCE is the perfect companion for a varied and active lifestyle.
“The new Leon X-PERIENCE interprets our emotional design language in a whole new way. This functional aesthetic, this elegant robustness and safety shows an openness to new ideas. We maintain the youthful spirit with a distinctive feel for the practical things in life” says Jürgen Stackmann, President of SEAT S.A. “The Leon X-PERIENCE is the perfect fit for SEAT. As the next step in our brand strategy, it will expand and consolidate the great success achieved by the Leon.”
Alongside the latest-generation TDI engines and permanent all-wheel drive with intelligent, electronic control, the Leon ST X-PERIENCE boasts all-road suspension with extra ground clearance. A distinctive off-road look and individual interior offer an added dimension of driving fun, together witha wide array of ultra-modern technologies. These include a four-wheel EDS dynamic control system (electronic differential locks on both axles), an extended electronic differential lock for better traction while cornering (XDS), an electronic stability programme and a multi-collision brake system delivering maximum safety.
Further optional hi-tech features include full-LED headlights, ACC Adaptive Cruise Control with City Emergency Brake function, drowsiness detection and lane-keeping assistant.
“On tarmac or gravel, in sun, rain or snow – with its all-wheel drive, the Leon X-PERIENCE takes it all in its stride, demonstrating its superb dynamics on all types of road with absolutely no negative impact on either comfort or usability. Emotional driving fun and exceptional usability – this is where the customer finds both,”says Dr. Matthias Rabe, Vice-President for Research and Development at SEAT S.A. “The Leon X-PERIENCE also offers outstanding safety in all situations, thanks to its superb traction, excellent brakes and integrated assistance systems that extend all the way to ACC adaptive cruise control with Front Assist and emergency braking function.”
The highly acclaimed design language of the Leon family has been further accentuated for the X-PERIENCE. Sharp lines provide the all-road estate with a stunning appearance of energy and vitality. The dynamic silhouette is long and graceful, yet the Leon X-PERIENCE offers the full spectrum of usability for work and leisure, family and sport. The luggage compartment offers a carrying capacity of 587 litres, which extends to as much as 1,470 litres with the rear-seats folded down.
The Leon X-PERIENCE derives its own distinct character from the robust protection moulding on the door sills and wheel arches. The powerful front end is adorned with substantial air intakes and integrated fog lamps with cornering light function, plus the front spoiler with its aluminium-look. The rear end, too, is distinguished by its new bumper with an aluminium-look insert and by the chrome tailpipes, which are standard on the 2.0 TDI 184 PS. The large wheel arches can accommodate 17-inch or optional 18-inch wheels in a dedicated five-twin-spoke design. The roof rails are finished in black.
Premium interior
The Leon X-PERIENCE emphasises its premium position within the Leon family with its unique trim. In the interior, new materials, attention to detail and a combination of strong colours give this car more personality. It offers the black and grey sporty elegance of high-quality fabric upholstery, as well as the option of brown Alcantara or all-black leather seats.
The X-PERIENCE logo adorns the door sills and steering wheel, while orange stitching accentuates the adventurous spirit and youthfulness of this car, which can be both serious and fun.
“The Leon X-PERIENCE expands the possibilities of everyday life. We also wanted it to have a look that combined premium elegance with sporty dynamism” says Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Head of SEAT Design.
Power with Efficiency – the engines
The dynamic character of the Leon X-PERIENCE is perfectly matched with two TDI engines that are as gutsy as they are efficient, plus a six-speed manual transmission. The common-rail four-cylinder units produce 150 PS and 184 PS. The standard fit Start/Stop System and Energy Recover System are key elements of the efficiency package.
The top engine is the 2.0 TDI with 184 PS. With its maximum torque of 380 Nm and DSG transmission as standard, it delivers enormous dynamism that is only partially conveyed by its acceleration time of 7.1 seconds from 0 to 62mph and its top speed of 139mph. The engine declares its efficiency with a combined fuel consumption figure of 55.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 133 grams per kilometre.
The 2.0 TDI with 150 PS, 320 Nm of torque and six-speed manual transmission also provides effective propulsion for the Leon X-PERIENCE, boasting a fuel consumption figure of 57.6mpg (CO2: 126 g/km).
Latest-generation drive system
The permanent all-wheel drive in the new Leon ST X-PERIENCE is among the most modern and efficient systems of its kind in the world. SEAT uses a newly developed multi-plate clutch with hydraulic actuation and electronic control – a fifth-generation Haldex clutch. It reacts extremely quickly to all conceivable drive input, thus delivering a considerable benefit in active safety and dynamics.
In the interests of axle-load distribution, the clutch is positioned at the end of the prop shaft in front of the rear-axle differential. Inside is a multi-plate package running in an oil bath. The metal friction rings are ordered in pairs one behind the other – one ring of each pair is permanently meshed with the clutch cage, which rotates with the prop shaft. The other ring rotates with the drive shaft to the rear-axle differential.
In normal operation, the clutch transmits most of the engine power to the front wheels. Should their traction decrease, the torque is diverted smoothly and in a matter of a few milliseconds to the rear. A piston presses the multi-plate pack together to reach the necessary oil pressure. The new generation of the clutch no longer requires a pressure accumulator, making it considerably more compact and 1.4 kg lighter than the same part in preceding generations.
Dynamism and Safety
The carefully balanced running gear reinforces the dynamic character of the new Leon ST. The springs smoothly master all surface irregularities, while the steering delivers calm and refined directionality, as well as excellent feedback.
Compared with the Leon ST, the X-PERIENCE stands around 15 millimetres higher, giving it that much more ground clearance. Up front is a MacPherson-strut suspension layout with subframe. The Leon X-PERIENCE responds spontaneously and precisely to steering input, mastering all manner of corners with calm stability. At the rear is a four-link suspension that handles longitudinal and transverse forces independently from one another. Shock absorbers and coil springs are mounted separately – a solution that delivers exceptionally fine response characteristics. The brake system on the new SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE is likewise a match for tough tasks.
SEAT Drive Profile enables the driver to vary the characteristics of the power steering, throttle control and the DSG transmission in three modes – eco, comfort and sport. There is also an individual setting. In addition, SEAT Drive Profile incorporates a sound actuator close to the engine to provide an even more refined engine tone.
The Leon X-PERIENCE is available to order from September and will reach UK showrooms later in 2014.
SEAT CONFIRMS UK PRICING AND SPECIFICATION FOR NEW LEON X-PERIENCE
- X-PERIENCE becomes latest addition to high-selling Leon line-up
- ST-based lifestyle estate with permanent four-wheel-drive, extra ground clearance and specific off-road look
- Unique X-PERIENCE interior touches and premium equipment level
- Two trims: SE and SE Technology. Optional Lux Pack for £1,250
- Available with 2.0 TDI 150 and 184 PS engines, latter with DSG
- Priced £24,385 to £28,870
- UK ordering opens 1 September 2014, ahead of showroom launch in December
SEAT has confirmed pricing and specification for the latest addition to the high-selling Leon line-up. Called X-PERIENCE, the new lifestyle estate with permanent four-wheel-drive and off-roader looks starts from £24,385 on-the-road.
The Barcelona-based brand recently confirmed that its eagerly-awaited compact SUV will arrive in 2016, so the newcomer will be seeking to gain traction for SEAT in the lead-up to its launch.
With four-wheel-drive and extra ground clearance, Leon X-PERIENCE is capable in all road situations and poor weather conditions. Inside and out, it retains all of the ST’s style and versatility, including its sizeable 587-litre boot, which rises to 1,470 litres with the rear seats folded at the pull of a single lever.
The range-topping estate is immediately recognisable through its all-road looks. Among the accoutrements are protection mouldings on the door sills and wheel arches, to give it a robust look, plus aluminium look touches for the rear bumper and lower front spoiler.
Other elements singling it out as the ultimate Leon ST, are integrated fog lamps and twin chrome tailpipes, together with substantial air intakes at the front.
It’s got the substance to match the style too. Featuring all-road suspension with extra ground clearance, Leon X-PERIENCE is as at home on gravel and snow as it is on tarmac.
Underneath its upmarket look is the 4Drive all-wheel-drive system with intelligent EDS dynamic control, which accurately distributes weight between all four wheels, increasing traction to improve handling and stability. There’s also an extended electronic differential lock (XDS) for better traction while cornering.
Available to order from 1 September, Leon X-PERIENCE comes in two trim levels, SE and SE Technology. Offering a significantly enhanced standard specification over equivalent Leon STs, the range kicks off at £24,385 for the SE 2.0 TDI 150 manual. The same powered SE Technology version comes in at £26,370, while the 2.0 TDI 184 with DSG transmission tops out at £28,870.
Both versions are brimming with kit. Immediately distinguishable from other Leons, SE features 17-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels, black roof rails and dark tinted rear windows. Rear parking sensors and twin exhaust tailpipes complete the look.
The premium feel continues on the inside, with dual zone climate control, leather steering wheel with orange stitching and X-PERIENCE logo, and cloth upholstered front sports seats with simil leather bolsters. Rounding off its practical nature is Hill Hold Control and a chrome loading sill for added protection when four-legged friends scrabble into the boot.
Upgrading to SE Technology costs £1,985, but brings a wealth of extras, which would cost £3,500 if bought individually. Befitting the name, many of them are high-end, such as SEAT Media System Plus with 5.8-inch colour touchscreen, DAB and satellite navigation, plus auto headlights, wipers and dimming rear view mirror.
On the outside, the flagship gains SEAT’s unique LED headlights and taillights, electrically folding door mirrors and 18-inch ‘X-PERIENCE’ machined alloy wheels. The interior gets even plusher too, with bespoke Alcantara upholstery and simil leather bolsters.
Latest-generation 4Drive system
The permanent all-wheel-drive in the new Leon X-PERIENCE is among the most modern and efficient systems of its kind. SEAT uses a newly developed multi-plate clutch with hydraulic actuation and electronic control – a fifth-generation Haldex clutch. In real world driving this means that the car is driven through the front wheels, with the 4Drive system continually monitoring real-time driving conditions. If it detects any loss in traction, it reacts within milliseconds to send torque smoothly to the wheels with the most grip.
While 4Drive copes with the terrain, the X-PERIENCE 2.0 TDI 184 DSG version also comes with SEAT Drive Profile, so that the driving experience can be tailored according to Normal, Sport and Eco modes.
Optional LUX pack
Leon X-PERIENCE is already well kitted out from a comfort, practicality and luxury point of view. Nevertheless, those opting for the SE Technology can take things to another level with the £1,250 Lux pack. The comprehensive upgrade combines black leather upholstery with simil leather bolsters, heated front seats, headlight washers and heated washer nozzles, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and chrome roof rails.
Plenty of individual options also abound across the range, such as panoramic sunroof, towbar pre-install, SEAT Sound audio system, and, crucially for adventurous types going off the beaten track, a space saver spare wheel (18-inch).
UK ordering for Leon X-PERIENCE opens on 1 September 2014, ahead of showroom launch in December.