Report: Seat to Launch Four New Models in 2012 including a Four-Door Sedan

VW's Spanish subsidiary is expecting a 10 percent rise in sales this year and aims further growth in 2012, when it will launch four new models. According to CEO James Muir, new products such as the Ibiza ST and the Alhambra will boost Seat sales in 2011.

"We want to increase our 340,000 unit sales from last year – by 8 to 10 percent – thanks to existing models. We aim to sell 45,000 units of the Ibiza ST (station wagon) this year. And the Alhambra already is well above plan so we expect a full-year volume of 20,000 units. This proves that our brand is gaining strength," Muir was quoted as saying by Autonews Europe.

For 2012, the company has even bigger plans, fueled by the launch of four new models. "We will launch four new cars: the new Leon, a totally new entry-level model, a four-door sedan and a major Ibiza facelift," said Muir, who was appointed head of Seat in 2009.

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Geneva Preview: 2009 SEAT Leon Facelift with Styling Tweaks and Revised Engines

At next month's Geneva Motor Show SEAT will showcase the facelifted Leon hatchback featuring minor cosmetic revisions and an updated engine range. On the outside the most identifiable traits of the 2009 model concern the newly shaped grille with the smaller SEAT logo, larger headlights and new door mirrors while at the rear, there's a larger window that now covers the whole length of the hatch and restyled tail light clusters which bring to mind the word "Alfa Romeo"... Inside, SEAT's designer have made modifications to the instrument panel, central console and door panel trim and materials.

The Spanish automaker claims that all available engines on the Leon have all been tweaked for better performance and reduced fuel consumption figures and emissions levels. These include the more powerful 2.0 TSI engine that now delivers 211 HP and the arrival of common rail technology to the 170 HP 2.0 TDI engine. Furthermore, all the versions equipped with the DSG automatic sequential gearbox, now also available on the seven-speed 160 hp 1.8 TSI, feature shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Other improvements for the Leon facelift concern the addition of the XDS electronic system that works in conjunction with the ESP as a self-blocking differential, the Hill Hold Control, dual xenon headlights with AFS and daytime driving lights, a new climatiser and new audio equipment, cornering foglights, front and rear parking sensors and an optical parking system displayed on the new navigation system.

Geneva Show: SEAT to Reveal Leon and Altea Facelift, and Exeo Break

Despite the gloomy outlook on the automotive sector, this year's Geneva Salon looks like it is going to be packed with new cars that will be making their world premiere at the Swiss show. The latest piece of information to come by our hands is that VW Group's Spanish brand SEAT will take the veil off the facelifted Leon and Altea range that includes the Altea XL and Altea Freetrack crossover, as well as the station-wagon variant of the Exeo that as you already know, is in essence a re-skinned previous-gen Audi A4. We'll have more details on all the new SEATs closer to the opening of the Geneva Show in March.

JE Design SEAT Exeo Sport Tourer & Leon FR/Cupra

JE Design has released their new Seat Exeo Sport Tourer and the Seat Leon FR/Cupra over the weekend. The Exeo ST is somewhat of a follow-up for the design firm; JE Design released a tuning kit for the Exeo sedan back in April. That project intended to make the "middle class limousine" more like "a sports car with four doors."

From the sketch provided, it appears the new project bears strong similarity to the sedan. The sketch shows a car with the exact same front end, including the new spoiler and grille. Wheels appear to be the same 19-inchers previously used, leading to identical side sills and mirrors. We imagine the ST is also lowered by about 35mm.

What we can't see in the sketch is the back. Hopefully, JE Design brings something new to the table at the rear of the car, truly differentiating the ST from the sedan.

We do see something interesting on the Leon FR/Cupra. It appears the vehicle will also have a unique front-end, including updates to the fascia, spoiler, and fog lamp enclosures. The radiator grille, headlamps, and side mirrors keep the same shape, but the side sills get some needed flair.

JE DESIGN Seat Leon Facelift

JE DESIGN, a well known car tuner from Germany has released its new styling kit for the facelifted Seat Leon.

The JE DESIGN Seat Leon aerodynamic kit features new front spoiler (299 Euros including VAT), side skirts (299 Euros), carbon look rear apron attachment (349 Euros), rear wing (459 Euros), a matt black grille with a grid insert (119 Euros), headlight masks (89 Euros) and hood scoop with air inlet blinds (149 Euros).

The JE DESIGN Leon stands on 17, 18 and 19 inches Multispoke wheels in shadow-silver and matt black with silver rim. The 8×19” wheels set with 225/35 R 19 tires price starts from 2,810 Euros. A new sport springs set (159 Euros) that lowers the Seat Leon by 35 mm at the front and 15 mm at the back is also available. A coilover kit (979 Euros) that lowers the car up to 65 mm is also available.



Two types of exhaust systems are available from JE DESIGN, the exhaust system ends in a stainless steel centre double pipe (339 Euros) or altogether four stainless steel pipes, two on the left and two on the right (899 Euros). For both types, JE DESIGN offers the matching rear apron attachment.