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This year the Geneva Motor Show is one of the most significant stages for SEAT since the Spanish brand is showcasing several novelties in its range of vehicles as part of the company’s product expansion strategy, which includes the arrival of up to ten new models in the next six months.

 
SEAT will be presenting the newest, most modern and up to date range on the market, featuring the Exeo station wagon, called Exeo ST, the new SEAT León and Altea 2009 models, with a completely revamped look and the addition of common rail Diesel engines, and the León ECOMOTIVE Concept prototype, with its record-setting emissions levels of only 99 g/km of CO2.
 
This morning, SEAT president Erich Schmitt stressed the importance the arrival of new models has for the brand, stating ‘we have completely renewed our product line-up and have invested in new vehicles and technology. The result is on display today, with no less than seven vehicles showcased, including one prototype.’
 
The family size version of the Exeo arrives
 
Coinciding with the commercial launch of the sedan, SEAT is presenting the Exeo ST in Geneva, the family size version of the new model that will make its way onto the market in July, whose engine range and equipment list will be identical to those of the four-door version.
 
The new Exeo ST features outstanding practicality and functionality. Its family styling and new rear hatch increase load capabilities and comfort, with broader access and a flat cargo area. The new model features greater storage volume compared to the sedan by allowing objects to be loaded up to the ceiling. Furthermore, the Exeo ST is also equipped with an upper cargo net that increases safety by preventing objects from falling into the passenger compartment.
 
The only differences compared to the sedan lay in the length of the body, which is 4.666 metres long, and the boot volume, of 442 litres. This model will be wholly manufactured at the Martorell factory near Barcelona.
 
The mid range evolves
 
Another novelty presented by SEAT at the Geneva Motor Show is the new exterior and interior looks of the León model and the Altea range.
 
With this unmistakeable evolution, the Spanish brand’s mid-range undergoes a considerable exterior design transformation, mainly affecting the front end, with a new bumper, a newly designed grille with a smaller SEAT brand logo and a more stylish chrome surround, larger headlights and newly designed door mirrors; and a broader rear window for better visibility, a new hatch and new light clusters, among others, at the rear end.
 
On the inside, the instrument panel, central console and door panels have undergone considerable modifications, resulting in an ergonomically modern passenger compartment.
 
Customers can choose from five petrol and four Diesel engine variations, featuring common rail technology on the 170 hp 2.0 TDI unit. There are two new petrol engines to choose from – the 160 hp 1.8 TSI, now available with a 7-speed DSG gearbox, and the 211 hp 2.0 TSI, which is exclusive to the León FR and the Altea freetrack. All the models equipped with an automatic sequential DSG gearbox include steering wheel shift paddles, except the 105 hp 1.9 TDI unit.
 
The company’s new vehicles will feature an extensive equipment list in combination with the Reference, Style and Sport trim levels. The XDS system will be included for the first time, exclusive to the new León 2009, which functions as a self-blocking mechanism but achieved through an electronic device. Further elements will include hill hold control, double xenon AFS headlights with daytime driving lights, a new climate control and new audio equipment, cornering foglights, front and rear parking sensors and an optical parking system visible on the new navigation system’s display panel.
 
León ECOMOTIVE Concept: a record setter in its segment
 
SEAT is taking confident strides in its efforts to reduce its cars’ emissions levels and fuel consumption figures. At the beginning of January the company published news of its León Twin Drive Ecomotive electric car project slated for 2014, and at the Geneva Motor Show the Spanish brand is unveiling the new SEAT León Ecomotive Concept.
 
The company’s prototype features the new 105 hp 1.6 TDI engine equipped with the DPF particulate filter and common rail technology, which greatly contribute to lowering average combined fuel consumption figures and emissions levels compared to the basic version it derives from, delivering a spectacular consumption of 3.8 litres for every 100 kilometres and 99 g/km of CO2 emissions, making the León ECOMOTIVE Concept the most ecological compact car in its segment together with the VW Golf Bluemotion.
 
A total of 20 g/km has been knocked off thanks to the addition of the new Auto Start/Stop system and the energy recuperation function, two completely new functions in the SEAT range. The new ecological León will shortly join the brand’s ECOMOTIVE range, where the 98 g/km Ibiza and the 159 g/km Alhambra are the most ecological models in their respective ranges, besides the León ECOMOTIVE 2009, with emissions levels of 119 g/km.