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Leon Generation

Release Date: 12 Jan 2017   |   Martorell

Martorell, 12/01/2017. - SEAT has just launched a reworked version of its SEAT Leon, a model which has sold nearly two million units since it came onto the market in the late 90s. Keep reading to discover nine facts about this model.


- Created in Barcelona. All three generations of the Leon have been designed, developed and produced in the SEAT facilities in Martorell (Barcelona). Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the first generation, Walter da Silva the second, and Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos is the author of the third.


- Nearly two million sold. Since its launch in 1999, 1.8 million units have been sold. 534,797 cars were marketed of the first generation (1999-2005). The second generation (2005–2015) saw an increase of 140,000 units sold compared to the previous one. This upward trend was intensified with the current generation, as in only four years (2012-2016), 566,931 units were sold, which is more than the entire first generation.


- 2016, best year for the Leon. The model brought last year to a close with the highest sales figure in its history, adding 3% compared to the previous year to reach 165,000 units. This was the best sales result of the model since its launch in 1999. 

- An international model. SEAT exports 80% of production of the Leon. The figures also show the increasing internationalisation of the brand as well as the model. Sales of the third generation are following the Spanish company’s trend that Germany remains its main market, where 136,674 units have been sold. 

- Major pillar of the company. Sales of the SEAT Leon exceeded the figures for the Ibiza for the first time in 2014, pointing to the fact that the Leon is the company’s second pillar and has enabled it to explore new segments. A case in point is that the brand’s first SUV, the SEAT Ateca, made its appearance in 2016.

- A world champion vehicle. The SEAT Leon won the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in 2008 and 2009, making it the first car equipped with a Diesel engine to win this competition.

- Record-setter on the Nürburgring. A SEAT Leon CUPRA driven by Jordi Gené in 2014 became the fastest front-wheel drive production car on the Nürburgring with a lap time of 7:58 minutes. One year later, the Leon ST CUPRA also became the fastest estate car on the famous Nordschleife track with a time of 7:58:12.

- Little-known facts. The third generation SEAT Leon weighs 90 kilos less than the second. In addition, this generation enabled the model to the be first vehicle in its segment to feature Full LED headlights.

- New version of the third generation SEAT Leon. SEAT has just presented the reworked version of the SEAT Leon, with evolved exterior design and an advance in the technology featured on the car: “You might even say that we’ve tucked the Ateca inside the Leon”, said SEAT Vice-president for R&D Matthias Rabe.

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