SEAT Leon SC revealed

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5 Mar, 2013 3:32pm Luke Madden

Pictures and details of the all-new three-door SEAT Leon SC following its Geneva Motor Show debut

The all-new three-door SEAT Leon SC has made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

SEAT has made the differences between the SC and the five-door pronounced, so rather than just getting rid of the rear doors, it’s given the new car a 35mm shorter wheelbase.

Head of SEAT exterior design, Jorge Diez, explained: “By shortening the wheelbase we’re able to make the SC look more muscular and powerful.”

The rear windscreen is also more steeply raked, to create a sportier profile. Unlike the three-door Audi A3 – which has less boot space than the five-door Sportback model – the Leon SC has an identical luggage area to the standard hatch, at 380 litres. There’s the same amount of rear headroom, too, so buyers will only have to compromise on knee room and access to the rear seats.

The car in our pictures is an FR model, but the Leon SC comes in the same S and SE specs as the five-door. Equipment levels will be the same, too, so SE cars get 16-inch alloys, cruise control and hill-hold control, while the range-topping FR is fitted with 17-inch alloys, tinted windows, LED rear lights and parking sensors. Full LED headlights – like those fitted to the car in our pictures – are a £995 option.

The SC borrows engines from the five-door Leon as well, so petrol fans get the 104bhp 1.2-litre TSI or 138bhp 1.4 TSI engines. Diesel options include the 1.6-litre TDI, which promises the same impressive 74.3mpg fuel economy and 99g/km CO2 emissions as in the five-door, even though the three-door is marginally more aerodynamic.

Order books will open for the Leon SC just after Geneva. While final pricing hasn’t yet been announced, we’re expecting the car to cost around £500 less than the five-door, which starts from £15,670.

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Submitted by David Jefferis on Tue, 2013-02-12 14:52.

Pleasant enough, though lacking drama and oomph.

Best looking Leon is still the Mk I - a handsome car, with styling that has aged well.

Submitted by Ant on Tue, 2013-02-12 16:28.

It seems a shame that they've made it look like a bigger Ibiza SC. The Ibiza is a good looking car, it's just a bit lazy IMO.

Submitted by Cuzy on Tue, 2013-02-12 17:35.

Looks good. The new gen Leon is a much more interesting vehicle to look at than its VW relation.

Submitted by ian hilton on Tue, 2013-02-12 19:58.

It looks decent but is more conservative looking than the 5 door in my eyes. I presume the shorter wheelbase will help its handling too - seems a bit over the top to do this purely to 'make it look more muscular and powerful' either way its good value starting at just over £15000 with a decent engine and base specification.

Submitted by vagfan on Tue, 2013-02-12 20:22.

Hardly likely to worry the brilliant new Octavia.

Submitted by Brian Langan on Tue, 2013-02-12 22:30.

But sure it has to look kinda like the Ibiza, otherwise it wouldnt look like a SEAT. Isnt the Focus just a bigger looking Fiesta and the A3 a bigger A1. There all doing it!!

Submitted by ajc88uk on Tue, 2013-02-12 23:59.

Looks better than most of the other drab vehicles in the VAG line up

Submitted by alasdair84 on Wed, 2013-02-13 12:36.

hardly the same target market? this Leon SC is aimed at younger buyers I reckon - cant see too many 20-somethings lining up to buy the massive 5dr octavia.

Submitted by Jack Kirby on Thu, 2013-02-14 10:19.

How can you call Audi drab?! What do you drive??

Submitted by olivian on Tue, 2013-03-05 08:33.

looks more like a restyled Ibiza to me .. would have wanted something else from a two-door Leon

Submitted by M.A.Nuel on Tue, 2013-03-05 08:52.

Why do all car companys think that every car in their range has to look similar to the rest?

Surely, if you don't like one you won't like the others?

Submitted by Ellison Logan on Tue, 2013-03-12 16:32.

I love the look of seat leon I only have a basic and will be changing in November so it's definitely the new leon