Škoda Octavia
The Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by the Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1996. It shares its name with an earlier model produced between 1959 and 1971. There have been three generations of the modern-era Octavia model to date, delivered with 5-door liftback saloon or 5-door estate styles only; the car is front engined, both front or four wheel drive are offered. Around five million units have been sold in its two decades of presence on the market; the Octavia is Škoda's most popular model 40% of all newly manufactured Škoda cars are Octavias. The current generation is available in wide range of derivatives, i.e. sports Octavia RS, four-wheel drive Octavia Combi 4x4, frugal Octavia GreenLine, CNG-powered Octavia G-TEC and outdoor Octavia Scout. The first generation Octavia was released in November 1996 and was built at the modernised Škoda factory in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic; this generation was made available in estate styles only. In the United Kingdom, sales began in 1998 and the mid-size car was an instant success with buyers who appreciated its solidity and value for money, though it could not quite match the success of established large family car favourites such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra.
The car was used in the United Kingdom taxi trade, owing to the large number of private hire drivers who used the vehicle, due to its low price and reliability. The first generation Octavia had a facelift in 2000, was still manufactured and marketed in some markets after the second generation was introduced in 2004. In Germany, other parts of West Europe, as well as Asia, the first generation model was marketed as the Octavia Tour, while the newer model is marketed as the Octavia. In some markets, the first generation Octavia was still known as Octavia, the newer model was referred to as the new Octavia, Octavia5 or Laura. In India, Octavia was launched in 2002 and was an instant hit with Indians for its frugal engines and solid build, it became a huge success in India. The major improvements of the facelifted model are the independent rear suspension and improved interior, in terms of space and quality of materials; the facelifted Octavia featured a 4x4 wheel drive version both for the estate and more popular sedan models, used the Haldex Traction clutch, like other Volkswagen Group A platform based cars.
It had higher ground clearance and a bigger fuel tank carrying 63-litre compared to the 55-litre standard front wheel drive versions. The 4x4 option was only available with the 1.8 T 150 bhp petrol engine, the 1.9 TDI 90 bhp diesel engine, or the 2.0 L petrol engine, all coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox, with the 1.9 TDI-PD 100 bhp diesel engine which came with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The other 6-speed manual model was the 1.9 TDI-PD 131 bhp, only available with front-wheel-drive. The vRS was the top-level and quickest specification and used a 1.8-litre straight-4 turbocharged engine which produced 180 bhp. Škoda made a limited number of 100 WRC Replica Cars worldwide in 2002. These differ from normal vRS Octavias, as they are produced in white, have rally decals and have additional accessories as standard; the vRS model was popular with the United Kingdom Police, both as a traffic car and as an unmarked Q-car, due to its low cost, reliability and understated styling. The engines used are the same as for many other cars in the Volkswagen Group: The Škoda Octavia has been used in the European Touring Car Championship, the World Rally Championship and the FIA 2-Litre World Rally Cup.
The second generation Octavia was introduced in March 2004, based on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform used by other Volkswagen Group cars, such as the Audi A3 Mk2, Volkswagen Golf Mk5, Volkswagen Jetta Mk5, SEAT León Mk2, etc. Responsible for the design were Peter Wouda. Along with a new internal combustion engine range shared with other models of the Volkswagen Group, body changes included more legroom for rear seat passengers and increased ground clearance at front and rear to reduce the risk of grounding on steep ramps or facing kerbs. In addition to the Czech factories in Mladá Boleslav and Vrchlabi, from 2008 the Octavia has been produced at a factory in Bratislava, in Shanghai, under the joint venture of Shanghai Volkswagen. In Russia, the Octavia is assembled at the Volkswagen plant in Kaluga. In India, the second-generation Octavia was marketed as the Laura to distinguish it from the first generation; the car was marketed in a higher segment, was sold alongside the previous generation Octavia.
However the first generation ended production in India in 2010, as of 2012 the Laura's price was reduced and was competing in its predecessor's segment. There are two four-wheel-drive versions of the Octavia: the 4x4 and the Scout, both featuring a Haldex Traction four-wheel-drive system, based on a computer-controlled clutch centre coupling; the two models both have higher ground clearance than the standard Octavia, increased by 24 mm for the 4x4 and by 40 mm for the Scout. The Scout, announced in 2006, is only available with the estate body style, has several crossover style exterior modifications, such as larger bumpers. In August 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS hit the world record on the American Bonneville Speedway and became the fastest car in the world with an up to 2-litre engine, when it hit
SEAT Exeo
The SEAT Exeo is a large family car and flagship model, built by the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT, subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. Codenamed Bolero and internally designated Typ 3R, the name Exeo derives from the Latin word exire, meaning "to go beyond", breaking SEAT's recent tradition to name its cars after Spanish cities; this car was made available in five door estate styles only. Production of the Exeo ended in May 2013, with the final production number being 81,552, it was replaced by SEAT Toledo for the saloon, the SEAT León ST for the estate. The Exeo is a D-segment model, built on the Volkswagen Group B7 platform, it is a rebadged Audi A4 B7 generation, with styling changes to the front and rear by way of unique bonnet, front wings, boot lid and exterior door mirrors. It incorporates interior trim from the A4 Cabriolet, extensively uses A4 B6 and B7 interior equipment and electrical components. To this purpose, the entire Audi A4 B7 production and assembly lines from Ingolstadt were dismantled and installed in Volkswagen Group's related SEAT factory in Martorell, Spain.
The Exeo was revealed at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, at launch, it was confirmed to be available in just one car body style, as a four door, five seater saloon. However, from August 2009, it available as a five door, five seater estate, called Exeo ST. ST is an abbreviation for Sport Tourer, it became available for purchase in Western Europe in March 2009, with a model lineup which included three petrol engines and two diesel engines, with a third lower-powered 88 kilowatts diesel engine being added from September 2009. In May 2010, three new petrol engines entered production, these were the 1.8 TFSI 88 kilowatts, the 1.8 TFSI 118 kilowatts and the 2.0 TFSI 155 kilowatts. It was available with three different trim levels: Reference and Sport. Golden Steering Wheel Award 2009 in Switzerland, in the upper medium sedan category Company Car 2009 in Germany, for the SEAT Exeo ST Car of the Year 2010 in Finland, by the Finnish magazine Tuulilasi Novelty of the Year 2009 in Catalonia Due to the Exeo being derived from the Audi B7 A4, it shares the same fundamental powertrain layout.
It has engines mounted at the front, they are oriented longitudinally, i.e.: "north south", rather than the "east west" transverse engine layout used in the remainder of the SEAT range. The gearboxes are of a transaxle type, are mounted longitudinally at the rear of the engine. For the 1.8 litre 20 valve Turbo petrol engine, one side mounted intercooler is fitted to the lower front left of the car, below the left headlamp. For the 2.0 TSI petrol, along with the 105 and 125 kilowatts 2.0 litre Turbocharged Direct Injection diesel engines, these use two SMICs, one below the left and right headlamps. All diesel engine variants are common rail Turbocharged Direct Injection engines and includes an exhaust catalytic converter along with a diesel particulate filter. Transmission options included only a six speed manual gearbox. Shortly after launch, the LuK originated multitronic continuously variable transmission, with selectable six or seven speeds, became available on models equipped with the 2.0 TSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel engines.
Distribution of the engine torque to the driven roadwheels is only via the front wheels, there is not a four-wheel drive offering, which the Audi A4 used as an option in its'trademark' quattro. All available internal combustion engines are inline four cylinder four stroke designs and are based on existing units capable to be fitted longitudinally in the Exeo's PL46 platform and have been used in other marques of the Volkswagen Group, they all comply with the European Euro 5 emissions standard, offer the following performance statistics: The Exeo features the same multi link independent front and rear suspension as used on the Audi A4, again with light weight cast aluminium alloy front suspension arms and virtual steering axis uprights. All models are equipped with ZF-supplied power steering, with some models having speed-sensitive'servotronic' variable assistance. Disc brakes are fitted front and rear, with the radially ventilated fronts ranging in diameter from 280 millimetres by 22 millimetres thick, to 320 millimetres by 30 millimetres.
At the rear are solid discs ranging from 245 millimetres by 10 millimetres to 288 millimetres by 12 millimetres. All discs and rear, use a single piston sliding brake caliper. Chassis electronics feature as standard the Bosch ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme, which includes Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, emergency Brake Assist. This ESP system includes Anti Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock traction aids. Roadwheel options vary from a basic 7Jx16 steel wheel with plastic wheel covers, to a number of variants of alloy wheels, from 16" to 18" in diameter. Conventional halogen dual bulb headlamps are standard, with self leveling single source Bi Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights available as an option. Luggage capacity in the saloon variant, measured according to the VDA'block' method, is 460 litres. On the other hand, in the estate Exeo ST variant, the boot size starts from
Audi 80
The Audi 80 was a compact executive car produced by the Audi subdivision of the Volkswagen Group across four generations from 1966 to 1996. It shared its platform with the Volkswagen Passat from 1973 to 1986 and was available as a sedan, station wagon) — the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant; the coupé and convertible models were not badged as members of the range but shared the same platform. In North America and Australia, the 80 was marketed as the Audi Fox for model years 1973–79, as the Audi 4000 for model years 1980–87 in the USA; the Audi 90 was an upmarket version of the Audi 80, although all North American sedans of the B4 generation were called Audi 90. The convertible variant was marketed as the Audi Cabriolet. Under Audi's platform numbering convention, the 80 is classified as a member of the B-series or B platform family of vehicles, with the four generations of 80 being numbered as B1, B2, B3 and B4; this numbering convention ran concurrently with that of the Volkswagen Passat, the first generation of, a badge engineered clone of the Audi 80.
This link was severed in 1988 when the Passat moved to a non-related, transverse-engined, VW-specific platform for its 80-unrelated B3 and B4 versions. It was again based on the Audi A4 for its B5 generation, returned to transverse once again for its B6 and up generations; the Audi F103 series, based on the DKW F102 but with an all-new range of four-stroke engines developed in conjunction with Daimler-Benz, was sold between 1965 and 1972. It comprised several models named for their horsepower ratings. From 1966 to 1969 this series included an Audi 80, there were Audi 60, 72, 75, Super 90 models available over the years; this model debuted in Europe in 1972 as the Audi 80, in 1973 in Australia and North America as the Audi Fox, was available as either a two-door or a four-door saloon. It took the place of several models that Audi had discontinued, provided the company with a viable rival to the Opel Ascona and the Ford Taunus, as well as more upmarket offerings including the Alfa Romeo Alfetta and Triumph Dolomite.
The Audi 80 B1 was only the second modern-era Audi product to be developed under Volkswagen ownership - Audi chief engineer Ludwig Kraus had famously been disparaging about the outgoing F103 series, referring to it as the "bastard", owing to its Auto Union/DKW bodyshell and Mercedes-Benz engine. The B1 was a clean break from the Auto Union era, being equipped with.a range of brand new 1.3- and 1.5-litre SOHC inline-four petrol engines - the first appearance of the now legendary EA827 series of engines, whose descendants are still used in VW Group vehicles to the present day. The internal combustion engines were available in various rated power outputs. For the 1.3-litre engines, was rated at 55 PS, code: ZF was rated at 60 PS. The 1.5-litre at 75 PS for the ZB and 85 PS for the ZC. On the home market, two- and four- door saloons were available in base trim, as L models or as a more luxurious GL. In September 1973, Audi added the sporty 80 GT featuring a carburettor 1.6-litre engine rated at 100 PS.
The Audi 80 had a MacPherson strut front suspension, a C-section beam rear axle located by trailing arms and a Panhard rod, using coil springs and telescopic dampers. Audi's design and development efforts paid off during the 1973 European Car of the Year competition where the 80 won ahead of the Renault 5 and the Alfa Romeo Alfetta. A facelift in autumn 1976 brought about a revised front end in the style of the newly introduced Audi 100 C2 with square instead of round headlights, 1.6- instead of 1.5-litre engines and a new 80 GTE model with a fuel-injected version of the 1.6-litre replacing the former 80 GT. In certain markets a five-door "Avant" variant was offered — a rebadged Volkswagen Passat with Audi front panels; this version, first seen in mid-1975, appeared in the United States, South Africa, several other markets. The Fox had a 1.5 litre engine rated at 55 hp, attached to a four-speed manual transmission. Subsequent versions came with 1.6-litre engines rated at 83 hp. By 1978 more stringent emissions rules meant that this had dropped to 78 hp.
Four-speed manuals or three-speed automatics were in all three bodystyles. Aside from the required larger bumpers, early models looked similar to their European counterparts, while facelift versions received a large black grille with double, round headlights, without the wraparound turn signals used elsewhere. There was a sporting GTi package on offer in years; the B1 platform was dropped from the European market in 1978, although it was sold into the 1979 model year in North America. Audi presented a redesigned 80 based on the B2 platform in September 1978 and deliveries of the four-door sedan began a few weeks in Europe. Deliveries of the fuel injected GLE and two door bodied cars began early in 1979; the redesigned car was first seen in North America in 1979. Audi continued to use the 80 nameplate in Europe, but badged their Typ 81 as the Audi 4000 in North America; the body of the B2 Audi 80 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. No Avant variant was available, as th
SEAT Altea
The SEAT Altea is a compact multi-purpose vehicle produced by the Spanish automaker SEAT from 2004 to 2015. The vehicle was designed by the Italian Walter de Silva, was launched in 2004, as the first example of SEAT's new corporate look; the third generation Toledo was identical, except for the addition of a larger boot. It was launched at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. Another extended version, the Altea XL, is available. In 2007, the Altea Freetrack, with 4WD and higher suspension, was released. On 21 August 2015, SEAT announced that the Altea XL had been discontinued. Although no direct replacement for the Altea was planned, SEAT is following the global shift from MPVs to SUVs, by launching its own SUV model based on the SEAT León. In 2016, the Ateca was launched, the successor to the Altea according to CEO Luca de Meo: "For us, the Ateca is the replacement of the Altea." SEAT sold a total of 439 Altea models in the United Kingdom during 2014, 445 Altea XLs. The Altea was released a few years after many of its competitors arriving on the scene, but it was expected to sell well.
However, it exceeded expectations, 31,223 Alteas were sold within the first year. It is a family oriented five seater, which attempts to portray a more sporty image than most of its rivals; the car is based on Volkswagen Group's A5 platform. An unusual design feature is the'vertical parked' windscreen wipers, which are designed to improve pedestrian safety, they disappear in to the window. The effect is a cleanly swept windscreen, but does mean the'A pillars' are rather wide and cause a blind spot. There were six trim levels: Essence, Reference Sport, Sport and FR. Internal combustion engines are available, with the range topping 2.0 FR Turbocharged Direct Injection delivering 125 kilowatts, available since April 2006. There are four gearboxes available, it is named after the Spanish city of Altea. In March 2014, Auto Express reported that SEAT were working on a family of SUVs, with an estimated release date of 2016, to be based on the same platform as the SEAT León; this proved to be exact, with the launch of the SEAT Ateca SUV in 2016.
In 2004, the SEAT Altea was tested for its safety performance under the Euro NCAP assessment scheme and it achieved a five star overall rating: Adult occupant Child occupant Pedestrian "Red dot: best of the best" design award, from the Nordrhein Westfalen Design Centre'The World's Most Beautiful Automobile 2004', in Milan'Autonis' Design Award, by the Auto-Strassenverkehr and MOT magazines'Best Concept Car in 2003', by the Designers organisation'Towncar of the Year' Award, by Caravan Club in collaboration with the English magazine What Car?'Auto Trophy' 2004 and 2005, by the German car magazine Autozeitung “XII Edición de los Premios del Motor” 2005 award by the Spanish magazine Telva'Coche de Flotas del Año' 2005 award by the Spanish magazine Flotas'Ampe' award in 2005 in the Internet category The following powertrain specifications are available: A flexible-fuel vehicle model was on offer under the label "MultiFuel", featuring the 1.6 MPI E85 102 bhp engine. The SEAT Altea XL is an 18.7 centimetres longer variant of the normal SEAT Altea, a five door five seat compact multi purpose vehicle, with increased luggage capacity compared to the standard Altea.
It was launched was launched at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006. The SEAT Altea Freetrack is dimensionally similar to the Altea XL, but is designed as compact sport-utility vehicle, it features raised suspension for increased ground clearance and larger plastic bumpers, plastic wheel arch and sill extensions, which all increase its exterior dimensions. All versions of the Freetrack, except the 2.0 Turbocharged Direct Injection 2WD, are equipped with a Haldex Traction based on demand four-wheel drive. The 4WD versions are called Seat Altea 4. In Mexico and Russia, the SEAT Altea Freetrack is marketed as the SEAT Freetrack. Although the Freetrack is available with 4WD, it is not marketed by SEAT as an "SUV". However, the Freetrack could be seen as a competitor for small SUVs from other marques; the possible internal combustion engine choices are the same as for the normal Altea. When the car was launched, it was available in a uncommon intense yellow; this colour was seen on models in several promotional brochures.
The colour scheme was no longer available by August 2010. Altea 2006 Award, by the Asociación de Telespectadores de la Comunidad de Andalucía The following powertrain options are available, with certain configurations utilising Volkswagen Groups regarded Direct-Shift Gearbox: A flexible-fuel vehicle model was on offer, under the label "MultiFuel", featuring the 1.6 MPI E85 102 bhp engine. Official website
Audi Q3
The Audi Q3 is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV made by Audi. The Q3 has a transverse-mounted front engine, entered production in 2011. Designed by Julian Hoenig in 2006, it was a concept vehicle with Liquid Silver body colour, 20-inch wheels, fabric folding roof, electrically controlled hood, 4-cylinder 2.0 TDI engine rated at 204 PS and 400 N⋅m, diesel particulate filter and Bluetec emission control system, quattro permanent four-wheel drive system with Haldex clutch, Audi S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, MacPherson strut front axle and a four-link rear axle, Audi drive select system with 3 modes, MMI control panel with touch pad and dual-view technology, sound system with the prominent extending tweeters. The vehicle was unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, 2007; the car uses the Volkswagen Group A5 platform of the Volkswagen Golf Mk5, the same as the Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV. The Q3 slots above the Audi Q2 subcompact crossover SUV. Compared to the compact luxury crossover SUV Q5 and mid-size luxury crossover SUV Q7, which are positioned more for family practicality and off-road performance, the Q3 is aimed as more of a lifestyle/sports automobile.
Design and development began following board approval in the second half of 2007. Julian Hoenig's design was chosen for production and frozen in 2009; the Q3 shares components and engines with amongst other vehicles utilising the PQ35 platform, the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and Škoda Yeti. The vehicle was unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2011; the vehicles went on sale in June 2011. Early models include 2.0 TDI, 2.0 TDI quattro. Indian models went on sale in 2012. Early models include 2.0 TDI quattro China models went on sale at the end of July 2012 as an import vehicle. The Changchun-made Audi Q3 entered market in April 2013, which included 35 TFSI, 35 TFSI quattro, 40 TFSI quattro, with 7-speed S Tronic transmissions.2.0 TDI quattro with 103 kW was introduced in 2012 for Germany market as part of 2012 Paris Motor Show premiere.2.0 TDI quattro was introduced in 2012 for the UK market. It is a concept vehicle based on Audi Q3 with 2.5 TFSI engine rated at 314 PS and 400 N⋅m, 7-speed S tronic transmission, Energy Red body colour, add-on body parts are in matt gray quartz-based paint, flared wheel arches and running boards, five-arm 8.5Jx20 wheels in matt quartz, 255/45 off-road tires, 40 mm wider front and rear track widths and 30 mm higher body ride height over production model.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 at the North American International Auto Show. The name Vail comes from the well-known town in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, United States of the same name. Vail, Colorado has a sponsorship coordination with Audi, it is a version of Audi Q3 with blue body colour, 2.5 TFSI engine rated at 360 PS, 25 mm lowered body and polished aluminum trim frames, single-frame radiator grille, Dark blue Alcantara on contrasting element on the seat covers, black CFRP door mirror housings, while matt aluminum trim at side windows, Ordos Blue body color, blue clearcoat and black CFRP at diffuser insert, clear glass rear lights and auxiliary lights in the bumper tinted in anthracite, black Fine Nappa leather interior upholstery on roofliner, floor carpet, floor mats, leather-upholstered instrument panel and on large areas of the seat upholstery. The vehicle was unveiled in Auto China 2012 in Beijing, and in 2012 Wörthersee Tour. Q3 jinlong yufeng is a version of Audi Q3 with 2.5 TFSI engine rated at 310 PS, 7-speed S tronic transmission, two kiteboards made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, Liuli Yellow body colour, body add-on parts in matt quartz, Vertical aluminum struts in the single-frame radiator grille, xenon plus headlights in anthracite, aluminum panels cover the upper sections of the air intakes, aluminum underbody guard, flared wheel arches, brushed stainless steel running boards, roofliner in titanium gray Alcantara, black interior surfaces, instrument panel upholstered in black Fine Nappa leather and decorated with yellow contrasting seams, fine aluminum accents at instrument cluster, leather-trimmed steering wheel with contrasting yellow seams and two large shift paddles, foot rests and pedal made of stainless steel with rubber caps, seats upholstered in woven leather, side panels of the seat cushions and seatbacks in yellow Velvet leather, Velvet leather in parts of the door trim panels, stainless steel mesh decorative inlays, five-arm 8.5Jx20 wheels in matt quartz, 255/45 off-road tires, 40 mm wider front and rear track widths and 30 mm higher body ride height over production model.
The vehicle was unveiled in Auto China 2012 in Beijing, in 2012 Wörthersee Tour. It is a version of Audi Q3 with 2.5 TFSI engine rated 340 PS and 450 N⋅m, 7-speed S tronic transmission, Energy Red body colour, five-arm 8.5Jx20 wheels in matt quartz, 255/45 off-road tires, 40mm wider front and rear track widths and 30mm higher body ride height over production model, headlining in titanium gray Alcantara, black interior, floor mats in black with narrow strips of red Velvet leather. The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Wörthersee Tour, it is the first production turbo mod
SEAT León
The SEAT León is a hatchback compact car built by the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT since October 1998. The first two León generations used two differing variants of the Volkswagen Group A platform, shared many components with other Volkswagen Group cars; the third generation uses the Volkswagen Group MQB platform used by the Audi A3 Mk3, Volkswagen Golf Mk7 and Škoda Octavia Mk3. The initial SEAT León, launched in 1999, available only as hatchback, the related saloon version was known as the SEAT Toledo, it was based on the Volkswagen Group A4 platform and, as such, shared many components in common with other VW Group models such as the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, Bora and Audi A3. As SEAT's first C-segment model as part of the VW Group, the León Mk1 was marketed as a sportier and cheaper variant of the Golf. To reinforce the sporty image, the vehicle had more aggressive looks; the more expensive versions were equipped with more powerful internal combustion engines, along with firmer suspension to improve handling.
In the interior, the dashboard was derived from that of the first-generation Audi A3. Available engines were the 1.4-litre 16 valve petrol engine which produced a 55 kilowatts, a 1.6-litre 8 valve petrol engine 74 kW, included two variants of the Volkswagen Group's 20 valve turbocharged 1.8-litre powerplant, (with some countries getting the 2.8-litre VR6 engine delivering 150 kW. The original "León 20VT" had a 1.8-litre Turbo with 132 kW, the "León Cupra R" 154 kW becoming 165 kW. It became first available in only three body paints, picked as an homage to the colors of both Spain's and Germany's national flags referring back to the roots of the joint project the model was. In some countries, there was a "Cupra 4". A range of turbocharged direct injection diesel engines was available, including a 110 kW version of Volkswagen Group's 1.9 TDI engine sold as a "Cupra 4 TDI", with 4WD, sold for one year only, only in certain countries passed to "Evolution" series "Top Sport", rebranded as the "FR".
In other countries the model was badged "Cupra" and "FR" before a limited number of cars were fitted with the bodykit from the petrol powered "Cupra R" and named the "FR+". Lesser diesel versions were available with 81 kW and 96 kW outputs. All engines over 96 kW have a standard six-speed manual transmission. Rear suspension was by semi-independent torsion beam for most variants, whilst high-end and 4WD models were fitted with a multi-link independent rear suspension. All versions came with disc brakes on all four wheels. In Mexico, the León became a popular car with upper class young people; the only problem the León has suffered in Mexico is the fact that the sport tuned suspension of the León is not designed to withstand the constant road imperfections such as potholes and speed bumps that abound in Mexican roads. In Switzerland, there was another official version tuned by Abt Sportsline of the León called "SEAT León Cupra 4 Kompressor"; this version had the same 2.8-litre VR6 but with 206 kW and 323 N ⋅ m of torque.
Factory production of the Typ 1M ended in May 2006. However, the appreciation for the SEAT León Cupra R Mk1's appeal remained clear, still up to the'best hot hatchback of all time' poll, conducted in 2010 by Autocar, in which its readers honoured the Cupra R #7, in the top ten list of hatchbacks of all time in their preferences.'Carro do Ano' award in 2001, in Portugal'Most Satisfactory Car of the Year 2007' in Poland, by the Polish magazine Auto Swiat The Typ 1M SEAT León was available with the following internal combustion engines, with most being shared from other marques of the Volkswagen Group: The second generation León, Typ 1P, was released in 2005, with factory production commencing May 2005. It is based on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform, most notably used by the Volkswagen Golf Mk5, it is built in Spain, has a sharper exterior look with vertically parked windscreen wipers, the external rear door handles more integrated, in a similar style to that seen on recent Alfa Romeo models.
Design was handled by Walter de'Silva, the car uses the same design style that started with the SEAT Altea. The base model on offer is the new 16 valve 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine with 77 kW. In some markets, the León is available with a 1.4-litre MPI engine producing 63 kW. The sportier variants begin with the 110 kW 2.0-litre Fuel Stratified Injection and the popular 103 kW 2.0-litre Turbocharged Direct Injection diesel engine. Both are fitted with a standard six-speed manual transmission, with the six-speed or seven-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox available as an option. A 136 kW variant of the 2.0 TFSI unique to the León was introduced, but despite a low list price and rapid performance – attracted only minimal attention and average reviews, so this was discontinued to make way for the sportier FR variants. The first real
