SEAT announces pricing and specs for new Leon X-Perience

• X-PERIENCE becomes latest addition to high-selling Leon line-up
• ST-based lifestyle estate with permanent four-wheel-drive, extra ground clearance and specific off-road look
• Unique X-PERIENCE interior touches and premium equipment level
• Two trims: SE and SE Technology. Optional Lux Pack for £1,250
• Available with 2.0 TDI 150 and 184 PS engines, latter with DSG
• Priced £24,385 to £28,870
• UK ordering opens 1 September 2014, ahead of showroom launch in December

SEAT has confirmed pricing and specification for the latest addition to the high-selling Leon line-up. Called X-PERIENCE, the new lifestyle estate with permanent four-wheel-drive and off-roader looks starts from £24,385 on-the-road.

The Barcelona-based brand recently confirmed that its eagerly-awaited compact SUV will arrive in 2016, so the newcomer will be seeking to gain traction for SEAT in the lead-up to its launch.

With four-wheel-drive and extra ground clearance, Leon X-PERIENCE is capable in all road situations and poor weather conditions. Inside and out, it retains all of the ST’s style and versatility, including its sizeable 587-litre boot, which rises to 1,470 litres with the rear seats folded at the pull of a single lever.

The range-topping estate is immediately recognisable through its all-road looks. Among the accoutrements are protection mouldings on the door sills and wheel arches, to give it a robust look, plus aluminium look touches for the rear bumper and lower front spoiler.

Other elements singling it out as the ultimate Leon ST, are integrated fog lamps and twin chrome tailpipes, together with substantial air intakes at the front.

It’s got the substance to match the style too. Featuring all-road suspension with extra ground clearance, Leon X-PERIENCE is as at home on gravel and snow as it is on tarmac.

Underneath its upmarket look is the 4Drive all-wheel-drive system with intelligent EDS dynamic control, which accurately distributes weight between all four wheels, increasing traction to improve handling and stability. There’s also an extended electronic differential lock (XDS) for better traction while cornering.

Available to order from 1 September, Leon X-PERIENCE comes in two trim levels, SE and SE Technology. Offering a significantly enhanced standard specification over equivalent Leon STs, the range kicks off at £24,385 for the SE 2.0 TDI 150 manual. The same powered SE Technology version comes in at £26,370, while the 2.0 TDI 184 with DSG transmission tops out at £28,870.

Both versions are brimming with kit. Immediately distinguishable from other Leons, SE features 17-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels, black roof rails and dark tinted rear windows. Rear parking sensors and twin exhaust tailpipes complete the look.

The premium feel continues on the inside, with dual zone climate control, leather steering wheel with orange stitching and X-PERIENCE logo, and cloth upholstered front sports seats with simil leather bolsters. Rounding off its practical nature is Hill Hold Control and a chrome loading sill for added protection when four-legged friends scrabble into the boot.

Upgrading to SE Technology costs £1,985, but brings a wealth of extras, which would cost £3,500 if bought individually. Befitting the name, many of them are high-end, such as SEAT Media System Plus with 5.8-inch colour touchscreen, DAB and satellite navigation, plus auto headlights, wipers and dimming rear view mirror.

On the outside, the flagship gains SEAT’s unique LED headlights and taillights, electrically folding door mirrors and 18-inch ‘X-PERIENCE’ machined alloy wheels. The interior gets even plusher too, with bespoke Alcantara upholstery and simil leather bolsters.

Latest-generation 4Drive system

The permanent all-wheel-drive in the new Leon X-PERIENCE is among the most modern and efficient systems of its kind. SEAT uses a newly developed multi-plate clutch with hydraulic actuation and electronic control – a fifth-generation Haldex clutch. In real world driving this means that the car is driven through the front wheels, with the 4Drive system continually monitoring real-time driving conditions. If it detects any loss in traction, it reacts within milliseconds to send torque smoothly to the wheels with the most grip.

While 4Drive copes with the terrain, the X-PERIENCE 2.0 TDI 184 DSG version also comes with SEAT Drive Profile, so that the driving experience can be tailored according to Normal, Sport and Eco modes.

Optional LUX pack

Leon X-PERIENCE is already well kitted out from a comfort, practicality and luxury point of view. Nevertheless, those opting for the SE Technology can take things to another level with the £1,250 Lux pack. The comprehensive upgrade combines black leather upholstery with simil leather bolsters, heated front seats, headlight washers and heated washer nozzles, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and chrome roof rails.

Plenty of individual options also abound across the range, such as panoramic sunroof, towbar pre-install, SEAT Sound audio system, and, crucially for adventurous types going off the beaten track, a space saver spare wheel (18-inch).

UK ordering for Leon X-PERIENCE opens on 1 September 2014, ahead of showroom launch in December.

New rugged Insignia added to range

• Top-of-the-range Sports Tourer with SUV characteristics
• Higher ground clearance and distinct protective body elements
• Advanced all-wheel drive with variable torque delivery
• Two powerful turbo-diesel engines with up to 400Nm torque

Vauxhall is set to add a rugged SUV-inspired all-purpose estate to its New Insignia range later this year.

Known as the Insignia Country Tourer, and based on the Sports Tourer model, but with all-wheel drive, higher ground clearance and tougher styling, the new car will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

DESIGN

With its signature griffin grille, now wider and deeper, the front styling is distinctively Vauxhall. The grille’s horizontal chrome bar carries the central brand emblem and is sculpted in a wing form, with its outer tips turned upwards alongside the headlamps. A protective panel, in a gleaming silver finish, sweeps out from under the engine compartment; a prominent design theme echoed at the rear.

Another feature is the anthracite-coloured protective cladding on the side sills and lower body sections, which gives the wheel-arches a more pronounced, flared look.

A final visual flourish is provided by distinctive front and rear light units. The headlamps, with embedded chrome accents, incorporate wing-style LED daytime running lights. This theme is repeated at the rear, with LED brake and taillights.

POWERTRAINS

State-of-the-art all-wheel drive is combined with two powerful turbo-diesel engines: a 2.0-litre BiTurbo CDTi, producing 195PS and 400Nm of torque, and a 2.0-litre CDTi with 165PS and up to 380Nm torque available. A choice of six-speed manual or a low-friction, six-speed automatic transmission is available on the 2.0-litre (165PS) diesel engine.  The 2.0-litre (195PS) BiTurbo diesel engine is available in automatic only.

DRIVETRAIN

The electronically controlled 4x4 drivetrain incorporates a high-quality clutch, operating on Haldex principles, and an electronic limited-slip differential to ensure superb traction on both paved and unpaved surfaces. It constantly adapts to the prevailing road conditions, and can vary torque distribution seamlessly between the front and rear axles, as well as between the rear wheels, even before a wheel begins to slip.

When necessary, the clutch controlling drive distribution immediately sends more torque to the rear axle. The 4x4 system’s sensors constantly feed individual control modules with information on yaw rate, acceleration, steering angle, wheel speed, throttle pedal position, engine speed and torque. The front/rear power distribution is constantly adapted to the driving situation based on this information.

Ultimate stability and higher dynamics are ensured by the electronically-controlled rear-axle Limited Slip Differential (eLSD). The eLSD controls the distribution of torque between the rear wheels, transferring drive torque to the wheel that has the most grip. While offering better traction in slippery conditions, the sophisticated operation of this adaptive 4x4 drive system guarantees the highest levels of driver control and active safety in all situations. The Insignia Country Tourer can even provide propulsion when three wheels are on loose or slippery ground and only one rear wheel has traction.

The adaptive all-wheel system also supports drivers in non-critical situations. To reduce frictional losses and save fuel, the system automatically reverts to front-wheel drive whenever it senses that no adaptive interventions are required.

Off road, the new Insignia Country Tourer also benefits from larger tyres and a raised ride height, in addition to its four-wheel drive traction. Ground clearance is 20mm higher than on a standard model, a major advantage when encountering loose, uneven terrain.

“The Insignia Country Tourer is perfect for a winter holiday, on snowy roads, or simply when the going gets tough,” said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall’s Head of Carline Brand.  “Even on urban roads its robust looks give it strong stand-out appeal.”