[Auto] SEAT León eHybrid, this is the compact plug-in hybrid

[Dr.Drako]

Without a doubt, the great novelty behind the SEAT León 2020 is the arrival of electrification to its mechanics. The offer covers micro-hybrid gasoline engines and a plug-in hybrid version, the SEAT León eHybrid.


It is, without a doubt, a decided commitment within the compact segment, where few vehicles have this technology (the Mercedes A-Class 250 e was the first to arrive.

The powertrain is identical to that used by the Skoda Octavia iV or Golf GTE. It combines a 150PS 1.4 TSI gasoline engine and a 75 kW (102 PS) electric motor, with a combined output of 204 PS. It is transmitted to the front wheels by a six-ratio DSG automatic transmission.

The electrical energy is stored in a 13 kWh lithium-ion battery, enough for the car to move without emissions "more than 50 km" (data pending homologation).

This mechanical bet, which in addition to the five-door body will also be offered in the Leon Sportstourer family car. Like the Tarraco PHEV, the brand's first plug-in hybrid, it is initially associated with the sportier finish, the FR. It makes sense, being the most powerful variant in the range.

In this way, it takes from the FR termination its grill with a honeycomb patterned black, the bumper with larger air intakes. Hide the exhaust outlets under the rear bumper and behind there we also find its name and the model name in other typography. They are the only changes, apart from the charging point cover on the left front wing.

here are few changes inside, beyond the new menus that report the battery level, recharge management or power management mode (among three possibilities). There is no lack of driving assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control or the new departure assistant (informs if another car is approaching when you are about to leave yours.
 

Also interesting is the great commitment to connectivity. With the SEAT Connect application it is possible to access information about the car from the mobile (location, status of doors and lights, warning if a speed preset by another person is exceeded ...). The León eHybrid also offers the e-Manager function to manage the load or the climate control remotely.