Seat Shows New Leon Compact Hatch, Confirms Three-Door and Estate Variants [64 Photos & Videos]

Seat is welcoming visitors at the 2012 Paris Motor Show with its all-new Leon compact hatchback, as well as the company’s redesigned logo.

Speaking about the introduction of the logo and the Leon during the company's press conference in Paris, Seat President James Muir also confirmed the addition of two more body styles to the compact model's range.

“The new Leon will be the first SEAT to wear the new logo. And, the new Leon will be a key pillar in our future success – especially when the Leon family expands to include a striking three-door version and a versatile, stylish wagon," said Muir.

The third generation of the Leon is the third vehicle in the Volkswagen Group family to adopt the firm's flexible and lightweight MQB after the VW Golf Mk7 and the new Audi A3 hatchbacks, all of which compete in the C-segment.

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Scoop: New Seat Leon Three-Door Modeled After the IBE Concept

We have already told you that next year's Seat Leon 3-door hatchback will draw heavily on the 2010 IBE Concept, but artist Khalil Bouguerra wanted to give us a preview of the sporty compact model with a realistic rendering.

The CGI mixes styling cues from the study and the new five-door Leon that will receive its world premiere at the Paris Auto Show this September.

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Future Cars: 2013 Seat Leon Cupra R Visualized

With the first juicy details and photos of the all-new Seat Leon Mk3 out in the open, it's time to imagine what the range-topping Cupra / Cupra R model, likely to be presented next year, could look like.

The design made by Khalil Bouguerra suggests that Seat will adorn the Cupra model with a black finish for the grille surround, alloy wheels and mirror caps while also adding a new rear bumper with side vents, a diffuser and a centrally mounted single exhaust pipe.

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All-New 2013 Seat Leon Officially Revealed, 21 HD Photos, Video and Details

The new, third generation of the Seat Leon was officially unveiled today, some two-and-a-half months prior to its Paris Motor Show debut in front of the public in late September.

Seen here in five-door trim, the new Leon will also be available in a sportier looking three-door hatchback body style as well as an estate variant, with all three models to be launched into the market by next fall.

The new Leon sports a sharper look with more creases that brings to mind the IBE Concept as well as the Ibiza. Due to the fact that there will be a three-door Leon, Seat has replaced the current model's hidden rear door grips with conventional handles mounted on the doors.

The Leon is also the first Seat car to wear the company’s newly designed badge, which will eventually be used on all models.

Inside, the Leon Mk3 features a contemporary design with an instrument panel that looks very similar to the one found in the latest Audi A3. Seat officials say the materials, finish and attention to details are "at least as good as you can find in the segment above."

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2013 Seat Leon: First Official Photos of All-New MQB-Based Hatchback

From the land that has brought us tons of automotive joy through the widespread use of dashcams come the first official photos of the brand-new Seat Leon in five-door hatchback form ahead of its world premiere in Paris this fall.

This is the third generation of Seat's compact model and the second vehicle from the Volkswagen Group to utilize the firm's new modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform architecture after the Audi A3 hatch.

The five-door model seen in these pictures in both regular and sportier FR trims features an edgier design than the softer and more rounded outgoing model. The styling of the new Leon was previewed through the sporty IBE Coupe Concept shown in Geneva and Frankfurt last year.

Seat has also swapped the current model's hidden rear door grips for conventional handles mounted on the doors, which may have something to do with the fact that the Spanish brand is aiming to expand the Leon's lineup with a sportier looking three-door model much in the likes of the IBE Concept and a stylish estate version.

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Scoop: Is This the All-New 2013 Seat Leon Mk3 Hatchback?

A Spanish forum has posted what they claim to be the first undisguised photo of the third generation Seat Leon hatchback ahead of a rumored official debut next week and well before the car's world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The photo shows the rear end of the car, the sharp styling of which appears to be inspired by the 2010 Seat IBE sports hatch concept.

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