2001 - Espera Pontarlier

Seat Leon Coupé - 2001

In its early days, Seat was synonymous with a rebadged Fiat. Nothing very glorious, despite a few specific models. In the 1980s, the Spanish brand became part of the Volkswagen group. After a period of assimilation, it now represents the sporty side of the group, a sort of Hispanic Alfa Romeo. The Leon, introduced in 1999, embodies this orientation, notably with the surprising V6-powered Cupra. Surprisingly, however, only a 5-door version is currently available. For Seat's management, the Leon range lacks a coupé. And if possible, a very sporty coupé. That's where Franco Sbarro comes in.

New rear end with vertical rear window and disappearing tailgate

Sporty coupé

Here, the problem could be summed up as follows: design a coupé based on the Leon 1.8 20V sedan, with the obligation to respect the brand's identity. The result, as you can see, fulfilled Seat's expectations. And then some.
The rear mid-engine needs fresh air, hence the air intakes.

Rear central engine

For in the story, Sbarro's students moved the engine. From front-wheel drive with a front engine, the Leon became a rear-wheel drive with a central engine. The same "problem" happened to a certain Mégane, also reviewed in Espera. History begins anew! The new architecture is perfectly in tune with Seat's sporty image.

The Leon's original design has been preserved, despite the radical mechanical changes.

More than just tuning

The original tailgate has been replaced by a small vertical window and a horizontal hood pierced by two air vents. The whole is reminiscent of the Dino 246 and Ferrari 308. The rear of the car has been widened by 20 centimetres, for a total width of 192 cm. Large side air intakes supply the engine with fresh air. A great effort has been made to respect the Leon's original styling: the result is commendable. You'd think the car had just rolled off the assembly line in a Spanish factory.

Among the classic recipes borrowed from the world of tuning, we find, in no particular order, 18-inch AEZ wheels shod with Yokohama 225/40 ZR 18 at the front and 245/40 ZR 18 at the rear, a quadruple exhaust tailpipe signed Cesam, a small movable rear spoiler and a tubular trellis anti-skid bar. As for the interior, apart from the disappearance of the rear seats, no changes have been made to the basic version.

Presented at the Essen Motor Show at the end of 2001, this attractive Leon coupé would have delighted many sports car enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it remained a concept car. What a shame!
In brief
1- Seat control
2- Rear central engine
3- No tailgate
  • Seat four-cylinder engine
  • Transverse rear mid-engine position
  • Displacement 1781 cm3
  • Tires front: 225/40 ZR 18 Yokohama; rear: 245/40 ZR 18 Yokohama
  • Front width 1.72 m; rear width 1.92 m
  • 210 horsepower