"We want to increase our 340,000 unit sales from last year – by 8 to 10 percent – thanks to existing models. We aim to sell 45,000 units of the Ibiza ST (station wagon) this year. And the Alhambra already is well above plan so we expect a full-year volume of 20,000 units. This proves that our brand is gaining strength," Muir was quoted as saying by Autonews Europe.
For 2012, the company has even bigger plans, fueled by the launch of four new models. "We will launch four new cars: the new Leon, a totally new entry-level model, a four-door sedan and a major Ibiza facelift," said Muir, who was appointed head of Seat in 2009.
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The stock model rolls out of the Spanish firm's factory with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot producing 265HP and 350Nm of torque. Thanks to performance kit that includes a recalibrated ECU, a sport air filer and a new exhaust system, the tuner increases those numbers to 330HP and 420Nm.
The Cupra R is powered by a VW Group-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot delivering a maximum output of 265HP and a peak torque of 350 Nm at 2,500 rpm that drive the front-wheels through a revised six-speed manual gearbox.
The tuning specialists over at JE Design are planning to debut their 2010 Seat Leon FR at this month's Essen Motor Show in Germany. The performance package includes upgrades for both the TSI gasoline and TDI diesel versions of the Spanish hatchback. In its latest form, the 2.0-liter TSI petrol engine delivers 211HP and 280Nm of torque. With JE Design's engine kit that's priced at €1,499, the TSI's output is lifted to 270HP and 335Nm reducing the Leon FR's zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time from 7.1 to 6.2 seconds.The 170HP 2.0-liter diesel engine's gets a nudge to 204HP and 380Nm of torque. This extra muscle helps cut 0-100km/h acceleration from 8.2 to 7.6 seconds. The price for this kit is €1,339 Euros and also includes VAT, assembly and warranty.
The tuner shop offers a set of lowering springs (€159) to bring the car 35mm closer to the ground while there's also an adjustable coilover suspension (€979) that allows the driver to drop the vehicle's height between 15mm and 40mm. A set of 19-inch multispoke alloy wheels shod in 225/35R 19 rubber priced at €2,930 complete the performance tweaks.
For the exterior, JE Design offers a bevy of upgrades including headlamp covers (€89), LED daytime running lights (€299) and its aerodynamics package that comprises of a front spoiler (€279), side skirts (€299), rear apron (€299) and the centre diffuser attachment (€99) plus a four-pipe muffler system (€899) and a pair of Lamborghini-style scissor doors (€1,499).
Finally, the interior can be modded with a leather treatment for the seats, door linings and the centre armrest (€1,599), a two-stage seat heating function (€379) and even a massage system with twelve programmes for the front seats (€429).
This year's Frankfurt Motor Show, being held from 17-27 September, will see Seat unveiling its most potent series production model to date, the new Leon Cupra R. Based on the 2009MY Leon Cupra facelift that was revealed at the Barcelona Show in April, the R replaces the standard model's 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot with a 265-horsepower direct injection 2.0 TSI.It's not clear if the 2.0 TSI is the same engine found in the Audi S3, but Seat claims that the new four-banger features a new, high-pressure fuel pump injector to "satisfy its greater performance demands, while fully complying with strict EU5 emissions standards."S
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he extra grunt allows the front-wheel drive only Leon Cupra R to slash the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint from 6.4 seconds (standard Cupra) to 6.1 seconds and top speed climbs from 247 km/h (154mph) to 250 km/h (155mph). The standing kilometer takes 25.7 seconds while Seat announces a combined fuel economy of 8.1 lt / 100km or 29mpg US / 34.9mpg UK.
Aside from the 'R' logos on the central grille and at the lower right of the hatch, the right instrument dial and the remote control key, the range-topping Leon also gets 19 inch, five double-spoke wheels shod with 235/35 tyres. The larger wheel assembly allowed Seat's engineers to upgrade the braking system with 17 inch 345 x 30 mm discs at the front and 16 inch 286 x 12 mm at the rear.
Inside the Leon Cupra R gets a pair of racing-style bucket seats in grey alcantara upholstery, LED lighting on the instrument dials, a leather multi-functional steering wheel and an aluminum pedal arrangement.
Seat is expected to reveal further details including prices and the official launch of the Leon Cupra R date closer to the Frankfurt Show.
