ALL-NEW SEAT LEON REVEALED

More body styles, new look, higher spec and an all-new platform for third-gen Leon.

SEAT has unveiled its new Leon hatchback, the first ground-up design from SEAT for what seems like ages (in fact we reckon you'd have to go all the way back to the Ibiza and 2008 for the last genuinely 'bespoke' SEAT design).

The new Leon is to be officially launched to the public at the Paris motor show in September. It will also be underpinned by VW's new 'MQB' platform family (that's Modularer Querbaukasten or 'modular transverse matrix') that's already serving in the new Audio A3 and will form the basis of the next Golf and Skoda Octavia. As a result of the new platform, the Leon is expected to shed around 85kg in weight from the kerb weight of the current model.

Unlike previous Leons, the new car will also get a variety of body styles, as a lifestyle estate version and a three-door hatch (something that has allegedly been 'forbidden' up until now by parent company VW) will join the initial five-door model soon after launch. As with the current car, Ecomotive, FR and Cupra versions are expected to be available

SEAT is also broadening its model line-up with five petrol engines ranging from 86hp up to 180hp in 1.8-litre FR guise, while four diesel motors will be offered, producing from 90hp for the base 1.6 and up to 184hp and 280lb ft from the 2.0 TDI range-topper. Transmissions will be either five- or six-speed manuals or six-and seven-speed DSGs.

The cabin, meanwhile, has been treated to a more upmarket treatment (says SEAT), as the Spanish manufacturer has targeted improved fit and finish levels and a higher standard of spec, including much in the way of leather and Alcantara on more expensive models.

UK prices and spec are to be announced next year.

Source pistonheads.com

VAUXHALL ADAM OFFICIALLY REVEALED

Silly name and silly trims for what might actually be a sensible car.

It's the car you've all been waiting for, and Vauxhall/Opel is so excited about it they felt the need for an all upper-case name. So here they are: the first official pics and spec of the ADAM city car.

And although it is tempting to take the pee out of such a silly name and RANDOM use of block CAPS (in fact it's impossible not to), this is a significant car for Vauxhall.

So let's get the sensible stuff out of the way first. The city car class (or A-segment) is awash with retro design, so it's genuinely refreshing to see that the ADAM is unashamedly modern and different (if a little bit 'grinny' around the nose).

It's also good to see Vauxhall making the right noises about 'customisability'. Mini and, to a lesser extent, Fiat with the 500 have made hay by providing a multitude of option combinations, and Vauxhall is proud to point out that the ADAM can be had in a million different combinations of trim and equipment.

Eventually, the ADAM will also be the first Vauxhall to get an all-new direct-injection, forced induction engine (possibly a three-cylinder item) and six-speed gearbox, though launch cars will be five-speed with older engine designs.

And now the silly stuff. There are three basic trim levels for the ADAM: the JAM, the GLAM and the SLAM. We joke not. With the Jam (can't keep those block caps up, they're too irritating) you get the 'funky side of Adam'. The Glam, on the other hand, is 'sleek and elegant' with 'luxurious colours and chic fabrics'. Then there's the Slam, which has 'attitude and energy', 'vivid colours' and a 'racing steering wheel'.

All of which sounds lovely, if a little over-wrought. But tell us this: could you really see yourself driving around in something called an ADAM JAM? Guess we'll find out who answers yes to that question when the car goes on sale in January 2013...

Source pistonheads.com





MERCEDES CLS SHOOTING BRAKE UNVEILED

Sleek estate gets world debut at Brooklands, and an AMG version's on the way...

Mercedes has shown off its new CLS Shooting Brake estate to the world at its Mercedes-Benz World uber-showroom at Brooklands.

The swoopy wagon is the production version of the Shooting Break concept that was unveiled at the Beijing motor show back in 2010 to widespread acclaim.

That confusion over the name has happily been settled now, and thus Mercedes presents its new estate as simply the CLS Shooting Brake, returning to the more traditional nomenclature.

As for the car itself, the front end is more or less identical to the saloon version of the CLS, but the bodywork aft of the A-pillar is unique to the Shooting Brake (a car that incidentally is one of 10 forthcoming new models with no direct predecessor). With five doors and a swooping estate roofline, it is clearly a wagon, but it also (says Mercedes) hits the same coupe-like spot as its four-door sibling. Rather like a Reliant Scimitar, a car that Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche actually cites as spiritual inspiration for the new car.

When it hits showrooms in November, the CLS Shooting Brake will be available with a choice of four-cylinder diesel, six cylinder diesel, V6 petrol and a V8 petrol. Power outputs for the model, which shares its motors with the saloon, range from 204hp for the base diesel to 408hp for the 4.6-litre turbo V8.

That v8's not the range-topper, though - fans of fast estates will be pleased to learn that a CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake is in the works, complete with stonking 5.5-litre biturbo V8