For a number of years now, Le\u00f3n has been not only Seat\u2019s best-seller, but also the conceptual inspiration, in terms of design, for other models cooked up in the Martorell workshop. In its fourth generation, and much richer in features compared to the previous ones, the Le\u00f3n exploits its new dimensions and the resulting new proportions to offer a formal language to vehicles that will emerge in the next few years. \u201cBy simplifying the structure of our design\u201d, Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos explains, \u201cwe have instilled the new Le\u00f3n with a lot of elegance\u201d. This time isn\u2019t one of the happiest, but hopes are high.<\/p>\n<\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div>Aligned with competitors<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Mesonero-Romanos was, until last July, in charge of design for the Spanish manufacturer and the new Le\u00f3n was created under his guidance. Based on the flexible MQB37 platform, the same as the Golf 8, the new Le\u00f3n has practically the same width and height of the previous model, but is significantly longer: 86 mm in the 5-door version (4.37 metres) and 93 in the Sportstourer wagon (4.64 metres), which translates into a wheelbase that is 50 mm longer and, thus, into more space for the passengers. Mesonero-Romanos admits that those dimensions were a challenge for the designers. \u201cNow, however\u201d, he adds, \u201cwe are aligned with the direct competitors in the C-segment\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div> Atemporal Design<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The first drafts date back to the end of 2015, through the typical competition between all the designers. The winning proposal for the exteriors was that of Dani Garcia, who would then have a key role in the team led by Joaquin Garcia. About 85% of the work was done digitally, with foam models before the three clay ones that would lead to the final solutions. \u201cAll three had a very similar philosophy, which was refined right from the sketches and the first maths work, one was more extroverted, with more pronounced features, another had more subtle and elegant lines, but, in the end, we found the right balance between elegance, character, sportiness, with an atemporal design that is simple, yet enduring\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div> Vertical front end<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n It isn\u2019t always simple to inject elegance and sportiness into a compact segment, but the Martorell designers managed through a strong conceptual evolution that plays on a strong character and cleaner lines. Let\u2019s take, for example, the strong three-dimensional connection between the grille and the LED light units pushed backwards; or the bonnet that gives more verticality to the nose; or the A-pillars, pushed backwards to increase the vehicle\u2019s front proportions. The Le\u00f3n\u2019s dynamic personality is also expressed in the tail lights that stretch, as people say now, \u201cfrom coast to coast\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div>