2000 Seat Leon

The first-generation was the hatchback version of the SEAT Toledo, based on the Mk4 Golf floorpan, and drew from the VW parts bin sharing many components in common with the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf. As SEAT's best selling car, the León Mk1 was marketed as a sportier and cheaper variant of the Golf. To reinforce the sporty image, the vehicle has aggressive looks and is equipped with firm suspension to improve handling. The more expensive versions are equipped with powerful engines.

Available engines were the 75PS (74hp/ 55.2kW) 1.4 litre 16 valve petrol, 100PS (98.6hp/ 73.5kW) 1.6 litre 8 valve petrol (quickly replaced with a 16 valve 105PS (103.6hp/ 77.2kW) unit) and included two variants of the Volkswagen Group's 20 valve turbocharged 1.8litre powerplant, (with some countries also getting the 2.8litre VR6 delivering 204PS (150kW). The original León Cupra (which became known as the Cupra T) had a 1.8 litre Turbo with 180PS (132kW), and the León Cupra R 210PS (165kW), later becoming 225PS (221.9hp/ 165.5kW). A range of TDI Diesel engines was available, including a 150PS (110kW) version of VW's 1.9 TDI engine, originally sold as a Cupra 4 TDI, with 4 wheel drive, that was sold for 1 year only, and only in certain countries, then passed to Evolution series, then Top Sport and later rebranded as the FR (Formula Racing). Lesser diesel versions were available with 90, 110 and 130PS (128.2hp/ 95.6kW) outputs.