Performance Review: Seat Leon Linea R 2.0 TSI FR DSG - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Leon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Leon Linea R 2.0 TSI FR DSG is the 6 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Seat Leon has a 1984cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Leon shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Leon's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1369 kgs (3018 lbs) this makes the Seat Leon Linea R 2.0 TSI FR DSG in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Seat Leon shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1984cc 20V St4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 5100 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 207 lb-ft (280.6 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Seat Leon you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1982 Lamborghini Jalpa 350 S (168.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Leon.

The Seat Leon has a Power to weight ratio of 143.9 bhp per ton and 151.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Leon competing with the 1982 Lamborghini Jalpa 350 S (168.9 bhp per ton) or the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71 (168.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Seat Leon generating around 151.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1995 BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto (176.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1994 Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo (176.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the Seat Leon Linea R 2.0 TSI FR DSG as fast as the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs). This Seat Leon Linea R 2.0 TSI FR DSG is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Leon and the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S

When talking about the performance of the Seat Leon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.62 secs @ 87.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Lotus Elise S2 1.8 111S (15.55 secs), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (15.56 secs), and the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Seat Leon Linea R 2.0 TSI FR DSG has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Leon equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Seat Leon Linea R 2.0 TSI FR DSG then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (153 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Leon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison