Performance Review: Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Leon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG is the 7 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Seat Leon has a 1798cc 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 1307 kgs (2881 lbs) this makes the Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG in the same weight category as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R or the give or take 50kg.

The Seat Leon shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 1798cc 16V St4 engine produces 177 bhp (131 kW) @ 5100 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 184 lb-ft (249.4 Nm) @ 1250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (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 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (160.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Leon.

The Seat Leon has a Power to weight ratio of 135.4 bhp per ton and 140.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 Leon competing with the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (160.3 bhp per ton) or the 1984 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo (160.2 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 140.7 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 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (165.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1993 Mazda RX7 FD Turbo (165.6 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 SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop 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 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2009 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.4 Turbo (7.00 secs). This Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop 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 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182

When talking about the performance of the Seat Leon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.95 secs @ 85.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (15.88 secs), the 2011 Infiniti FX 37 3.7 V6 (15.88 secs), and the 2018 BMW X7 M50d 3.0 Turbo (15.88 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG has a maximum speed of 139mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 Leon equals the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph), the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 (150 mph), or the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (150 mph).

Related Links:

2013 Leon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison