Performance Review: Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Leon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR is the 6 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 1968cc 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 1350 kgs (2976 lbs) this makes the Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 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 1968cc 16V St4 engine produces 181 bhp (134 kW) @ 4000 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 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 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 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B (159.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Leon.

The Seat Leon has a Power to weight ratio of 134.0 bhp per ton and 207.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 Leon competing with the 2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B (159.0 bhp per ton) or the 2016 Alfa-Romeo Stelvio 2.0 Turbo 16v Q4 (159.0 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 207.4 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 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (232.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1962 Iso Rivolta IR 340 5.4L V8 (232.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.5 secs, this made the Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR as fast as the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the or the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (7.30 secs). This Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the and the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Leon and the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988

When talking about the performance of the Seat Leon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.99 secs @ 85.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988 (15.92 secs), the 2004 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 (15.92 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - EDM (15.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 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 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR 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 Dodge Neon 2.4 SRT-4 (153 mph).

Related Links:

2013 Leon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison