The first SEAT Leon was introduced in 1998 and the MK2 found its way onto the market in 2005.It is still being produced. This model was designed by Walter De’Silva,as was the SEAT IBIZA MK3 and it certainly has similarities to the earlier design.

However this car is marketed as a family car, although it does have a sporty image. It’s a 5 door hatchback again with petrol or diesel engines, but there is also an alternative Liquefied Petroleum Gas [LPG] engine in this model. It’s assembled in Spain only, currently, and the basic model has a 16 valve 1.2 liter petrol engine.

The sportier version is the Leon FR which was launched in June 2006 and this has 6 or 7 speed Direct Shift Gear [DSG] options. The top of the range model is the 2.0 liter Cupra model, again a sporty variety of Leon. In 2009 the Cupra was used in the SEAT CUPRA mobile game marketed by Apple for its iPhone or iPod.

The Leon’s sales record is mixed. It is popular with Mexico’s young upper classes but has problems because of the sorry state of the roads and its sport tuned suspension. In Britain, sales have been good, although it has not met with as much success as the VW Golf MK4 which it was to compete with, being cheaper and in the same category.

This model was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008 and first went on sale in the summer of that year, competing with superminis manufactured by other car producers. It comes in 3 and 5 door hatchback models and there is also an estate. It was designed by Luc Donckerwolke.

A special version of this model was on show at the Barcelona Motor Show in 2009, made to celebrate the car’s 25th anniversary.

In 2010, the TDI {Turbocharged Direct Injection] diesel engine was introduced in the 5 door model of this car. Perhaps more importantly in 2008, it gained a five star safety rating for adult and child passengers under the EURO NCAP assessment scheme. The car is still being produced.

The SEAT MK3 continued the success of the MK2 and once again concentrated on marketing this model to the young car buyer. It capitalized on the sporty image of its predecessor and the new design by Walter De’Silva was certainly sporty and more aggressive.

As with the MK2 it came in 3 and 5 door hatchback models, but there was no estate model, probably as this would have been bad for its new image. It was not a model that was aimed at the family market. Once again it was available with either petrol or diesel engines, but these came in increased capacities.

This IBIZA model was launched in 2002 and in 2003 it was awarded the British magazine’s “What Car?” coveted title, Car of the Year. For three consecutive years it was also their “Supermini of the Year”.

It is the largest IBIZA that has been manufactured, having the capability of seating 5 adults and with a spacious, albeit short, boot [trunk].

In 2006 it underwent some cosmetic changes both inside and out, but basically remained the same car. It did, however increased engine powers have. This model last came off the production line in 2008.

The SEAT IBIZA Mk2s were first manufactured in 1993 and were discontinued in 2002.They were made by the VolksWagon Group and assembled in Spain and Brazil. The car was named after the Spanish island of Ibiza, which was and is popular with young people as a holiday destination.

Buyers had a choice of purchasing petrol or diesel fuelled versions with various engine capacities, i.e. I.05, 1.4, 1.6,and 1.8 petrol engines, and Turbocharged Direct Injection and Suction Diesel Injection [SDI] diesel engines, the same choices as purchasers had with the VW Polo.

The SEAT IBIZA MK2 suffered badly from comparisons to the VW Polo and was generally viewed as being its poor relation. In its early years the SEAT IBIZA MK2 was seen to be unreliable and of inferior quality when compared to the Polo and cars in the same niche of the market manufactured by other carmakers.

This perception changed, however, as it became a successful rally car, improving both its image and sales figures. It was marketed to the younger car buying generation and was advertised as sporty and affordable.

It finally proved, arguably, to be one of the best cars in Europe and had lost its earlier reputation of being unreliable.

The SEAT Altea XL is a compact, multi-purpose vehicle [MPV] with 5 doors, and seats 5.It is 18.7 cms longer than the standard Altea with more luggage space.

The SEAT Altea Freetrack is the same size as the XL, but is classed as a sports-utility vehicle [SUV] as it has a larger exterior because of its raised suspension, and other features.

The Freetrack is available in a 4- wheel drive version, which is called the SEAT Altea 4.The Freetrack is not advertised as a SUV, although it competes with small SUVs manufactured by other companies.

Engine choices for the Freetrack are the same as for the standard Altea.