SEAT's New 1.4 TSI Engine Provides Excellent Features and Performance in a Small Size

- 125 hp output and only 155 g/km of CO2 emissions
- New navigation system with touch screen and 30 Gb memory hard disc
- The SEAT Altea and SEAT Altea XL feature new interior trim

Martorell, 26-11-2007 -- Starting this month, the SEAT Altea, SEAT Altea XL and SEAT León ranges have all been extended with the 125 hp 1.4 TSI engine. This engine fills the gap between the 102 hp 1.6 and the 160 hp 1.8 TSI versions in the petrol range.

This engine is featured on the Altea and the Altea XL in their Stylance versions, and on the León in its Stylance and Sport-up versions.

The new 1.4 engine combines direct injection with supercharging to obtain a maximum output of 125 hp and lower fuel consumption and emissions. Combined fuel consumption figures total only 6.5 litres for every 100 km of driving and CO2 emissions of only 155 g/km. Next year, these three models equipped with this engine will fall into the new 4.75% registration tax bracket.

Besides the new engine, the entire range welcomes the new SEAT Mediasystem navigator, and the choice of two different colour schemes on the Altea and the Altea XL – the existing dark grey and black, or the new, lighter tones on door panels and dashboard.

Exceptional performance

Downsizing an engine usually results in lower consumption, and thanks to its supercharging system it has all the necessary power available to propel any of the three models efficiently.

The use of supercharging also allows engineers to obtain a flat torque curve and make 200 Nm available across the entire rev range, maintaining the driving experience for consumers.

The 1.4 TSI engine’s 125 hp output and 200 Nm torque are its credentials. Output is achieved at 5000 rpm, which is quite conservative considering the engine’s displacement and the fact that the maximum torque value is achieved at only 1500 rpm and remains constant up to 4000 rpm. Until recently, to achieve these values, 2.0 atmospheric engines were employed.

A constant power output across a broad rev interval gives the vehicle even acceleration, making driving easy and effortless and providing excellent road handling.

One of this new engine’s most interesting technical novelties can be found in its intercooler, which is cooled by water instead of air, making it possible to gain space in the engine bay and integrate it in the intake manifold. Besides, on this engine the cylinder crankcase is made of aluminium and includes an oil temperature gauge. The use of water instead of air makes this intercooler work more efficiently, thereby offsetting the large amount of heat generated.

The turbo compressor has been redesigned. Its dimensions have been optimised to reduce inertia, and together with new electronic management, performs well at low revs. Its maximum rotation speed is 220,000 turns per minute and maximum boost pressure is 1.8 bar. Thanks to all these improvements, the engine delivers brilliant driver response.

New, latest generation SEAT Mediasystem navigator

Besides the new 1.4 TSI engine, the Altea, Altea XL and León ranges benefit from a new navigation system which is available as an optional. This new SEAT Mediasystem navigator represents an important breakthrough regarding navigation systems and multimedia equipment.

This navigation system is a considerable improvement over previous models, not only because of its price reduction, from 2,527 to 1,465 euros, but for the substantial increase in the number of features over the previous colour screen navigation system.

The Mediasystem features a 6.5 inch colour touch screen with VGA resolution (800x400). At its heart lies a 30 Gb hard disc that enhances the speed at which routes are calculated. Until now, it could take a navigator up to one minute to display information or calculate a route, since it had to obtain figures from a CD. Now the longest it takes is 5 seconds.

The reason is that map data is no longer stored on a CD but on a DVD with 6 times more capacity. The SEAT Mediasytem, manufactured by Siemens with Navteq maps, is equipped as standard with maps of 28 European countries that get uploaded once to the hard disc.

This is entirely new equipment whose similarity with previous models ends at providing safe, efficient guidance. Using new technology, it provides much more information at a much higher speed. The SEAT Technical Centre in Martorell has used all available technology to equip the new Mediasystem with current and future audio and video capabilities that satisfy customer demands.

Mediasystem navigator functions:

* Map information can be consulted on the 6.5 inch touch screen either in 2 or in 3 dimensions.
* Possibility of updating and/or updating via DVD the available information and maps, since it is stored the same way on the hard disc.
* Traffic jam function, whereby the user can order the system to recalculate an alternative route. This function does not require the information provided by TMC messages.
* Automatic zoom that adapts to the visual information required according to the vehicle’s position and speed. It also includes a zoom on an initially reduced scale so the driver can get his bearings, followed by a close-up for more detailed information.
* The system provides the driver with voice messages and on-screen information, and information is simultaneously shown on the instrument panel, where navigation instructions include graphic symbols that indicate the distance remaining to execute instructions.

The SEAT Mediasystem also includes additional functions that allow perfect music enjoyment, since one of its most outstanding features is fine tuning according to the vehicle’s size and shape.

Additional functions:

* Possibility of memorising FM and AM channels on the screen selector.
* USB or iPOD or RSE (Rear SEAT Entertainment) audio connection, available on the Altea and Altea XL models.
* Steering wheel mounted controls for most of the functions according to navigation mode currently in use (navigator, radio, video…). Includes advanced functions with file exploration.
* MP3, WMA and uncompressed WAV sound file audio reproduction. DVD video player. For safety reasons, DVD images are not shown on the navigator screen when driving faster than 3 km/h.
* Bluetooth telephone connection for wireless protocol telephones. Allows agenda and call flow navigation as well as voice activation.
* Menu interface available in 8 languages (Spanish, German, English, French, Portuguese, Italian, Czech and Dutch).

With this modern system, SEAT is able to offer a fast, efficient navigation system using the latest multimedia technology as an optional at a very competitive price.

SEAT LEÓN
Design and sportiness

The arrival of the 1.4 TSI engine increases the León range, which offers 14 different versions – 8 equipped with a petrol engine and 6 with a diesel engine – some of which feature a DSG gearbox.

Available with the Stylance and Sport-up trim levels, the 1.4 TSI makes the León range more uniform. Despite its smaller displacement, it can be found between the 1.6 and the 1.8 TSI in terms of performance and consumption levels.

This León delivers excellent performance, with a top speed of 197 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h acceleration of 9.8 seconds and amazing 80 to 120 km/h acceleration in fifth gear of only 10.9 seconds. Also noteworthy are its moderate fuel consumption of 6.4 litres and its 154 g/km of emissions.

Thanks to its manual six-speed gearbox and excellent 200 Nm at 1,500 rpm engine torque, driving is made comfortable and fuel efficient. The body has undergone no modifications and remains the same throughout the range.

The 125 hp León 1.4 TSI offers an excellent trade-off with suitable performance, high engine torque and moderate fuel consumption thanks to its direct injection engine.

SEAT ALTEA
Agility and roominess

The Altea also completes its range with the arrival of the new 1.4 TSI engine, maintaining its excellent performance and consumption figures. Top speed is 194 km/h and combined fuel consumption is 6.6 l /100 km.

The Altea features six petrol engines from 85 to 200 hp and five diesel engines from 105 to 170 hp in its range. Half-way between the 102 hp 1.6 and the 160 hp 1.8 TSI, the new engine complements the range, whose four versions help satisfy any customer needs.

To top it off, the Altea features a new interior colour treatment with lighter tones on door panels and dashboard that lend a brighter look to the passenger compartment. Customers can choose between the existing darker interior colours or the new paler ones. Only available on the Reference and Stylance versions.

SEAT ALTEA XL
Spacious and versatile

The Altea XL range also benefits from the arrival of the new 1.4 TSI engine, completing the range with eight engine choices – three petrol and five diesel – and three trim levels.

As on the Altea, this engine is only available on the Altea XL in its Stylance version. Despite the car’s larger size and volume, the performance of this engine is remarkable. It reaches 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds and delivers excellent in-gear acceleration at any speed. Additionally, at 6.6 l/100km, its combined fuel consumption figure is truly moderate.

The 102 hp 1.6, the new 125 hp 1.4 TSI and the most powerful 160 hp 1.8 TSI petrol engines in the Altea XL range provide an ideal power and performance combination to swiftly propel one of the latest models in the SEAT range.

Like the Altea, the Altea XL also features new interior trim in lighter colours on door panels and dashboard. It also features the new Mediasystem navigator as optional.

Source: SEAT

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