Seat has released the first official pictures of the new Leon, which will make its public debut at the Barcelona International Motor Show from May 7-15.

The new Leon is based on the Walter de’Silva concept car of 2000, the Salsa.

At launch the new Leon will be available with a choice of four engines, two diesel and two petrol.

The petrol engines include the 1.6 100bhp and 2.0 FSI 148bhp and diesel customers from the 1.9 103bhp TDI and 2.0 138bhp TDI. All engines are Euro IV compliant.

A standard 5-speed is included with the manual 1.6 and 1.9, while both 2.0 litre engines will have 6-speed manual gearboxes as standard, with the choice of an automatic with sequential Tiptronic function with the FSI or the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) with the 2.0 TDI.

Safety features include six-standard fit airbags (two front, two side and two curtain) and rear side airbags as an option. Three-point Seatbelts are fitted to all five Seats, with pre-tensioners and force limiters in the front and ISOFIX anchorage points and force limiters on the two outer rear seats.

The new Leon will be built exclusively at the Seat plant in Martorell, Spain and will be available in a choice of four trim and equipment levels.