Next-Generation SEAT Leon to Debut at 2011 Frankfurt Show

Although we expected the new-generation SEAT Leon a bit earlier at one of this year's auto venues, the car will finally show its face next year in September at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. SEAT hasn't confirmed the report, but autoblog.es writes that the car will borrow several design cues from the IBE concept displayed this year in Geneva. A curios fact is that SEAT earlier this year also hinted that the IBE could actually enter production, so it's not clear whether the next-gen Leon would actually represent the production version of the concept.

Going further with the rumors, the 2012 SEAT Leon will be offered in a five-door configuration, with a Cupra version pretty likely to be released at a later date.

Of course, the engine lineup will be borrowed from other models in the Spanish company's product lineup, so expect to see the 1.4 TFSI, the 2.0 TFSI, the 1.6 TDI and the 2.0 TDI powerplants available on the future Leon as well. It seems that the car will come with a front-wheel drive, but a four-wheel drive setup is also possible sometimes in the future.

A manual transmission is most likely to be offered as standard but, given the fact that Volkswagen is looking into ways to boost the appeal of all brands included in the group, a DSG unit could also make it to production.

As said, SEAT hasn't confirmed the news, so an official announcement on the debut of the 2012 Leon is expected to be released in the upcoming weeks.