Photo: Decoches
It's no secret that Volkswagen Group brands share parts to save money. However, four models are more closely related than any of the others - VW Golf, SEAT Leon, Audi Q3 and Skoda Octavia.
The current generations came out at roughly the same time towards the end of 2012. And now a new wave is on its way, ready to shake the compact car market in Europe. First comes to Golf, probably followed by the Octavia. The last two, the Audi and SEAT, have been spied testing in Spain by local blog Decoches.
The hatchbacks are quite similar in design, which isn't that shocking. Both feature this very long nose, angular design, sloped trunk lids and so on. Some of the proportions should be identical, such as the tracks or wheelbase. We believe the nose is there to allow for more sensors.
Other than that, the A3 pays tribute to the latest big Audis, having a giant grille connected to the boomerang-shaped headlights, much like the Q8. It's probably made with more aluminum too. Meanwhile, Leon is a lot like the Cupra Formentor, which is a pre-production crossover-coupe concept.
What else will be shared? The engines, for starters. We know that the 1.0 and 1.5 TSI/TFSI will be carried over while a 48V mild-hybrid 1.5-liter has been developed by VW, to be available on a variety of cars. Diesel? There's the new 2.0 TDI Evo, while rumors talk about a 204 HP range-topper and a new 1.5 TDI. Frankly, the Leon is too cheap for a powerful diesel and Audi supposedly hates TDI now
Plug-in hybrid systems will also be offered. Cupra has confirmed the new "hot Leon" will debut a 245 horsepower electrified setup in 2020, presumably from a 1.5L. But Audi isn't messing around and will stick an even more powerful 2-liter in its next S3.
The hatchbacks are quite similar in design, which isn't that shocking. Both feature this very long nose, angular design, sloped trunk lids and so on. Some of the proportions should be identical, such as the tracks or wheelbase. We believe the nose is there to allow for more sensors.
Other than that, the A3 pays tribute to the latest big Audis, having a giant grille connected to the boomerang-shaped headlights, much like the Q8. It's probably made with more aluminum too. Meanwhile, Leon is a lot like the Cupra Formentor, which is a pre-production crossover-coupe concept.
What else will be shared? The engines, for starters. We know that the 1.0 and 1.5 TSI/TFSI will be carried over while a 48V mild-hybrid 1.5-liter has been developed by VW, to be available on a variety of cars. Diesel? There's the new 2.0 TDI Evo, while rumors talk about a 204 HP range-topper and a new 1.5 TDI. Frankly, the Leon is too cheap for a powerful diesel and Audi supposedly hates TDI now
Plug-in hybrid systems will also be offered. Cupra has confirmed the new "hot Leon" will debut a 245 horsepower electrified setup in 2020, presumably from a 1.5L. But Audi isn't messing around and will stick an even more powerful 2-liter in its next S3.
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