The SEAT Leon was a landmark in the brand's history since its introduction in 1999. It was the first SEAT with four-wheel drive, a 180 HP engine (never before a SEAT had delivered more than 160 HP) and six-speed transmission. The fact SEAT showed a brand-new corporate identity that same year - with the iconic "S" logo now in red and silver - goes on to illustrate how important the Leon was for SEAT.

So the version fitted with all those features, called Leon 4 1.8 20V Turbo, was a real novelty. Actually the Leon itself was a groundbreaking car. The 4,184-metres long Leon marked SEAT's re-entry to the market's C-segment, which had been vacated since the mid-'80s, when the Ronda was discontinued. The brand's commitment was backed by the road users and nowadays the Leon is one of the indisputable pillars of the SEAT range.

This first generation was unveiled at the 1999 Frankfurt Motorshow, and was on sale from November. The Leon shared the platform with the second generation Toledo, launched one year before, both of them designed by Giorgio Giugiaro. Therefore, the Leon was the hatchback version of the classic Toledo saloon. So SEAT did with the Leon just the opposite than had been done with the Malaga and Cordoba, three-volume saloon derivatives of the hatchback models Ronda/Ibiza I and Ibiza II, respectively.

The Leon was available in a complete range of engines and trim levels since its launch, topped by the Sport version powered by the 1.8 turbo engine with 5 valves per cylinder and 180 HP. This version would be available as a front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the latter called Leon 4. The Leon 4 weighed 140 kg more than its FWD sibling, whereas the new all-wheel drive Haldex system reduced the boot capacity by 70 litres, from 340 to 270.

In return, the Leon 4 had exceptional dynamic qualities, thanks to the electronically controlled four-wheel drive system, which delivers variable engine torque to both front and rear wheels depending on driving conditions. With this engine, the Leon was the most powerful SEAT yet, a position it kept until the launch of the Leon CUPRA the following year, also with four-wheel drive and powered by a V6, 204 HP engine.

The design of the Leon, only available with a 5-door body, combined the dynamism of an coupe, the comfort of a 4-door saloon and the practicality of a hatchback, being 26 centimetres shorter than the Toledo II. The latter wasn't fitted with the 1.8 20VT engine, so from the beginning the Leon was placed as a higher-performance, more sporting car. In line with its performance, the Leon 4 1.8 20V Turbo featured state-of-the-art ABS system, EDS+TCS traction control and ESP stability control.

SEAT HISTÓRICOS keeps an Azalea Red Leon 4 1.8 20V Turbo. It is the Leon I chassis number 21, so one of the very first out of the assembly line, even though the 4x4 version only went on sale from spring 2000. Thanks to this unit, the brand's Collection includes a magnificent example of the early Leon range, an icon that illustrates the success of a model that has become synonymous with SEAT.