The SEAT Leon is not only one of the most advanced in terms of the powertrain it users, but also one of the safest vehicles the brand has ever developed; designed to see more of its surroundings and react to obstacles on the road or sudden movements by other drivers thanks to the integration of a suite of updated and completely new advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
The various technologies mean that the SEAT Leon senses its environment to offer the optimum protection no matter what scenario occurs when you’re behind the wheel, taking safety to the next level.
The SEAT Leon brings together a range of new ADAS systems including Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Emergency Assist, Travel Assist and Side and Exit assist, which, together can protect the vehicle and its occupants while driving or stationary.
Predictive adaptive cruise control (Predictive ACC) can position the Leon based on route and GPS data delivered from the navigation system, also allowing it to correct its speed depending on the road layout ahead – bends, roundabouts, junctions, speed limits and built-up areas. And using input from the front mounted camera and traffic sign recognition, it can adjust vehicle speed when limits change.
The automatic driving functionality continues with the introduction of the Travel Assist. The system uses information from the ACC and Lane Assist to actively keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane and adjust speed to the flow of the traffic – providing assisted driving at speeds of up to 210km/h.
To maintain safety and to meet legal requirements the driver must maintain constant monitoring of the system and their surroundings, keeping at least one hand on the steering wheel. If the vehicle sensors they haven’t, (the steering wheel includes capacitive sensors, when equipped with Predictive ACC) and they let go for more some seconds, they will receive audible and visual warnings, and a braking jolt can be given. If the driver continues to fail to respond the Emergency Assist system can bring the Leon to a complete stop.
Another new addition to the all-new Leon’s safety suite is the Exit Warning. When stationary and opening a door, the vehicle will give an audible and visual (through the wraparound ambient light) warning if traffic is coming – this can be other vehicles if on the roadside, or cyclists or pedestrians if on the kerb side.