SEAT's Geneva Show plans

SEAT will unveil the facelifted Leon and Altea ranges at the Geneva Motor Show in March, before the fresh pair hit showrooms in the Summer.

In lieu of any new models for the year's biggest show (or so the official line goes - the rumour mill is rife with talk of a Geneva debut for the Exeo estate), the Spanish maker is making much of the Leon and Altea's mid-life updates.

There's a fairly comprehensive raft of changes, though, including front and rear styling revisions, obviously, which apparently utilise SEAT's 'Arrow Design' philosophy, debuted on the latest Ibiza. SEAT aficionados might spot the new grille, new door mirrors, bigger headlights, revised taillights, new rims and larger rear screen on both cars. You can specify daytime running lights now too.

Inside, the instrument panels get a makeover and there are some new materials. All standard stuff, really, though SEAT has seen fit to work on the engines and dynamics of the cars too. Certain models can now be specified with SEAT's XDS traction control, which works on the same principal as a limited slip differential by automatically braking a wheel that loses grip independently, hence sending more power to the tyre with more grip.

More important is the new engine range, which now sees the petrol-powered FR variant get the forthcoming Golf GTI's 208bhp 2.0-litre TFSI engine, and the diesel version making do with a 168bhp 2.0-litre TDI. A 158bhp 1.8-litre TSI petrol unit joins the range too, and DSG-equipped cars get paddles on the wheel for manual shifts.

The new Leon, Altea and Altea XL will go on sale in the summer this year, probably with a like-for-like price hike small enough to be of little consequence.

Mark Nichol