4WD Leon

[betty_swollox]

Don't know if this has been covered before, but how come SEAT don't make a 4WD version of the Leon?

If (for exmaple) the Cupra R was 4WD, it would justify the higher price tag than the normal Cupra.

I have heard someone mention a 4WD leon before and that they weren't widely available?

Excuse my stupidity if this has already been debated lol

 

[53 Leon SX]

I'd imagine it would be something to do with the boys at VW/AUDI not wanting another most likely cheaper 4 wheel drive variant of their s3/r32/r around to potentially steal sales from them.

 

[AndrewJB]

Been thinking about this for a while i reckon a 4WD Conversion would be quite easy to do, You would need a doner car with same engine (Altea Freetrack or Octavia 4X4) ans basically swap over all of the stuff that them cars have to do with the 4WD

 

[wuhseer]

I'd imagine it would be something to do with the boys at VW/AUDI not wanting another most likely cheaper 4 wheel drive variant of their s3/r32/r around to potentially steal sales from them.

I'd tend to agree, doubt Audi want to loose the exclusivity of their 4wd machines to a smaller cheaper sister manufacturer.

 

[AndrewJB]

I'd tend to agree, doubt Audi want to loose the exclusivity of their 4wd machines to a smaller cheaper sister manufacturer.

Skoda have access to it though

 

[wuhseer]

Skoda have access to it though

Fair point.... I'll show myself out... lol

 

[AndrewJB]

Fair point.... I'll show myself out... lol

Plus the Altea Freetrack and Alhambra 4 also have access to it

 

[betty_swollox]

Plus the Altea Freetrack and Alhambra 4 also have access to it

Some lad from up north is doing a 4wd conversion on a mk1 Leon which is what made me think about it. I'd love to have the guts/knowledge/tools to be able to have a project car like that.

I think Audi just don't want SEAT to be able to rival the S3. Surely they dictate what technology SEAT can use? A 4WD Leon would be a ****ing animal!!

 

[AndrewJB]

They made a Leon MK1 TDI 4WD but wasnt available in UK

for somebody whos good at Electrics and Swapping car parts its easy, Get a doner car Altea Freetrack for example and swap all the parts needed

 

[tractorboy]

There was a MK1 Leon sold in the middle east which was built on the 4motion Haldex system, 6 speed 2.8l. Hardly any were sold here, never driven one but I own a VW Bora 4motion powerful but very heavy

 

[Tfsi_Mike]

I think JD engineering Netherlands could do this blinfolded, would be looking around 10k though I reckon

 

[Cuprarob112]

Jd makes perfect software but don't thinks they can or want to do such a conversion.
I had a mk 1 1.8T with haldex and to be honest it was quite useless (the car lacked power with approx 20o bhp) Over here Seat also delivered the haldex in the 2.8 VR6 Leon (which felt really slow and heavy just like the similar R32 VW golf).

Untill the TTRS and the new RS3, haldex to me centainly would't add any value to a hot hatch (to be honest I hated the system since it doesn't work that well and also adds weight to te car)

 

[Deleted member 53697]

Even with 4WD, a Cupra would never be a competitor to the S3. The Golf R however, well that's different!

 

[robdf2]

there was a mk1 4wd but only available in europe and iirc was a v6 engine.

it is a strange one considering seat is supposed to be the sporty brand.
but maybe seat is seen as a stronger brand and more of a threat directly against vw and audi than skoda? perhaps skoda has 4 wd to attract new customers.

 

[h47kin]

as regards compents on a 4wd conversion. If I am correct the 4wd cars have a different floor pan and the rear suspension assembly is completely different. I say this because I was told that on the vw golf it would be impossible to change a FWD car to 4wd without heavily modifying the floor. However this does not make it impossible, a crashed R32 would make a good doner car.

Feel free to correct me if im wrong because i am currently researching the topic.

 

[betty_swollox]

as regards compents on a 4wd conversion. If I am correct the 4wd cars have a different floor pan and the rear suspension assembly is completely different. I say this because I was told that on the vw golf it would be impossible to change a FWD car to 4wd without heavily modifying the floor. However this does not make it impossible, a crashed R32 would make a good doner car.

Feel free to correct me if im wrong because i am currently researching the topic.

Aye some lad who's building a 4wd mk1 Leon has used the back of an old S3 for the rear of the car. He's also using a Audi TT rear axle. Check his thread out in the RR section

I agree with someone else's comment about SEAT being more of a threat than skoda, I see quite a lot of SEATs these days

 

[h47kin]

there would be alot of cutting and welding to that, but it would be some machine in the end though

 

[53 Leon SX]

Plus the Altea Freetrack and Alhambra 4 also have access to it

...an Altea & Alhambra are not going to in the line up of cars being considered as alternative purchases to Audi/VW 4wd performance hatchbacks. Neither will any of Skoda's 4wd offerings as they don't offer a 4wd performance hatchback either i.e. Fabia.

Or am I wrong, I'll admit know very little about Skoda's...

 

[Redemption]

there was a mk1 4wd but only available in europe and iirc was a v6 engine.

As Cuprarob112 mentioned they also did a 1.8T 20v 4WD. My Dad had one when we lived in Spain. Nice car.

 

[Poverty]

Cupra R doesnt need 4wd, will only dull the drive.