Why the mk3 does not have hidden rear door handles

[dw911]

Bit of an usless post but anyway here goes

I liked the hidden rear door handles on my mk2 Leon and thought it a pity they didn't carry them over to the mk3
Was just reading that the reason is because lots of buyers were put off buying the mk2 because they thought it only came with 2 doors???

Anyone know if that's true ?
Are people really that silly ?
Or was there another reason?

 

[J400uk]

it's because the mk2 only came in 5dr form so the hidden handles meant it could look a bit like a 3dr

mk3 has the 3dr SC so no need for the 5dr to have hidden handles

 

[Subc]

I think the handles look like an after thought from B&Q.

 

[dieselface]

I liked them too... But I don't think people thinking they were 3 door was the reason for the change. If anything the interior and the residuals with a hint of badge snobbery were the mk2's main challenges in a tough market segment.

The Leon is a key car for SEAT. Now its offered in 3 body styles you can cater for more people and aim each model at different audiences.

5 doors with user friendly, sensible handles for families or for getting the grand kids in the back. Remember the 1.6TDI SE is the best seller in this range. This keeps things grown up, uncomplicated and practical which is really your average Joe customer cares about.
SC which is aimed at a younger audience who are more likely to be the enthusiasts of the brand. Expecting to see a lot of excellently modded mk3 Cupra's on this forum in a few years time. ) They should really get these aimed at Ibiza owners reaching the end of their PCP's to keep them in the brand.
ST for the practical, space conscience people. No surprise they've announced some new tech for the ST as these customers are usually fleet/company car prople and these things can help it stand out from the rest.

I'm a fan of SEAT I really hope they do well with this but they need to keep their customers happy which is has been its weakness in the past.

I will miss the moment someone waits for you to let them get in the back much to my amusement - but I can live with that for a car that uses better materials, seems well screwed together and is fun to drive.

 

[Starbucks78]

I originally didn't like the fact my mark 3 had rear handles, but now I'm thankful as I can only imagine the damage to the side of the car my 6 year old would cause trying to reach, get leverage and pull the higher hidden handles.

 

[J400uk]

It has lost some of the other nice design touches like the chunky side bolsters on the sport seats and A-pillar resting wipers. The Mk3 is overall a better design though as it looks a lot more fresher and modern compared to the Mk2 just as look as you stick to FR trim

 

[andycupra]

i've found lots of people wait for me to get out to let them in on my MK1! let alone the MK2...
I can see that a nice feature could actually work against them.
shame, - i guess too much of a hassle to have as an option.. maybe someone can work on some more discreet handles as a mod.

 

[Crafoo]

The hidden door handles do seem to confuse some folk, I was picking up some of the wife's friends the other week and all of them were baffled by the location of the door handles.

I personally prefer the cleaner look of the hidden door handles, wish they could have done it on the fronts too lol

 

[m0rk]

The reason was as above, people discounted the Mk2 because they thought it was a three door.

Obviously some people bought a Mk2 because it looked like a 3 door.

Best of both worlds, but no more the master of deception

 

[AndyG_TSi]

I went for a MK2 Leon because it looked like nothing else in the market segment

The Focus/Astra/Golf etc are 'much of a muchness' and very similar in terms of a 'euro box'

the Leon, with its nose, curves, hidden door handles and haunches looked a lot more 'individual' and 'out there' that's what appealed to me.
I was also looking at a Volvo C30 at the time and it was a choice between the C30 or the Leon.

the MK3 Leon appears to have become more 'euro box' and in some way's a bit blander in appearance, but its still a good looking car.

As mentioned, the 5 door has rear handles, as they introduced the 3 door, then again the 3 door could have been sooooo much more of a car in terms of styling, rather than looking like a bigger Ibiza in some ways.

I've seen a MK3 Leon SC in the flesh and rather than being an instant hit in terms of looks, I think it'll be a grower

 

[Crafoo]

Seems like a crazy reason though, even with the smallest amount of research you'd be able to tell it's a 5 door, I find it quite funny that someone would have discounted the car because they thought it was only 3 door.

Just looked at mine and from side on, it's pretty easy to see the shut lines of the door, I think if you were daft enough to think it was a 3 door then you can't have been that serious about getting one or you would have known it was a 5 door.

Probably best they didn't buy one

 

[skidpan]

I read in an article in a mag that Seat research indicated the hidden rear handles put some potential customers off because they thought it was only a 3 door car. Loosing sales because you hide the rear door handles is not good business surely.

 

[Crafoo]

Still don't get it, if I was interested enough in a car to think about possibly buying it and I thought it was 3 door and I wanted 5 door, first thing I'd do is ask if they do a 5 door, I wouldn't just look at it and think, oh it must be 3 door only and sack it off.

 

[weatherlight]

VW's shared parts strategy (engines, frames, door handles) comes to mind. Ever noticed that the new Golf's door handles look almost the same (perhaps they are)? Parts costs go down once you build more of them. Even if it's just the Leon, 4 identical door handles per car compared to 2 sets will mean lower cost.

Now this is a good thing since it is this strategy, that allows the new car to be faster, more economical, more comfortable and yet still around the same price of the previous model. Offering greater value for money way above competition. Ever checked into other large manufacturers? Check interior quality, handling, technology, performance and price. None comes close to what VW group is offering with the recent MQB platform.

 

[Mylo2912]

Totally agree about parts sharing. Economies of scale mean that not only the handle, but the entire mechanism is cheaper to produce in an identical fashion for all doors. I love the hidden handles of my MK2. Separates my passengers into friends and idiots. I also loved them on my Alfa 156. Now weren't they both designed by Walter d'Silva? Correct me if I'm wrong. Look how many other manufacturers have adopted them in the pursuit of cleaner lines; Honda Civic, Chevrolet Spark...