SEAT has announced that as from January 2011, its Leon, Altea and Altea XL models will be offered with a choice of a brand-new 1.6-liters TDI 90 horsepower common rail powerplant, which will provide enhanced performance, while showcasing considerable decrease in noise levels, fuel consumption and emissions.

Planned to replace the current pump-injector fuelled 90 hp 1.9 TDI, the new 90 hp 1.6 TDI CR power unit will became an entry level choice on the Diesel engine display of the three models. The new power unit will be linked to a five-speed manual gearbox and will feature a DPF particulate filter which fully complies with the strict EU5 emissions legislation.

Its performance figures are a clear testimony to the exceptional output it delivers despite requiring even lower fuel consumption and generating fewer emissions. It generates 230 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm, consumes an average of only 4.5 litres/100 km and emits 119 g/km equipped on the Leon, compared to 5.0 l/100 km and 135 g/km of the previous 1.9 TDI engine.

The same 1.6 TDI CR engine on the Altea range also delivers better performance compared to the previous version, with an average fuel consumption of only 4.8 l/100 km and emissions of 126 g/km against 5.4 l/100 km and 142 g/km of the outgoing 1.9 TDI unit.