SEAT has released the first official pictures of the new Leon, which will make its public debut at the Barcelona International Motor Show next month.

The Leon is the third model in the new generation of SEAT products, which also includes Altea and Toledo.

It is based on the Salsa concept car of 2000 and strongly resembles the Altea and Toledo.

A distinctive new SEAT feature is the positioning of the windscreen wipers, which sit vertically at rest and sweep with a butterfly pattern, although, unlike the Altea, they are fully visible and not hidden in the car's A-pillars.

The new Leon is slightly larger than its predecessor. It has grown in length by 13.2cm to 431.5cm and width by 2.6cm to 176.8cm.

At launch, the new Leon will be available with a choice of four engines - two diesel, two petrol.

The petrol engines are the 1.6 102 PS and 2.0 FSI 150 PS, and diesel customers will have the choice of 1.9 105 PS TDI and 2.0 140 PS TDI.

The gearboxes will be a standard five-speed manual with the 1.6 and 1.9, while both two-litre engines will have six-speed manual gearboxes as standard, with the choice of an automatic with sequential Tiptronic function with the FSI or the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) with the 2.0 TDI.

Electro-mechanical power steering and ventilated disc brakes at the front and solid discs at the rear complete the picture.

ABS, traction control and the latest generation electronic stability programme are the active safety systems that enhance the vehicle's braking power and steering in critical situations.

Passenger protection comes in the form of six standard-fit airbags (two front, two side and two curtain) with optional rear side airbags.

Three-point seatbelts are fitted to all five seats, with pre-tensioners and force limiters in the front and ISOFIX anchorage points and force limiters on the two outer rear seats.

The new Leon will be built in Martorell, Spain.

Prices and comprehensive specifications will be announced closer to the UK on-sale date, which is scheduled for the last quarter of 2005.