The new Seat Leon SC is here

Smart, isn't it? It's the all new Seat Leon Sports Coupe - or SC for short - and it has been revealed here, on our Internet, ahead of its sweaty-palmed unveil at next month's Geneva Motor Show.

Quite simply, it's the three-door version of the all-new Seat Leon, which really is all-new: it now sits on Volkswagen's Modularer Querbaukasten platform, which is a bit more difficult to pronounce than MQB. For reference, that's the same platform as the new Golf and Audi A3, as well as, oh, ten million other Group products.

And Seat is keen to point out the unbridled sportiness of the new Leon SC. The wheelbase has been chopped by 35mm in comparison to its staid five-door sibling, and as such promises "greater agility", "sporting character" and "precision handling". Expect to see it in an advert skydiving with a smile on its face.

That said, we've driven the new five-door Leon, and it's got a very good setup underneath, so the hyperbole for the SC might not be so far-fetched. No other details have been given about the chassis, other than use of VW Group technologies, "and a great deal of fine-tuning".

Indeed, those familiar with modern ‘VW Group technologies' will recognise most of the offerings in the new Leon SC, though despite all this talk of sportiness, there's not really a stupendously quick model in the range. It'll launch with a 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine with 100bhp, a 1.4-litre TSI with 135bhp, and a 1.8-litre TSI with 175bhp. Diesels come in 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre TDI flavour, the latter producing 145bhp and returning 68.9mpg. There's a five or six-speed manual (depending on engine), or the dual-clutch DSG auto ‘box with six or seven cogs. Guess we'll have to wait for the Cupra...

It certainly looks as sharp as the promised drive too, inspired in part by the IBE, IBL and IBX concept cars. The swoopiness is measurable too: that rear windscreen is some 19 degrees more inclined compared to the five-door, though boot-space remains at 380 litres.

We'll get you proper, real pics from Geneva, but for now, why not engage in some entertaining discourse and let us know what you think of the new SC: would you buy one over a three-door Golf or A3?

Vijay Pattni