New SEAT Leon ST Estate revealed

The New SEAT Leon ST Estate (pictured) has been revealed ahead of a Frankfurt debut As estate cars have become more stylish, more and more buyers have fallen in love with the idea of a ‘Wagon’ version as their family transport, as it now offers little downside and much more practicality. So it’s no wonder SEAT has decided to bite the bullet and launch an Estate version of the Leon – the Leon ST – as the third model in the Leon line-up. The ST estate shares its wheelbase with the five-door Leon but gets a small – and reasonably stylish – shed bolted on the back to offer 587 litres of space with the seats down and a reasonably commodious 1470 litres with the seats down.

Fiat 500L launches

The Fiat 500L – a larger Fiat 500 based on the Punto – has launched in Italy ahead of going on sale in the UK in early 2013. We had the official arrival of the Fiat 500L at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and now we get the 500L’s official launch in Turin – together with lots of new photos and a video – before the 500L goes on sale around the world. The 500L is actually based on the underpinnings of the Punto to create a 500 MPV and, sensibly, Fiat has done with the 500L  what MINI did with the Countryman and slapped an iconic badge on even though the 500L bears scant resemblance to its cute little sibling.

Former Volvo design boss Steve Mattin to join Russia's Lada

Former Volvo Cars design chief Steve Mattin will head design at the Russian brand Lada. Mattin will start at the Russian automaker on Oct. 1, Lada's owner AvtoVAZ told Automotive News Europe in an email.