The carmaker will supply the police forces with Leon 150hp 2.0 TDI models. The first 206 vehicles have started to be handed over in Verona, with an initial 106 service vehicles being delivered to the Carabinieri and a further 100 to the Polizia di Stato. Overall, the contract includes the option for up to 4,000 vehicles over the next three years. So far, they have taken orders for 925 cars, split between 475 “panthers” (Polizia di Stato) and 450 “gazelles” (Carabinieri).

The Leon equipment package includes special safety tyres and bywarning and alarm lights, radio and communications equipment, weapons carriers and other items of equipment. The back seat is also laid out as a secure “prisoner cell”, with police officers seated in the front protected by a dividing partition. It also includes armour protection for added safety. 

The contract marks the first time that both police forces have tendered and selected the same brand and the same vehicle, with major factors including the Leon’s low fuel consumption and emissions figures.

“We are honoured by the trust given by the Italian police in SEAT and the Leon. And we are very proud to be able to contribute thanks to reliable, secure and high quality vehicles to public safety,” said Jürgen Stackmann, chairman of the executive committee of SEAT. “The contract is also a good example of the great success and major growth of the SEAT brand within the fleet business sector.” 

SEAT has reported a rise of 33% in the total level of fleet business it conducted last year to 68,900 vehicles, making a significant contribution to the brand’s 10% sales growth last year. The new Leon family has played a key role in this, in particular the Leon ST estate version. SEAT’s fleet business achieved considerable growth primarily in major European markets like Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, France and Italy.