[WIP] Seat Leon in scale 1:20

[Lasse D]

Update

The model is finished. See the messages below for how it was developed!

Building instructions:

I have not seen any entries or WIP threads for the Legoland Miniland Billund car Moc competition yet, so here is one.

I want to build a 2014 Seat Leon SC 3 door since it's currently the prettiest non-racing Seat in my oppinion. I will use this WIP thread to share the building process and hopefully inspire others to enter this contest because it shouldn't be too hard to make something even better :)

Now. First step is to gather intel. I have gathered some pictures from the net, including this:

As well as some basic dimensions:

Length: 4228mm

Width: 1810mm

Height: 1446mm

Wheelbase: 2601mm

The contest rules state that the size has to be 1:20, and with Lego bricks having a width of 8mm, you get the length of the model:

4228 / 20 / 8 = 26.425 studs.

Similarly, the other dimensions are computed:

Length: 26.4 studs

Width: 11.3 studs

Height: 7.5 bricks

Wheelbase: 16.3 studs

I can now put this picture into Griddy and set the correct length:

Using Griddy I can re-check the dimensions:

Dimensions using Griddy:

Height: 7.63 bricks

Wheelbase: 17.5 studs

Something is off. While the height is within acceptable parameters, the wheelbase is off. Have I been given the wrong intel?

Nope. A double check in the PDF hidden in the far reaches of the Seat website (why do sales sides always have to be horrible for gearheads to get information from?) shows that they are correct. The image must be wrong. It is a rendering after all, so I went out and found this:

Using Griddy I could this time verify the other dimensions:

Height: 7.42 bricks

Wheelbase: 16.89 studs - becomes 16.5.

This time the wheelbase is (almost) correct, so I went along and got some more stats:

Height: 7.42 bricks

Wheelbase: 16.89 studs - becomes 16.5.

Wheel diameter: 4.14 studs - becomes 4 stud standard wheels with stick-on rims.

Wheel well diameter: 4.84 studs

Wheel well height: 2.59 bricks

This is enough to get started. All I need are 4 wheels of the right size and some technic bricks.

I will keep this thread updated as the build progresses.

Edited April 15, 2014 by Lasse D

[eurotrash]

Looks like an interesting project and competition. Keep us posted.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

I'm waiting for your next step...

The start looks very interesting

[Lasse D]

After a couple of days of building I can now say that the headlights of the new Leon are at the same time awesome and completely frustrating. This is the only progress I have made so far:

I have tried a combination of brick built headlights, but they always end up too big or with the wrong dimensions. These Bionicle teeth turn out to be the best compromise. I hope the rest of the car will be easier to model!

[Lasse D]

Today I added the front of the bonnet and got started on the side paneling.

Up next: Rear bumper!

[Lasse D]

And now the results from this Wednesday. I have added a rear bumper as well as increased the belt line a little.

Unfortunately I'm running out of certain parts in red, so I had to supplement with dark red which means that once finished, I would have to build it in a different colour altogether.

[stevkir]

Keep them coming I am looking forward to how the top looks.

[Lasse D]

Thanks. I will

I managed to squeeze in time to rebuild the lower corners of the bumpers and build the right side up to the same level before nap time:

[jonwil]

Not bad on what is (IMO) fairly bland source material (no offense to any fans out there but I think SEAT cars are boring :)

[Bregir]

Lovely build! And about SEATs: the design is a lot less bland than its electric shaver counterparts from VW and Audi, should you ask me... :P

[eurotrash]

It's coming along well. I think the front and the rear both look good, the door handles are a nice detail. Can't wait to see the rest...

[Lasse D]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Building the greenhouse was made easy by adding pictures to Griddy:

I kept on building into the night and had most of the car finished. It only took a couple of half an hour to give it the final touch ups today which means that I can now present the first prototype!

Now comes the first round of improvements. I expect to be able to make a couple more rounds before the deadline.

[Lasse D]

I have taken the following direct pictures to see where I should focus on improving the model:

These pictures are really good to show where the design fails, and I can use Griddy to check the sizes of the various details. After looking at the model for a while I think I should change the following, starting from the front:

- Make the grille include an emblem.

- Maybe add a front license plate (I have not yet succeeded in making this look good)

- Change the hood so that it doesn't have a step near the windscreen.

- Change the A-pilar so that it flows better.

- Make a clearer outline of the front doors.

- Change the roof by adding studs to the middle to indicate a more rounded shape.

- Make the rear window start at a lower position.

- Make the rear lights slope inward like the bottom of the rear window.

- Make a less simple rear emblem.

- Remove the red bricks that touch the rear license plate.

- Try to make the exhaust tips not stick out.

Fellow Eurobrickers and followers of this thread: Do you have any additional suggestions?

[Lasse D]

With no new suggestions I went along and made the next prototype by incorporating the majority of the changes suggested above.

Here is the result:

I implemented the following suggestions:

- Make the grille include an emblem.

- Change the hood so that it doesn't have a step near the windscreen.

- Change the A-pilar so that it flows better.

- Change the roof by adding studs to the middle to indicate a more rounded shape.

- Make the rear window start at a lower position.

- Make the rear lights slope inward like the bottom of the rear window.

- Remove the red bricks that touch the rear license plate.

The following suggestions from before did not make it to this second prototype:

- Make a less simple rear emblem (not remove it completely!).

- Maybe add a front license plate (I have not yet succeeded in making this look good)

- Make a clearer outline of the front doors.

- Try to make the exhaust tips not stick out.

After looking at the model for some time I have the following new suggestions to add:

- Make a rear bumper that doesn't stick out to the sides.

- Make the studs on the roof start even earlier.

- Change the bricks used for the windscreen so that it doesn't have a mix of parts with and without grooves.

- Make the sculpting of the rear hatch flow better (as on the real car).

- Eliminate gaps under the rear lights.

- Give it a Euro license plate.

Any other suggestions?

I will get right onto it :)

[Toby Adams]

Maybye make the windows completely black? I have OCD though . Otherthan that it looks great!

Edited March 28, 2014 by Toby Adams

[rriggs]

I'd agree with what's on your list now and also the suggestion to make the windows all black. The rear badge defo needs to come back - although I wonder if LEGO/SEAT will actually complete the finished models with sticker SEAT badges and number plates? I wouldn't worry about the exhaust too much though as I think if you make it flush it will be less of a feature.

Great work and nice how well the LEGO red matches the SEAT red. Looking forward to the next update!

Cheers

Rog

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

What a complex building technique!

I love the nose of your lego leon!

Edited March 28, 2014 by LEGO Train 12 Volts

[Lasse D]

You guys are right. The windows would probably look better in black... but I first saw all these replies after I had made another update!

OK. So here are the changes I managed to get through this time:

- Rear emblem is back!

- Make a clearer outline of the front doors.

- Make a rear bumper that doesn't stick out to the sides.

- Make the studs on the roof start even earlier.

- Change the bricks used for the windscreen so that it doesn't have a mix of parts with and without grooves.

- Make the sculpting of the rear hatch flow better (as on the real car).

- Eliminate gaps under the rear lights.

- Give it a Euro license plate.

For the next update I will try to:

- Black windows! (I am glad to have this suggested)

- Try again to make the headlights look more correct (that is, with sharp angles)

- Maybe add a front license plate (I have not yet succeeded in making this look good)

And as a bonus, the direct shots for comparison with the previous model:

[Lasse D]

Prototype number 4 is done. I have revised most of the front, making a new engine cover, windscreen, wheel covers, front bumper and most importantly: New headlights. Using Jet ski handles I was able to make the angles just right and could then make the headlights edgy, almost like on the real car.

The rear is mostly unchanged, but it gives a different impression now that the windows are all black. I have still tried to make a visible seam showing the outline of the front doors.

And as before, here are some head-on pics for anyone who wants to compare with the previous versions or the real model:

And an extra bonus. From the top!

This is it for now. I will submit the model to the entry thread. Up next: Space ship!

[Toby Adams]

Looking good. My OCD urge is over

[Lasse D]

I'm glad to hear.

I was, however, still not completely satisfied with the headlights. But now after a day of fiddling with different designs to recreate the characteristic triangular shapes I simply have to throw in the towel and call it quits. This was my best prototype for a new headlight design:

Unfortunately all my attempts at other designs ended up looking like puke as well :S

[CopMike]

Don't give up Lasse, it's looking really good!

[rriggs]

I was, however, still not completely satisfied with the headlights. But now after a day of fiddling with different designs to recreate the characteristic triangular shapes I simply have to throw in the towel and call it quits. This was my best prototype for a new headlight design:

I didn't think there was anything wrong the front end or the headlights...

Cheers

Rog

[Lasse D]

Thanks. I have also reverted the design to the last full prototype. It is now standing on my desk at work. Few colleagues have tried to guess what kind of car it is - no one has guessed right...

Most think it's a Lexus... I'm considering building a Lexus just to show them how different these cars are.

[Modulex Guy]

Love your work! Doing modern cars is tough with all the complex shapes and curves. The front looks great, the angles of the bumper and grill look like the real car!

I would love to park my Mii side by side to your car and compare the two!

I also like how we both made regular cars, no Leon Cupra R's or the more sporty trimlines.