SEAT is taking its updated Leon hatchback to the Geneva motor show next month. You'd be hard pushed to notice, though. The exterior styling has been given some attention but doesn't differ wildly from the current car.

Owners of the current car or SEAT aficionados might spot the changed side mirrors, new rear window (which is the whole width of the hatch now), revised air intakes and a smaller front grille. The taillights are smaller, too. It's a bunch of minor changes but together they do improve the styling. Compared to the current Leon that's been with us since late 2005, the new car is a lot less cluttered and cleaner in its looks.

The bigger news lies beneath, with a fettled engine range. There's new common rail diesel technology, with a 168bhp 2-litre TDI being the most potent and taking pride of place in the oil-burning Leon FR warm hatch. The petrol Leon FR gets a new engine, too, in the shape of the new 208bhp 2-litre TSI which is seemingly the same engine as in the new VW Golf GTI. There's also a 158bhp 1.8-litre TSI petrol if you want performance from the next rung down the Leon ladder. Cars equipped with the VW group DSG dual-clutch gearbox how get steering wheel paddles, too.

Also new for 2009 is XDS, a self-blocking differential that works in tandem with the ESP stability control system. It senses if a wheel loses grip and applies the brakes to help recover traction and improve performance. It's unclear which models it will feature on, but it'll more than likely appear at the quicker end of the Leon range. Interior tweaks are as subtle as those on the exterior, with a new steering wheel, upgraded audio equipment and the option of alcantara for the FR's interior. Equipment levels rise with the introduction of xenon headlights and daytime running lights.

The new Leon will be on show at Geneva next month alongside a similarly updated Altea mini MPV. Expect sales to start later in the year with prices broadly similar the current Leon's - a range kick-off of around £13K with the Leon FR and Cupra hot hatches costing approx. £17,500 and £19K respectively.