Seat Car Launches

SO Honda is pulling out of Formula One but why did it ever got involved in the first place?

Car makers lavish millions on GP teams in the hope that some of the dashing glamour of the pit lane will rub off on their products.

Please tell me how skimpy-topped grid tottie lines up alongside the Honda Jazz? This is the ultimate grey car. It is a motor that quickens pulses only in the Women’s Institute, where a Jensen Button is something you sew onto a cardie.

What is worrying is that a company with a bomb-proof customer base where redundancy comes in the shape of a coffin, should be feeling the icy blast of the economic nuclear winter.

Needless to say darling Darling is proving about as much use as a jar of Vaseline in a sandstorm.

Help the motor industry? You must be joking. Now if it were so much as a five-year-old’s piggy bank he would be all over it like egg on a tie.

Times are tough and friends are few, which means your next car has to offer a lot for little, return good MPG but not look like it has been styled by an environmentalist punishment squad.

I suggest a peek at the SEAT Leon Stylance 1.4-litre, a turbocharged five-door, six-speed hatchback costing £14,745 which offers adequate 9.8 seconds to 62mph performance, low taxation and 45mpg.

It is important to note that in most aspects the Leon will display typical VW group characteristics, solid build, fluent balance in corners and positive steering feedback.

What sets SEAT aside is its aspiration to be the Alfa Romeo of VW, while Audi is senior management and Skoda a couple of caravan enthusiasts from Bexhill called Norman and Brenda.

Squint at the Leon and it could be an Alfa, especially the rear lights and the hidden rear door handles. The difference is, however, that the interior has not been designed for some sort of driver deformity. There is loads of space, proper legroom and supportive SEATs, not rock carvings you would employ to toughen up a gladiator.

The Stylance is well equipped. Even the basic reference has air con, electric windows, trip computer and a CD player. To this the Stylance adds coming home lights, improved MP3 compatible sounds, repeater controls, tyre pressure monitoring, ESP, tinted windows and electric folding mirrors.

Not then, a bad car for the current climate. Cheap to run, good fun and a boost to the pan-European car industry as we tumble headlong towards a strip farming economy.

In fact there was little point in the stinkies breaking into Stansted. They might as well have stayed home with an organic spliff and a DVD of Watership Down. We are well on the way to bicycle utopia and it is only a matter of time before Stirling is replaced by dried peas.

IF you fancy yourself as a Schuey-style Formula One racing driver then SEAT may have just the car for you.

It is a new version of the Leon and Altea FR models boasting DSG transmission.

The Direct Shift Gearbox is already offered with two-litre TDI 140 PS Stylance versions of both the Leon and Altea and achieves performance-oriented split-second changes.

It also offers the convenience of two pedals for city driving. In the case of the FR models there is the added benefit of steering wheel-mounted paddle shift controls for even more of an F1 experience.

DSG systems use two clutches so that when, for example, the car is in second gear, third has already been engaged and is ready to be activated in a fraction of a second. The results are ultra-quick changes with no loss in performance or economy compared with the manual versions.

Selling alongside the standard six-speed manual models, DSG versions of the Leon and Altea FR cost £17,895 and £18,195 respectively.

Standard kit includes electronic stability programme, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, four electric windows, six airbags and an eight-speaker CD player with MP3 compatibility and iPod link-up.

Performance figures for the Leon include a 0-60mph acceleration time of 7.2 seconds, a top sped of 142mph and economy of 35mpg with similar figures for the Altea.

PHEW what a scorcher – and we’re not talking about the recent heatwave.

This is the latest addition to SEAT’s hot hatch stable and in either petrol or diesel form it’s a real mean machine.

The SEAT Leon FR is pushing the boundaries of fun packed motoring into a new dimension.

At £16,995 for the two-litre petrol engined model and just £500 more for the incredible diesel the Leon FR is a very special machine.

I’ve just put both versions through their paces on the track and the verdict is a resounding thumbs up for the Spanish car maker’s super hatch.

Pin sharp handling and masses of power make the Leon FR a driver’s delight.

Using turbo boost and the FSI injection technology developed by SEAT’s sister company Audi for its Le Mans winning racers it is little surprise that the petrol-engined Leon laps up the laps with ease.

With 200 bhp on tap – that’s the magical 100bhp per litre – top speed is a claimed 143mph and 0 to 60 a sprightly 7.3 seconds.

But it is the diesel version which really impresses.

This is the world’s first diesel production car to make use of a high pressure fuel system coupled to piezo injectors to create a very big bang within the engine.

The result is an incredible amount of power – 170bhp from the same two-litre diesel which won rave reviews when it was fitted in the VW Golf and developed just 140bhp.

SEAT is part of the VW Group and performance diesels have become its speciality. Again it has been Audi making history with such technology by becoming the first marque to win at Le Mans with diesel power.

And what an amazing experience it is to drive a high performance diesel out on the track.

For a start, there is so much torque you only have to use two gears for most of a lap. It’s rather like driving a go-kart. Snap the throttle to the floor and it’s take-off time.

Release the accelerator and you get instant engine braking such is the free revving characteristic of this diesel. Only on long, high speed straights do you think about changing up into fourth or beyond.

The way the car zips through chicanes is a wonderful experience and the power is there on demand.

The diesel may not have quite such blistering performance as the Leon T FSI – 135mph max, 0 to 60 8.2 seconds – but it is almost untouchable in terms of mid-range performance.

Okay, let’s translate that into the real world and driving on the road. Well here the Leon FR makes its mark as one of the best performance hatches ever created.

In terms of sheer value for money there is no comparison. Only the Ford Focus ST comes close and that’s at least £1,000 more expensive.

There is no match for the diesel below £25,000 – it’s that good. In fact, you would have to look at the likes of the three-litre diesel V6 in the Audi A4 to come close.

The Leon FR is also good when it comes to fuel economy. According to SEAT, the FSI will average 35.8mpg while the diesel continues its impressive credentials averaging a claimed 47.1.

Emissions are also relatively low at 190g/km for the petrol engine and 160g/km for the diesel which has the benefit of a particulate filter fitted to the exhaust system.

SEAT prides itself on producing cars with a high fun factor and it’s not just the engines which deliver in the Leon FR.

It looks very sporty with a nose set off by a sculpted bumper incorporating menacing looking mesh air intakes. Silver door mirrors are another FR trademark as are twin stainless steel exhausts.

Inside there other special touches and plenty of FR (it stands for Formula Racing) logos to remind you of what you are in. Sporty SEATs are designed to hug, the instrumentation is white faced and the gear lever and steering wheel are sculpted to fit comfortably in your hands.

Not only is it well appointed but the Leon FR has a touch of refinement which was missing in hot hatches of old. It’s also a five door which makes it even more user-friendly

It’s a great driver’s car and styled to cut a dash, making it genuine hot property under all circumstances.

THERE is a school of thought in some motoring circles that certain cars do not always look their very best when committed to film.

But there is nothing camera-shy about SEAT’s latest offering to the world of the small family car and the name in the frame is the new Leon.

Whichever way you look at it, this newcomer, which is due in a showroom near you come September, is a handsome looker which will revel in photo calls and which, on looks alone, seems destined to be a flair player in a highly competitive sector.

Following in the tyre tracks of a far from undistinguished predecessor, the second generation Leon has kept faith with the shapely prototype unveiled to an enthusiastic audience at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Elegantly styled, but distinctively racy, with its eye-catching nose featuring a graceful headlight set-up and nicely rounded front wheel arches, the new Leon is all about head turningly neat creaselines linking flowing curves to promote a definitive sporty image.

Further emphasising its sporty coupe look, this five-door hatchback also gets the appearance of a three-door model with the rear door handles concealed within the door frames in Alfa Romeo 156 fashion.

The new Leon provides even more for your money with increased overall dimensions. This translates into a much more comfortable and roomy interior with all occupants well catered for plus a bonus of increased capacity in a more user-friendly luggage bay.

The inside story is one of a much more quality feel courtesy of the high grade fabrics and plastics. The cowled dash is neatly laid out with dials featuring white backlighting to enhance the red needles and the prominent centre console tilts accomodatingly ever so slightly towards the driver.

Kit levels are progressively more generous through the four trim lines, Reference, Sport, Stylance and the oddly named Sport-Up. Even the entry level Reference including air con, six-speaker sound system with CD, electric windows and door mirrors, a sextet of airbags, ABS braking and switchable Traction Control as standard.

From launch, there will be a quartet of engines on offer – 1.6-litre 102bhp and two-litre FSi 150bhp with diesel urge coming courtesy of 1.9-litre 105bhp and two-litre 140bhp TDI power sources.

Shortly after launch, the VW Group’s new two-litre 185bhp petrol engine will also be available.

Both the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9 TDI engines paired with five-speed manual transmission are agreeable roadway companions, the former hitting the 0-60mph mark in a family-style 11.7 seconds and proving quite capable of around 37mpg over the combined driving cycle.

But the diesel does it better, accelerating from 0-60mph in 11.3 seconds and, depending upon individual driving style, promising an impressive 57.6mpg.

While the lesser diesel provides sufficient pace and good economy, the two-litre TDI will also have many takers.

This 140bhp oil-burner is well up to taking the new Leon out of the blocks to 60mph in 9.3 seconds while being capable of returning around 50mpg over the combined driving cycle.

Each model in the new Leon range benefits from SEAT’s Agile Chassis set-up which has been revised to reward drivers with a highly entertaining ride and drive.

The new Leon cruises the motorway in effortless fashion with wind and road noise nicely contained. The new Electrical Power Steering system (EPS) is swift, responsive and communicative, combining well with the stiffened body shell to provide very precise handling.

Dubbed the sportiest model in SEAT’s latest generation line-up, the new Leon looks good and by golly it does you good at the wheel and, despite SEAT declining to forecast sales figures at this moment in time, it should prove to be pretty hot property throughout next year.

Obviously, pricing will have a big influence on its showroom performance and, while prices are not expected to be confirmed until August, the smart money is on a starting price of a little under £12,500.

More Seat Leon Information

More Seat Leon Information

More Seat Leon Information

More Seat Leon Information

YOU can’t go far wrong with SEAT these days.

For a start you get real Spanish flair in the styling and then you get the excellent technology and quality from sister brands VW and Audi. It is a potent mixture and the new SEAT Leon makes the best use of it.

Marketing boss Mark McKenna makes no secret of the fact that the new Leon is aimed at a younger market who have ‘edge’.

And to back that up SEAT is using tennis genius John McEnroe in their advertising campaign and he is a man who is known for having ‘attitude’.

The new car goes on sale on September 17 and comes from the pen of designer Walter de’Silva.

The new shape is sporty and aggressive and makes the Leon a medium-sized hatch that stands out from the crowd.

Longer, wider and taller than the car it replaces, the extra size results in considerably more interior room, especially for rear passengers.

The Leon features a steeply raked windscreen and a curving roofline which drops substantially at the rear. With the rear door handles hidden in the door frame, the look is almost coupe like.

Four engines are being offered from day one and they are all familiar VW group units. There is a 1.6-litre 102bhp petrol and a two-litre FSI petrol with 150bhp, as well as two diesels, a 1.9TDI of 105bhp and a 2.0 TDI with 140bhp.

From November there will also be a high-performance two-litre TFSI offering 185bhp.

The smaller diesel and petrol engines get five-speed manual gearboxes while the bigger units are mated with six-speeds. The larger petrol is also offered with the option of a Tiptronic automatic box.

All the engines are lively performers and will meet the needs of their respective buyers.

The 1.6 petrol unit reaches 60mph in just 11.7 seconds and has a top speed of 114mph while offering an overall consumption figure of 38.1mpg.

The larger two-litre petrol does the sprint in 8.8 seconds and goes on to 128mph while still returning an average 35.7 miles to the gallon.

But for me the best of the lot is the two-litre diesel which offers superb torque and tackles the sprint in 10 seconds. It goes on to 125mph but it offers excellent fuel economy of 50.4mpg and has low exhaust emissions of 154g/km so it will be a strong contender in the company car market.

The sporty looks of the new Leon are thankfully transferred to the road.

The car features electronic power steering and a new multi-link rear axle, together with revised chassis and suspension settings which combine to make it a nimble performer with excellent manners.

Inside the cabin is crisp and well designed, although the plastics are a bit harsher than in its more expensive VW and Audi siblings.

Five trim levels are offered and some of them have stupid names. Would you know what to expect from an Essence, Reference or Stylance?

Neither would I, but they are all reasonably well equipped for the money, although surprisingly the entry level model does not feature air-conditioning.

The boot is not huge at 12 cubic feet but you can increase this by folding the rear SEATs should the need arise.

Prices start at £11,295 and rise to £17,295 and a really hot Cupra version is expected next year.

SEAT hopes to sell 14,000 Leons in the UK in a full year with the split being equal between private and business sales and this good looking newcomer may just reward them with an even better result.

Take my advice though and opt for one of the diesels.

More Seat Leon Information

More Seat Leon Information

More Seat Leon Information

SEAT’s Leon only came out in 2000 so it’s not particularly cheap yet, but it is a great car to drive, and like other SEAT’s comes with the same kind of build quality parent company VW is famous for.

That means that with the right servicing and care, SEATs last really well and should rival the longevity and reliability VW is famous for.

The Leon is a five door hatch which uses the same floorpan as the booted Toledo and the VW Golf/ Skoda Octavia.

It’s a little shorter than the Toledo, but otherwise matches its proportions, yet it is put into the small family bracket, while the Toledo goes into the next up large family car group. Crazy isn’t it?

No matter which group it fits in, the Leon is a good riding, fine handling family-sized car with great poise and plenty of style.

Engines range up from the VW group’s 75bhp 1.4, which is not really man enough for the weight, through both eight and 16 valve 1.6′s to 1.8′s with and without a turbo. There are also two diesel offerings, both the same size, with either 90 or 110bhp.

Basic specs are S and SE, and even the S has remote locking, electric front windows, power steering, driver, passenger and side airbags, ABS and even air conditioning on 1.6 and above.

SE adds climate control, electric rear windows, sports suspension and an alarm system.

But there is a problem with that, because the sports supension is actually quite hard and unforgiving on some models and the standard set up is much more comfortable without giving much away in loss of handling or roadholding. All in the range handle really well and even those with sports suspension will ride well enough for a lot of drivers.

The top Cupra model has a 1.8 turbo with 180bhp and, like the Sport model below it, comes with a standard six speed gearbox.

The cabin has room for five in reasonable comfort, front SEATs are supportive and driving position excellent, with all the right adjustments.

Insurance is higher than average on some models so make sure you can afford it, but prices make the Golf look very expensive and, if anything, the Leon is better to drive.

Relatively recent design of the bodyshell plus four airbags and ABS all help towards very good safety, but security could do with up-grading.

It gets an immobiliser as standard, but even though most models get an alarm system, it’s not approved by Thatcham and so will have to be up-graded to take advantage of lower insurance premiums.

Lots of lovely Spanish flair around the quality cabin, good looks and handling and reasonable prices. Don’t buy a Golf before you’ve tried one.

Insurance is group 4 up, servicing is every 10,000 miles and economy should be 40mpg for the 1.4 and 34mpg for the 1.8.

Pay around £5,300 for an ’00/W 1.4S, or £5,800 for a 1.6S of the same year. A 1.8 20v SE from 2001 on a Y plate should be £8,200, and an ’01/51 1.9 TDI 90 S will be £8,000.

FORECOURT FACTS

Model: SEAT Leon

Driving: Better comfort without sports suspension, but otherwise very good

Performance: 1.4 slow, rest good to excellent

Economy: 30-54mpg

Safety: Very good – front and side airbags, ABS on most

Recommended Buy: 1.6 S

Alternatives: Ford Focus, VW Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Toyota Corolla

Hit:

Miss:

More Seat Leon Information

SPRING has sprung and never mind love, a young man’s fancy turns to… well holidays mainly.

Up pop the bright orange crocuses and immediately the thought: “Ooh, easyJet.”

Time to head robotically for the travel agents, in search of the essentials; somewhere where the girls all seem to have forgotten to pack a bathing costume but mysteriously brought with them their little brother’s catapult pouch.

Then there will be the sun. What’s wanted here is a guaranteed blue sky, that can turn 14st of lager into a badly blistered Space Hopper by lunchtime. Then it’s time to retire, until midnight, to Bar Brokenface.

For all this, and the opportunity to ask the nice man with the gun in the airport passport booth for two tickets on the big dipper, much good money will change hands. The alternative is caravanning in Cornwall with mum and dad. And hey, they really, really hope you won’t.

If, however, I suggested the money was spent on a Spanish car, there’d be merriment and mirth all the way to Palma Nosebleed. What did Spain ever do for us?

Well Rioja springs to mind, then hopefully to glass. And what about tapas? The ideal solution for those menu-ly challenged: “I’ll have one of the green ones, two of the ringy things and what’s that?”, “Draught lager, signor.”

Rejoice too at the architecture. Ecclesiastically we have Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, which looks very much like the mountain Richard Dreyfus built from his bin in Close Encounters. Barcelona has Gaudie’s monumental bid for immortality. A work of brilliance from a mind abstract enough to get a man run over by a tram. Which he was.

All that and music. The beauty of the Flamenco guitar. The UK’s contribution to aural culture? Busted. So why do I find people questioning the attractiveness of a SEAT? The old story, I’m afraid. Badge prejudice.

Here’s another example, recently a lady of considerable property asked me the doctor question: ” Doctor, I want to change my car, what should I buy and would you suggest I get another Skoda Octavia.” You could have heard a daisy wilt. The answer is yes. It is not take one tablet twice a day after meals until you feel better.

Both SEAT and Skoda products, of course, benefit from belonging to the quality-obsessive VW stable. And the Golf has always had more desirability among young drivers than two nights with Kelly Brooke.

But back to the SEAT. Leon Cupras as it happens. Now I know diesel has the street credibility of a council allotment and the fashion appeal of braces among those who have yet to worry about their pension’s performance, but the Cupra DTi is an interesting animal.

There are ten versions of the Leon, from 1.4 petrol to 1.9 diesel turbo. All based on the Golf and, while not the youngest looking car, still oozing style. The DTi costs £16,000 and out-performs the equivalent Alfa Romeo147.

Very good news for those who like to spend clever money but still, in comparison to its 225 bhp Cupra R brother, more Saga lout than Lager lout.

Ah, yes, the Cupra R. Frankly, if you can’t see the importance of a 150mph, 7.2 seconds to 60mph Spanish Golf for £18,000 I wouldn’t be surprised to find you take your holidays in a rubber room.

The Cupra R is as pulse-quickening as waking up in the middle of a bull fight. I wouldn’t say the interior was much to get excited about but then there’s not really time to look at it. For similar performance some other cars cost the price of a fortnight in Barbados.

And here’s the thing badge snobs should remember. Audi, VW, Skoda and SEAT. All built in different places. All built by robots. And robots don’t have passports.

More Seat Leon Information

More Seat Leon Information

SEAT is motoring into 2008 with its cleanest-ever cars, which have the lowest emissions and the highest economy it has ever achieved.

Reacting to forthcoming European legislation that is intended to drive polluting vehicles off the roads within a decade, the Ibiza Ecomotive is based on a standard 1.4-litre diesel-powered model.

It follows the same theme as the Bluemotion models of parent company Volkswagen by fine-tuning the engine to drive CO2 emissions down below 100g/km (albeit just 1g/km below) whilst achieving remarkable economy of virtually 75mpg.

SEAT is the latest car company eager to be seen to be doing its bit for the environment, which will be the major obsession of all manufacturers throughout 2008 and beyond.

The company decided upon the name of Ecomotive for its high-efficiency models that will gradually be introduced throughout the range.

The first is the Ibiza Ecomotive with a price tag of just a fiver below £11,000 and a choice of three and five door body styles.

Taking a swipe at rivals who are attempting to achieve the same end by different means SEAT says it is “rejecting the potentially expensive and complex hybrid power train route and is instead focusing on squeezing ultra-economical performance from its advanced three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.”

There are also some aerodynamic aids to reduce wind resistance including special low friction tyres and changes to the gear ratios, which SEAT says allows a 0-60mph acceleration time of under 13 seconds nonetheless.

However, despite the need to save weight there is air conditioning, electric front windows, steering wheel-mounted audio controls for the MP3-compatible CD/radio and speed-sensitive electro hydraulic power steering.

The company says that the air conditioning does not affect the official CO2 emissions figure of 99g/km.

This makes the car exempt from VED charges and a likely candidate to avoid the revised London Congestion Charge.

Second car so far in the Ecomotive line-up is the Leon, which uses a 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine to achieve average economy in excess of 60mpg with CO2 emissions below the all-important 120g/km mark.

Again there is no compromise in terms of performance or equipment, with a top speed of 115mph, acceleration to 60mph in 10.9 seconds and the usual remote central locking, air conditioning, curtain airbags, traction control and electric windows.

The Leon Ecomotive costs £14,500 and, like its Ibiza counterpart, should achieve disproportionately high residual values because of its immense desirability on the second-hand market.

SEAT is a brand renowned for producing sporty and distinctive volume models and has taken a bold step by introducing a fresh new FR series for 2006.

FR is short for Formula Racing, and the performance and handling of the new cars are an eye-opener.

The FR Series comprises the new Altea FR, a revamped Ibiza FR, and the second generation of the top-selling Leon FR.

The Leon FR is the newest of the trio, launched in July in petrol and diesel guises, though the Altea is also very new – the petrol version was launched on the same day as its two Leon FR siblings, while the diesel has been on sale since June.

The Ibiza FR was thoroughly revamped in April this year, with a new look, improved equipment and greater value for money.

All three ranges feature a choice of powerful and efficient petrol or diesel engines.

This is an important aspect of their success, as SEAT has recognised that many performance-oriented customers no longer have a “petrol-only” mentality, with increasing numbers preferring the flexibility and economy of a diesel.

Having said that, the latest generation of petrol engines used in the FR Series, such as the two-litre T FSI, provide diesel-like pulling power with impressive fuel economy.

For the Ibiza, the petrol and diesel engines are a 1.8-litre 20V T 150bhp and 1.9-litre TDI 130bhp respectively, while the Leon and Altea share the same pair of sophisticated new powerplants: a two-litre T FSI 200bhp and two-litre TDI 170bhp.

Styling changes make all three are distinct from other models in the range, and share design touches that are exclusive to the FR Series.

All feature exclusive FR alloy wheel designs, silver-painted door mirrors, twin exhaust pipes, special front and rear bumpers, FR sports SEATs, white instrumentation, exclusive steering wheel and gearknob designs, plus a dose of ‘FR’ badging inside and out.

So, they look sporty, and they don’t disappoint when you get behind the wheel.

I spent a few hours driving the new FR range on a road route and under test track conditions.

All models have lowered suspensions, firmer dampers and a computer programme which adjusts power steering assistance depending on driving speed.

The overall result is more precise roadholding, sharper handling and quicker steering and better driver feedback.

Anti-lock brakes and traction control are standard on Ibiza FR, and Leon FR adds electronic stability control, emergency brake assist and other driving aids.

I am highly impressed with the range, especially the Leon 2.0 FSI with 200bhp under the bonnet.

Instant acceleration, superb pulling power even in higher gears, and a 7.3 second 0-62mph sprint time make the Leon a class act. And, according to SEAT, you will get close to 36mpg on a combined run.

All FR models, with the exception of the Ibiza 20V T petrol, come with slick six-speed manual gear changes and have a high level of standard safety and security equipment, including front and side airbags, remote central locking, immobiliser and alarm, climate control, CD/radio, electric front windows.

SEAT has made a name for itself by going out to target the younger buyer who as well as wanting a practical motor is also looking for sporty performance. The FR range really fits the bill.

Prices for the FR line up are: Ibiza 1.8 20V T FR £11,975; Ibiza TDI FR £13,120; Leon T FSI FR £16,995; Leon TDI FR £17,495; Altea T FSI FR £17,295; and Altea TDI FR £17,795.

SEAT has announced the most powerful model in the new Leon range so far.

The 185bhp engine fitted in the new Leon 2.0 TFSI enables it to sprint from rest to 62 mph in 7.8 seconds before hitting a maximum speed of 137mph. One trim level is available for the car, which costs £15,995.

Standard equipment includes climate control, front fog lights, CD player with eight speakers, front and rear electric windows, tinted windows, twin exhaust pipes and cruise control.

Safety kit includes six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, ISOFIX child SEAT anchorage, ABS and ESP.

Visually, the 2.0 TFSI shares its design cues with the other Leon Sport model, the 2.0 TDI PD 140PS. This means 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and sports SEATs.