Category Archives: Vehicle type

Electric/hybrid, Family hatchback, SEAT

SEAT plugs in with sporty hybrid

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SEAT Leon hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

Sometimes its the little things the grab your attention when driving a new car. Yes, the Leon is typically SEAT; sleek profile with sharp styling and proud to be known as the sporty arm of the VW group.

But it was the puddle lights in the door mirror that caught my attention, reflecting the Spanish word ‘hola’ onto ground when activated by the key. A clever gimmick, but the new SEAT has so much more to offer.

A plug-in hybrid that offers economy and pace, low Benefit in Kind taxation benefits, starting at just six per cent for the baseline model. It’s also competitively priced, starting at just over £30k, even if this tested range topper will set you back more than £41k.

The  power unit is a combination of a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine and an 85kW electric motor to offer 204PS of power, mated with 13.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack to deliver a claimed electric range of up to 38 miles and CO2 of 28g/km.

Official economy figures show between 217 and 235mpg, a figure theoretically possible, but real world figures are harder to determine. Keep it fully charged and there will be few trips to the petrol station, but running on petrol alone with the battery discharged, around 40mpg seemed possible.

‘The Leon offers a pleasing mixture of sharp angles and flowing curves and low profile’

It also delivers performance well into hot hatch territory, with rapid pace from a standing start and a top speed not nearly double what’s permitted on UK motorways. It races to 60mph in just 7.5 seconds and on to a theoretical top speed of 137mph.

Based on the Group’s MQB architecture it offers a pleasing mixture of sharp angles and flowing curves and low profile. The FR models feature sporty front and rear bumpers, dynamic, dual exhaust pipes and lowered suspension.

 The interior is dominated by a 10-inch touchscreen which controls major functions like connectivity, infotainment and navigation and the now familiar customisable digital cockpit, seen on other VW brands.

Fixtures and fittings are high quality and the bland black interior is lifted by red stitching. Seats are comfortable and head and legroom good. Hatchbacks are practical by definition, but space in this hybrid is compromised by the position of the large battery to the rear, this eats up a substantial 100 litres of stowages space over the non-hybrid models, with 270  litres available, rather than 380.

On the road, the car is a fine performer, offering sporty performance, aided by MacPherson suspension at the front and a multilink system at the rear, together with the Dynamic Chassis Control deliver a composed but firm ride.

Even the entry level FR is packed with standard kit, while this range-topping First Edition model adds luxuries like 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, heated front seats and steering wheel, rear view camera and keyless entry.

All have excellent safety features including full complement of airbags. and this model included, Dynamic Chassis Control, Safety and Driving Pack consisting of dynamic road sign display; adaptive cruise control with follow to stop and speed limiter.

The car  always starts in all-electric mode (when the battery is sufficiently charged). The drive switches to hybrid mode if the energy capability of the battery drops below a certain level or if the accelerator is pressed to such a point that the engine is required to assist with acceleration.

In Hybrid mode, the driver has the possibility of maintaining the charge status to a defined level. By doing so, the vehicle runs almost entirely on petrol power, using both the engine and regenerative braking to charge the battery. This makes it possible to drive into an urban destination area under electric power and with zero emissions.

Remotely, the SEAT Connect app can manage the charging process via the e-Manager, control the air conditioning – the vehicle can be pre-heated for up to 30 minutes between 15 and 22 degrees celsius – and manage departure times (to ensure vehicle is charged and ready) all from the smartphone app.

Factfile

SEAT Leon e-HYBRID FR First Edition

Price: £ 41,745

Mechanical: Combined 204PS 1498cc, four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via six speed DSG auto gearbox

Maximum speed: 137mph

Acceleration: 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds

Economy: 217-235 mpg (WLTP)

Insurance group: 27E

CO2 emissions: 28g/km

BiK rating: 12 per cent

Warranty: three years, 60,000 miles

MG, Supermini

Mini MG steps up to the marque

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MG3

By Bill McCarthy

MG’s supermini has taken a quantum leap forward from the first version introduced back in 2013. Better in virtually every area, but still offering incredible value for money, an iconic badge and industry-equalling seven-year warranty – notot to mention low insurance rates, making it particularly attractive for younger buyers.

It’s also stylish and practical, with the largest boot space in its segment. The firm’s blurb says: “Designed to make a bold statement, the New MG3 is targeted at style-conscious buyers seeking something different from the rest of the market, offering a wealth of personalisation options.”

A typical sales pitch, but accurate in many ways. One of the first things that strikes you about it is the ease of entry and exit, the kind you would expect on a larger SUV.

It is a smart looking car, with the iconic MG badge set in the middle of a deep, wide grille flanked by LED daytime running lights, wit deep air scoops below.

 In addition there are body coloured door handles, powered electric door mirrors and rear spoiler, together with side sills with  body coloured with black insert, so it does have a funky, sporty look. 

Equally distinctive is the side profile where the body coloured side skirts lower the stance and it is all finished of nicely with 16-inch diamond-cut alloys.

“It’s quite a package and hard to argue about value for money, even the range topper is under £14k”

 if that’s not enough, there are also customisable options, with six distinctive colour variations.

It is well equipped, with many goodies found on much more expensive cars. It features all round electric windows, all versions come with Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming and AUX/USB as standard, plus an eight inch colour touchscreen and steering wheel audio controls.

The interior continues the sporty theme, but lacks some of the soft touch plastics sophistication of some of its competitors. But the harsh dark plastics are nicely offset with a tartan finish on this model, together with matching red stitching and graphic highlights. This model also featured sports seats and multi-function steering wheel.

The centrepiece is the screen, which features navigation, smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay, DAB radio and also houses the reversing camera on this model. Other controls are functional, if looking slightly dated.

Underlining the easy access and exit from the car is the class-leading head and legroom, which accommodates  four people in comfort, with the fifth a  tight squeeze. No surprise really in this class of car. But it does have a roomy feel to it especially with the large glass areas allowing plenty of light into the cabin.

The 105 bhp petrol engine is a lively unit. Mated to a slick-shifting five speed manual gearbox, it hits 60mph in just over 10 seconds. It is refined enough and has just enough poke on the motorway for reasonable overtaking. Fuel economy is a claimed 47-odd mpg, but I struggled to get 40, while CO2 emissions are on the high side.

 Road performance is good with sharp, sporty handling making it an engaging drive, while the direct, responsive steering adds to the agility of the car. This can be at the expense of comfort through the firm ride. The suspension is  specifically designed for British roads and  can become uncomfortable over lesser surfaces.

In practical terms, it has one of the most spacious boots in its class, with an impressive 285 litres of capacity. Rising to 1,262 with the seats folded. A sizeable stowage space in a small car.

Versions include Excite at £12,195, Exclusive and Exclusive Nav and all featuring the single 1.5 litre petrol power unit. 

Safety features include twin front, side and curtain airbags, electronic stability control, corner brake control, hill hold control and traction control as standard.

It’s quite a package and hard to argue about the value for money, with even this range topper costing £13,840 on the road.

Oh yes, and there’s that warranty, seven years or 80k miles for extra peace of mind.

Factfile

MG3 Exclusive 1.5 

Price: £ 13,840

Mechanical: 1498cc, 105bhp, four-cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via five speed gearbox

Maximum speed: 108mph

Acceleration: 0-60mph in 10.4 seconds

Economy: 47.1 mpg (NEDC2)

Insurance group: 6

CO2 emissions: 140g/km

Warranty: seven years, 80,000 miles’