Tag Archives: SEAT

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

City cars, electric, Manufacturer, SEAT, Vehicle type

Leading the charge

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SEAT Mii Electric

By Bill McCarthy

CITY cars are no longer cheap and nasty, although not that many were that nasty in the first place. That has changed with the electric car revolution, so the Mii will now set you back the thick end of £20k. Pricey for such a small car.

But it boasts equipment levels usually found on premium models, somewhat mitigating the cost. These include metallic paint, sports seats, LED daytime running lights, cruise control, rear parking sensors, rain sensors and fast DC charging capabilities.

The funky Mii is the first electric vehicle from the SEAT brand, laying the groundwork for more to join the family in the future says the firm.

Longer journeys are now also less of a problem as the network of charging points grow

 But what you still get with this groundbreaking little car is the same practicality and fun as previous petrol versions, but with huge savings on fuel and carbon emissions.

The vehicle capable of a range of a claimed 161 miles on a single charge. I topped it up once during a week and that was only because I wanted to be on the safe side as the weather was shocking. Lights, wipers and demisters put a strain on the battery.

The problems of fully electric motors have always been the range, but this is becoming less of a problem as battery technology develops. Longer journeys are now also less of a problem as the network of charging points grow and the ability, like this vehicle, to get an 80 per cent charge in around an hour. Just enough time for a cuppa on a motorway service station.

Home wall box/public or work charge point will take around four hours, while plugged into an ordinary wall socket will take 13-16 hours.

The  motor, linked to a single speed transmission, provides its 61kW (83PS) of power and 212Nm of torque instantly, meaning the five-door car can reach 31mph from a standstill in only 3.9 seconds. It  simply zips away from a standing start, startling other road users with its pace.

Slightly refreshed, it still looks good, with great efforts to disguise the boxy shape with raked windscreen, neat light clusters and deep bumpers electric logo lettering at the rear and 16-inch alloy wheels.

 The interior too is upgraded and, depending on your taste, looks either funky or odd, with dark interior offset by the white, patterned dashboard. Other features include, ambient lighting, sporty and heated fabric seats, black sport leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake.  Safety is also well catered for with features  such as Lane Assist and Traffic sign recognition as standard equipment and a good range of airbags.

The binnacle and central controls are logical, and there is no central touchscreen. Instead SEAT have introduced a cradle above the dash to hold the phone or pad to do your own thing with navigation, connectivity and infotainment via Bluetooth.

 It is also the first model to include SEAT CONNECT, which allows you to  driving data, parking position, the vehicle’s status, including doors and lights, and the ability to control air-conditioning remotely, all from their smartphone app.

  The car has been designed like a box on wheels to get maximum room inside, which it does, but not totally compromise boot space, which it doesn’t. This makes for a spacious interior with excellent headroom and surprising good legroom.

 It is practical enough despite the limited boot size, with the rear seats splitting and folding to create decent stowage space when required.

On the road, the shape means it won’t appreciate being thrown into corners, but the customised suspension does give a pleasant ride for all occupants, handling pretty well what our potholed roads throw at it. The car is virtually silent, as there is no engine or transmission noise and it is well insulated from road and wind noise.

The Mii is leading the environmentally-friendly way forward for SEAT and while it was already and excellent little car, running costs have become cheaper despite the large initial outlay.

Factfile

SEAT Mii Electric

Price: £19,800 (includes up to £3,000 HMRC electric car grant)

Mechanical: 83PS, 61kwH electric motor driving front wheels via single speed auto transmission

Max speed: 81mph

0-62mph: 12.3 seconds

Range: 161 miles

Insurance group: 12E

CO2 emissions: 00g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles