A team of test-drivers from market-leading consumer magazine What Car? have put the ultra-frugal Leon Ecomotive through its paces at the legendary Nürburgring racetrack.

They set out to establish whether there was as a cool green car that could also deliver the warm, rosy feelings prompted by a more sporting drive.

The tax-beating Leon completed 16 flying laps of the 12.9-mile Nürburgring circuit, which is nicknamed the ‘green hell’ because of the dense woodland that surrounds the track.

But far from enduring hell, the What Car? team heaped praise on the 105PS Leon’s abilities, describing the low emissions hatchback as “secure”, “well-built” and “freshly styled”.

“For our 1,000-mile round trip from London to the ‘Ring, including sixteen 13-mile ‘Ring laps at full racing speeds and running around on the stunning local roads, our Leon Ecomotive recorded an overall average of 53.4mpg… Pretty amazing for a spacious five-door dive-seater with free road tax.”

As well as proving its green credentials, the Leon Ecomotive also demonstrated its sporting prowess by comfortably setting lap times of around 10 minutes.

This 10-page advertorial is featured in the August edition of What Car?, which is on sale now.

Journalists representing some of Britain’s most influential motoring magazines and websites have returned an enthusiastic verdict on the new Leon Cupra R after the UK press launch in Leicestershire.

After completing a road route, the assembled press pack – including writers from Autocar, Auto Express, What Car?, Auto Trader and the popular Pistonheads website – took to Rockingham racetrack near Corby, where they were able to put SEAT’s most powerful production car through its paces.

The journalists applauded the Cupra R’s shattering acceleration, sharp handling and value for money, concluding that SEAT’s hottest ever hatchback successfully combined outstanding performance with the practical appeal of a family-friendly five-door.

What they said…

Practical Caravan awarded third place in the 1,575-1,724kg class of this year’s Towcar Awards to the Exeo ST 2.0 TDI CR 170PS, behind the Skoda Superb Estate and Peugeot 5008 2.0 HDi 150 Sport.

The judges said the Exeo ST “was an appealing alternative” to other estates in its class, and was “well equipped and good value”. The panel were also “happy with the SEAT’s high-speed stability” and “the powerful 2.0-litre diesel engine had no trouble pulling to the top of the test hill.”

Practical Caravan claims its awards, backed by What Car? and The Camping and Caravanning Club, are “the UK’s most vigorous and thorough towcar assessment programme”. Each car is tested by a panel of six judges for its towing ability, buying and owning costs, drive quality when not towing and practicality.

SEAT is celebrating its 60th birthday but far from being a pensioner, it continues to grow and develop.

SEAT’s 600 – put Spain on the road
(Photo: Wikimedia)

Established in May 1950 by the Spanish government’s INI development agency, Fiat and bank capital, it took three years to produce its first car – the SEAT 1400. But the company really took off with the SEAT 600, based loosely on Fiat’s 600. By 1973, SEAT had produced 800,000 of them, practically putting Spain on the road.

The millionth car milestone was reached in 1968, when a yellow SEAT 124 was handed over on a TV game show. By 1971, SEAT was Spain’s biggest industrial company and in 1974 was eighth biggest car company in Europe. Its success could be measured by how the Spanish embraced the brand. Of the 2.4 million vehicles on Spanish roads in the early 1970s, half wore the SEAT badge. SEAT’s success has always been based on design innovation, supported since 1975 on the Martorell Technical Centre near Barcelona, where the current production plant is also sited. From the technical centre, the first of SEAT’s own designs was the 1200 and 1430 Sport models – the original ‘bocanegra’ (black mouth) model nicknamed for its plastic headlamp surround and radiator grille.

Ronda – legally challenged (Photo: Wikimedia)

As it headed into the 1980s, SEAT’s progress continued but the accounts showed losses. The government and banks decided to sell off much of Fiat’s stake. Fiat’s involvement in SEAT ended in 1982 but not without a final legal tiff when SEAT launched the Ronda. Fiat claimed the car had ‘borrowed’ too much from its Ritmo. SEAT ended the dispute by presenting a Ronda with all SEAT-designed items painted yellow. The car was, to all intents and purposes, yellow.

SEAT was still losing money in the early 1980s but a budding relationship with Volkswagen Group was starting to bear fruit. The most symbolic success of SEAT’s early collaborations was the SEAT Ibiza – designed by Giugiaro and engined by Porsche in some models. It was feisty, fast, fun and symbolised the new spirit of Spain. In June 1986, representations by Volkswagen’s chairman, Dr Carl H. Hahn, to the socialist prime minister of Spain, Felipe González, bore fruit when Spain agreed to a privatisation and sold 51 per cent of SEAT to Volkswagen. The shareholding rose to 75 per cent by Christmas 1986.

Then the export business which SEAT so badly needed began to flow. By the end of the ‘80s SEAT was making almost 500,000 cars a year and, in 1990, Volkswagen bought the remaining SEAT shares.

The ‘90s dawned with a new factory at Martorell, sponsorship of the Barcelona Olympics, and the confidence to withdraw Volkswagen and Audi products from SEAT showrooms as SEAT developed cars for all the niches. The Alhambra was SEAT’s collaborative MPV and built in Portugal, the all-new Ibiza was launched, the Cordoba SX a two-door spin-off. And SEAT led the 2-litre class of the World Rally Championship.

In 1998, the two millionth Ibiza rolled off the production line and, as the decade closed, SEAT self-funded a 200 billion Peseta R&D investment. The new millennium dawned with SEAT’s Design Director, Walter da Silva, announcing the ‘dynamic line’ theme and a raft of redesigned models – SEAT had truly established the idea of Spanish ‘auto emoción.’

And SEAT went back into motorsport, fielding cars the European Touring Car Championship and, in 2008 and 2009, winning the World Touring Car Championship manufacturer and driver titles with a Leon TDI – a diesel out-performing petrol-powered rivals. SEAT has truly established itself, not as a Volkswagen subsidiary, but as a Spanish car maker with Spanish ideals.

WTC SEAT Leon TDI – driven with emotion

New Alhambra – designed with emotion

All aboard: the stylish new SEAT Exeo
at the Millbrook Proving Ground
(Photo: Andy Paradise)

It almost seems a shame to do what we are about to do. One brand new SEAT Exeo 2.0 TDI SE saloon sits gleaming in the summer sun. With its smart executive styling it looks perfect for a business trip or a visit to the golf course. instead, we are about to put it through a day of torture on the test track. Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire is the venue for the day’s testing and assisting in the process are guest testers and Telegraph readers, Rod Ashley and Paul Lombardelli.

It almost seems a shame to do what we are about to do. One brand new SEAT Exeo 2.0 TDI SE saloon sits gleaming in the summer sun. With its smart executive styling it looks perfect for a business trip or a visit to the golf course. instead, we are about to put it through a day of torture on the test track. Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire is the venue for the day’s testing and assisting in the process are guest testers and Telegraph readers, Rod Ashley and Paul Lombardelli.

Once out on the track, our team wastes no time in putting the SEAT’s 2-litre turbodiesel engine to the test. The engine produces 143PS and a hefty 320Nm of pulling power. The Exeo uses the same TDI turbodiesel engine technology that has already powered SEAT to back-to-back 2008/9 World Touring Car Championship manufacturer and driver titles. So coping with Millbrook is not exactly a problem.

The Exeo’s quick-changing, six-speed manual gearbox helps the drivers exploit the performance to the full. Losing speed is easy too, thanks to anti-lock braking as standard and emergency brake assist, which significantly enhances the car’s stopping ability and stability under braking.

Just as impressive as the engine’s performance is its fuel economy. The Exeo returns a combined 53.3mpg and emits just 139g/km of CO2, resulting in a benefit in kind tax rating of just 19%. The Exeo 2.0 TDI CR (143PS) SE saloon is keenly priced at £20,395, and comes with a high-level, high technology specification as standard. Car cost expert CAP places the future used value of the Exeo well ahead of that of key rivals, rendering it a strong financial proposition for private and business users alike.

Happily we don’t have to worry about such mundane matters just at the moment — and the same goes for speed limits. Millbrook’s challenging high-speed, five-lane, two-mile circular bowl allows our testers to experience the stability of the Exeo at its 133mph top speed. Afterwards, it’s onto the Alpine Hill route and its challenging hairpin bends.

Our team pushes the car right to the limit and a little bit beyond at times. But there’s no deception in the SEAT’s sporty looks. The front-wheel-drive chassis turns into corners with poise as the steering feeds plenty of information to the drivers.

The tyres wrapped around the standard 17in alloy wheels provide plenty of grip. But it’s comforting to know that the car’s electronic stability programme is constantly monitoring information from the steering wheel, tyres, brakes and accelerator and making adjustments when necessary to keep everyone safe.

No matter how eagerly our testers attack the hairpin bends, life inside the spacious, finely detailed cabin remains both calm and comfortable.

The Exeo’s suspension smoothes out the bumps with ease, its standard, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning keeps cabin temperature just right and the supportive front seats hold driver and passenger firmly in place. Rear seat passengers are well catered for too, while a capacious 460-litre boot takes care of luggage. SEAT, of course, also offers a five-door ST model, which looks every inch as sporting as the saloon.

Our day at the track draws to a close and our test team drivers get together to compare notes. All agree that the SEAT Exeo has come through with flying colours. The car’s keen pricing and sound business credentials make it perfect for private and business buyers alike, while SEAT’s quality engineering has enabled it to soak up an extremely tough day’s testing with consummate ease.

Happily the Exeo looks every bit as smart and as sporting as it did first thing this morning and its paintwork is still gleaming. The one difference is there may not be quite as much tread left on the tyres.

The Telegraph reader test team

Technical Data

SEAT Exeo 2.0 TDI Cr (143PS) SE Saloon

Price: £20,395
Engine: 2.0-litre turbodiesel
Power: 143PS, 320nm
0-62mph: 9.2 seconds
Combined mpg: 53.3mpg
CO2: 139g/km
Benefit in kind tax rating: 19%

Equipment fitted as standard includes integrated Bluetooth with voice control, MP3 CD stereo with eight speakers, cruise control, dual zone climate control, electric one-touch windows front and rear, rear parking sensors, driver and front passenger airbags, front and side curtain airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, multi-function trip computer and 17in alloy wheels.

Experience this fabulous car for yourself. Take a test drive in the new SEAT Exeo by calling 01698 225 055 or fill out the test drive request form

Designed to meet the demands of fleet and business buyers who make up the lion’s share of Exeo customers, the new Exeo saloon and ST tech models include the most popular selection of extras for buyers in this sector and, crucially, adds significant value.

The luxurious new models add thousands of pounds worth of extra standard equipment to the already well-specified models for just £875 more than the normal SE or Sport derivatives.

Included as standard on the new SE Tech and Sport Tech models are DVD-based colour screen satellite navigation, Bose premium audio upgrade, luxurious black leather upholstery and an iPod connection in lieu of the standard glove compartment-mounted USB port.

Together, priced as options, these highly desirable extras would previously have cost an Exeo SE or Sport customer £3,270 – yet the price of the same Exeo SE Tech or Exeo ST Sport Tech is just £875 more.

Or, to put it another way, by opting for a Tech model the Exeo buyer is saving a very handy £2,395 (RRP).

The Bose premium sound system upgrade sees both saloon and ST versions of the Exeo gain ten high-performance Bose speakers, a digital amplifier featuring Bose Digital Signal Processing, AudioPilot noise compensation technology and five channels of customised equalisation.

The financial proposition stands up, too. Building on the Exeo’s already solid residual value predictions (CAP Monitor valuation: 31 per cent, three years/60,000 miles, Exeo 2.0 TDI 143 PS SE), it is expected that the new Tech versions will boast further enhanced residuals which will, of course, please cost-conscious fleet managers.

And company car drivers will be eagerly eyeing the calculator, too. Previously, to have secured such a luxuriously specified Exeo they would have needed to check several options boxes, which would have increased up the car’s RRP and, consequently, benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax.

Now though, thanks to the arrival of the Exeo Tech specification, the company car tax implications are negligible. In fact the increase in BIK for 20 per cent tax payers opting to drive an Exeo 2.0 TDI 143 PS SE Tech instead of a standard Exeo SE amounts to just £33.25 a year, or a measly £2.77 a month.

“Since its launch just 12 months ago the Exeo, and its estate sibling the Exeo ST, have been quietly building a reputation for great value among fleets and business customers nationwide,” says SEAT UK’s Head of Fleet and Business Sales, Nick Andrews.

“Now, with the arrival of these luxuriously specified Tech versions, I’m confident even more people will come to appreciate the exceptional value provided by these executive class SEATs.”

The third member of the Ibiza family, the new ST, has been unveiled at the Geneva motor show.

“The Ibiza ST is a triumphant combination of comfort, practicality and space,” said James Muir, President of SEAT S.A.

When it goes on sale in the UK in September, it will be available with a choice of six engines – three petrol and three diesel – with the small but powerful 1.2-litre TSI engine emitting just 91g/km of CO2.

An impressive range of safety features, including ESP, ABS and Isofix, also give it a five-star Euro NCAP rating for passenger safety.

Look out for full pricing and specification details from SEAT soon.

The new Ibiza ST was a big hit with journalists who were taken to Spain for the car’s international launch last week.

“On the face of it, the SEAT Ibiza ST is a small estate in the same mould as the Peugeot 207 SW or the Skoda Fabia Estate. But there’s more to it than that,” says Honest John

“It’s the only estate – of any size – with a version that won’t cost you a penny in road tax. The 1.2-litre TDI with 75PS uses stop/start technology to come in at just 94g/km CO2… It’ll also return an incredibly impressive 78.5mpg on the combined cycle.”

“Inside it actually offers more luggage space than the larger Leon… Couple this with relatively low depreciation and insurance groups and the SEAT Ibiza ST makes sense as a cost-effective small family car.”

“Price, practicality, costs and looks will be top priority on most buyers’ lists,” says Mark Nichol from Car Enthusiast . “With that in mind, the Ibiza ST makes a compelling case for itself.

“All the engines are frugal and punchy, to a greater or lesser extent, but primarily, the ST is a spacious and comfortable little car. The range of movement of the seat and wheel is wide, the controls are light and direct and, fundamentally, the boot is well shaped and loading is easy. It’s also cheap to run, whatever engine you choose.

“It’s worth noting that the 1.2-litre TDI diesel ST Ecomotive is, for now, SEAT’s cleanest car, with only 94g/km of CO2 and 78.5mpg. As a topical comparison, the Toyota Prius manages ‘only’ 72.4mpg.”

Reviews at Autocar were also impressed by the latest addition to the SEAT range: “The Ibiza is a worthy rival to the 207 SW and Fabia estate, so it should certainly be on your shopping list if you’re after a more spacious supermini.

“Unusually in a small car, the ST uses electro-hydraulic power steering which is natural-feeling, accurate and informative. There’s a welcome degree of throttle interactivity in the handling balance, combined with a surprisingly supple ride.”

“If you’re in the market for a compact, spacious family car but find the thought of running around in a small MPV too much to bear then you’d do well to look at the new SEAT Ibiza ST”, says What Car? , which gives the Ibiza ST four stars out of five.

“It’s a stylish and impressively comfortable wagon that’ll double as a family load-lugger. Its boot is a spacious 430-litre with the rear seats in place, and the rest of the car is smart enough to get you noticed for all the right reasons.

“SEAT has now got its hands on the latest Volkswagen Group engines, which include the sweet 1.2-litre TSI petrol turbocharged engine and the super-frugal 1.6 TDI diesel.

“Both generate an identical 105PS and, thanks to turbocharging, both are spookily similar in character. The TSI petrol engine is actually the diamond in the range, pulling strongly from low revs and proving happy to spin smoothly right up to the red line.”

Luke Madden at Auto Express says the ST “is a logical and competent addition to the Ibiza family, giving style, a little extra space and an adequate drive.”

“[It’s] load area is well thought out… the tailgate opens wide and the low-set bumper lip makes it easy to load. Minimal wheelarch intrusion means the boot is a very usable size.

“Plus, neat touches include elastic straps and netting to stop things from rolling around, hooks to hang bags from and a small tray beneath the parcel shelf to keep items hidden.”

Last week (5 May), Auto Express pitted SEAT’s latest hot hatch, the Ibiza FR TDI, against the Alfa Mito 1.4-litre 135PS Veloce. “Our duo is closely matched on price, power and emissions,” says the magazine. “But which one provides more hot-hatch thrills for the money?”

“The latest hot SEAT is exactly what we’ve come to expect from the brand,” says Auto Express. “On paper this should have been a closely fought contest, but on the road it was anything but. We fully expected the diesel SEAT to be cleaner and more efficient than the petrol Alfa, but the Ibiza was also faster, quieter, smoother and more practical than its rival.

“The MiTo is a flawed machine. Without the adjustable suspension of the Cloverleaf flagship, its jittery ride is irritating and detracts from the driving experience. The Alfa looks great and has a terrific engine, but it’s let down by its restless road manners.”

In stark contrast, “the SEAT is composed, refined and enjoyable to drive,” says Auto Express. “The Ibiza FR is a versatile choice. Whether it’s pounding up and down motorways, nipping through town or blasting along back roads, it is an assured and capable machine. Affordable prices, strong resale values and excellent fuel economy take care of your pocket, too.”

Read the full road test on Auto Express online 

• Dynamic concept for urban mobility
• Stunning evolution of design DNA
• Electric drive with 75 kW (102PS) motor for zero-emissions driving

SEAT has unveiled its first all-electric car at the 2010 Geneva motor show: the IBE concept. This compact sports coupe combines stunning design, great driving fun and emissions-free mobility.

The future of emissions-free travel

The IBE’s 75kW (102PS) motor is located beneath the car’s flat bonnet, with the lithium-ion battery positioned in the car’s very short rear. The power unit, which can produce up to 200 Nm of torque, delivers exactly the kind of dynamic driving fun you might expect of a car that looks so sporty. The typical ‘city dash’ from 0 to 50 km/h takes only 3.4 seconds; in 6.3 seconds the IBE has reached 80 km/h and, after only 9.4 seconds, it arrives at 100 km/h.

The 1,000kg car’s continuous power rating is limited to 50 kW (68PS), with the top speed pegged at 160 km/h – more than enough to cut an impressive dash even on urban motorways. The IBE’s battery capacity is 18 kWh, which is plenty to cover all the daily mobility requirements of city life.

The IBE is also equipped with the latest safety and communication systems and is ready for car-to-x communication. Anticipating the information network of the future, the car is even capable of exchanging data about its status or safety alerts directly with other vehicles or the traffic infrastructure.

Evolution of SEAT’s design DNA

The IBE’s clean, precise athletic styling and powerful proportions define the continued evolution of SEAT’s design DNA.

At first glance, the IBE seems to have the proportions of a classic sports car; it’s short, low and wide, and has an extremely low front end and broad shoulders. Yet it interprets this style genre in an innovative way to create a compact vehicle optimised for youthful living in urban areas.

The IBE is 3.78 metres long – making it more than 25 centimetres shorter than an Ibiza – but its unusual breadth of 1.80 metres and overall height of just 122 centimetres lend it classic sports car proportions.

Classically sporty features of the two-door layout include its extremely low bonnet and long roof line. The short front overhang and muscular rear end work together with the arch-filling 19-inch wheels to underscore the car’s powerful, compact look.

Visual highlights include the full LED headlamps, trademark Arrow Design nose, elongated and flattened V-shaped bonnet (made possible thanks to use of a full electric motor), broad ‘shoulders’ and sculpted flanks. The rear light clusters also feature LED light guide technology and carry on the ‘arrow’ thematic.

Tightly cut as a 2+2, the IBE is conceived for youthful lifestyles and while it has plenty of space for a couple, there is also the possibility of carrying up to four people.

“Electric mobility will always be combined with excellent design”

“With the IBE we are demonstrating that, for SEAT, electric mobility will always be combined with excellent design and outstanding driving fun,” says James Muir, President of SEAT S.A.

“The IBE is in the best SEAT tradition of always offering the boldest and most youthful cars in its class. On top of that, our first electric concept car represents the continuation of our strategy for the future.

“Along with the huge success of the highly efficient Ecomotive models, we are now working intensively on electric mobility; and that includes plug-in hybrid drive, as well as an all-electric vehicle.”