We drive the new SEATs
www.wheels24.co.za
GTI power will be more available following the launch of the new 147 kW SEAT Leon FR, a new kid on the block that oozes sportiness while retaining sophistication.
We were among the first journalists in the world to drive this new car, which has not yet been officially launched to world markets.
The Leon FR is the cherry on top of a whole range of new cars from Spanish carmaker SEAT - a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen - a brand which is unashamedly sporty and almost brash, while still, in some models at least, retaining an element of family values.
Positioned in the VWSA range between Volkswagen and Audi, the aim of the SEAT range is to take on the likes of Renault, Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Peugeot in offering unconventional flair and passion to offset the often staid VW image.
It will be launched as a stand-alone brand, and sales will come from a separate network of 10 dealers - all of them also VW-Audi dealers to enable proper servicing and repairs - with their own showrooms, away from the VW-Audi brand premises.
Dealers have already been appointed in the main centres around SA, with three in Gauteng, two each in Cape Town and Durban, and one in Bloemfontein and PE.
VWSA marketing director Mike Glendinning said although there were more than 3 500 different parts in the SEAT models compared to VW cars available in SA, generally VW dealers would be able to effect emergency repairs on the SEATs anywhere in the country.
In addition 24 hour roadside assistance is part of the package.
There are three main pillars in the SEAT lineup for SA.
The Leon range
On top is the Leon, a sophisticated car which uses the same A5 platform and power trains as the VW Golf 5 and the latest Audi A3 models, but in fresh new bodywork that emphasises smoothness and Spanish styling flair.
Designed to look like a coupé with five-door practicality, the Leon copies Alfa Romeo's trademark "hidden rear door" concept with the rear door handles disguised into the rear door frames.
The very stylish front-end features large teardrop-shaped headlamps and integrated turn signal lamps, while the stylish flowing bonnet has a large inverted trapezoidal intake grille.
At the side there's more than a hint of BMW Bangle's "flame styling," which SEAT calls its Dynamic Line.
There's a steeply raked windscreen and roof line that curves downwards toward the rear.
There will initially be four models in the range.
These are:
The 110 kW normally aspirated Leon 2.0 FSI manual at R213 000.
The 16 valve 1.9 litre turbo-diesel Leon 103 kW 2.0 TDI manual at R232 000.
The Leon 2.0 TDI with 6-speed DSG dual clutch auto/manual gearbox at R245 500
The 147 kW turbo-charged FSI Leon 2.0 FR at R235 000.
But wait, there's more!
SEAT is set to launch a new Cupra version of the Leon at the British Motor Show coming up soon, and this 165 kW super-hatch will also come to SA once right-hand drive production starts.
All Leons with the exception of the FR are already available at SEAT dealerships, with the FR coming before the end of the year.
And Glendinning stressed there would be no long waiting list as currently found with the VW Golf GTI - delivery would be on a turnaround basis as soon as orders were placed.
The Ibiza range
Anyone nervous about the credentials of SEAT to compete in the local market only needs to take a close look at the Ibiza lineup, where they might notice an uncanny resemblance to the VW Polo Playa as sold successfully in SA a few years ago.
That's because the Playa was based on the previous generation of Ibiza models - at entry level - with parts from the VW bin thrown in to ring styling changes.
However the latest Ibiza is a far cry from the Playa.
It's unashamedly and overtly sporty in its looks and equipment.
Like the Leon it features the trademark trapezoidal grille, but this time with a four-headlamp front end, while the lines are more chunky than those of the Leon, more muscular and youthful.
Again there are four models:
The 85 kW normally-aspirated Ibiza 2.0 Sport 5-door at R154 250
The turbo-charged 96 kW Ibiza 1.9 TDI FR 5-door at R182 400
The more powerful 118 kW Ibiza 1.9 TDI Cupra 3-door at R193 950
The range-topping turbo-charged 132 kW Ibiza 1.8T Cupra 3-door at R199 700
The Altea range
This one is aimed unashamedly at the top-selling Renault Scenic in the small MPV market.
Apart from its super-slippery bodywork, it also makes use of the Golf 5 platform to give superb roadholding and ride, making it equally attractive to both mums and dads, the former for its space and versatility, the latter for its ability to offer lots of fun when the family isn't looking.
Although not as big inside as its potential competition, the Altea scores in having a less van-like look - it's more like a tall fast-back estate than an MPV.
The Altea?s front features a bold radiator grille, bonnet and headlamp design, while the SEAT Dynamic Line is clearly visible from the side - in fact it's most pronounced on the Altea than on any other SEAT.
Again there are four models in the range.
The 110 kW Altea 2.0 FSI manual at R216 400
The Altea 2.0 FSI with tiptronic automatic gearbox at R227 900
The turbo-diesel 16-valve 103 kW Altea 2.0 TDI manual at R236 000
The Altea 2.0 TDI with dual-clutch DSG auto/manual gearbox at R249 500
On the road
Just to get SEAT's naming into perspective, here's how it goes.
First you have the standard models, with normally-aspirated engines.
Then you have the FR models, with more power, better handling, and overtly sporty styling. FR stands for "Formula Racing".
And then on top the Cupra models - Cupra meaning cup, or trophy - with even more GO, wilder styling, and bigger wheels.
As mentioned, we were the first in the world to drive the new Leon FR.
This has the same power train as the VW Golf GTI, but in a styling package that I, frankly, found more refreshing, more appealing, and much sportier than the VW product.
Although it comes to market at a lower price than the GTI - while other Spanish SEAT models carry a 3% price premium over their German equivalents - the Leon FR doesn't get leather upholstery as its fancy figure-hugging seats weren't designed to use cow skin.
The FR is differentiated from other Leon models by its wild front and rear end styling, the former with a huge "downturned snarl" under-bumper air intake, the latter with a make-believe air splitter.
It has big wheels, and a really funky interior, black tricked out in red, big fat leather-rimmed steering wheel, great instruments, plus those sporty seats.
On the road, well it's a WOW.
Lots of power
That 147 kW of power comes in from really low down, and blasts the car onto to a top speed of 240 Km/h.
And believe me, it's easily do-able, without the need for a long run-up that often accompanies top speed claims.
The engine's impressive torque comes in from really low down in a massive surge of energy, with peak torque of 280 Nm available between 1 800 and 5 000 r/min.
The 0-100 Km/h sprint takes just 7.2 seconds, and the car can accelerate from 80 Km/h to 120 Km/h in fifth gear in just 7.5 seconds and in 9.6 seconds in sixth.
SEAT claims average fuel consumption of 8.1 litres/100 km.
However, it's when one comes to corners that this car really comes into its own.
The SEAT team had chosen a circular route outside Oudtshoorn, in the Eastern Cape, for the launch of the cars, and this gave a great mix of fast straights, long sweeping power bends, and tight stuff, more than enough to get the mettle of these Spanish flyers.
With one of the best front-drive sedan chassis in the world, the FR grips like the proverbial, and without any trace of understeer.
You can take it right to the edge safe in the knowledge that the electronic stability control is keeping a watching brief - without interfering unless you need it.
Smooth gearbox
The 6-speed manual gearbox is super-smooth and ratios are totally right to get the best out of that flat and lusty torque band.
The steering in particular - as with all the SEAT models we drove - is extremely positive, with crisp turn-in ensuring where you point is where you go.
The nett result is that you can carry your speed deep into the corners without worrying about whistling off into the scenery, and at no time did I feel close to over-cooking things.
All this comes courtesy of an electrical power steering (EPS) system, which matches assistance to speed and steering wheel angle.
Although I didn't encounter this - we only drove on tar - the Leon also gets Driver Steering Recommendation (DSR).
When the ESP detects oversteer, DSR instructs the system's electric motor to 'turn' the steering wheel in the opposite, i.e. the correct, direction.
The driver senses this as a recommendation and is prompted to turn the wheel in that direction to re-stabilise the car.
Naturally the car comes with ABS brakes with massive ventilated discs at the front and solid ones at the back, and these haul the car quickly down from quite indecent speeds in a hurry.
Features:
Steering wheel adjustable for height and reach, with thumbtip controls for audio and phone.
60:40 split folding rear seat with ISOFIX child seat anchorages.
341 litres/1 166 litres of luggage space.
ESP with electronic differential lock (EDL) and emergency brake assistance (EBA).
Traction control system (TCS) with wheel-slip regulation (ASR).
Sporty exhaust note.
Invisible rear door handles.
Polycarbonate headlamps and rear light clusters.
Bluetooth phone system.
Headlamp sensor.
Rain sensor.
Tyre-pressure monitor
Eight airbags
And on top of that you get climate controlled aircon, electric windows and mirrors, front-loader CD/radio sound system, and remote door opening with immobiliser.
We also drove other Leon models, and although not as quick as the FR, they all showed the same levels of sophistication.
A Feature of all the Leons is that the wipers park against the windscreen pillars - where they are hiddeen from the driver's view - which is an aid to airflow.
I particularly liked the 2.0 TDI with the DSG gearbox.
This dual-clutch manual/auto 'box really suits the turbo-diesel's characteristics, and it comes into its own in this application.
The Ibiza
I really only want to talk about the 3-door 1.8T Cupra version.
The most exciting (and most expensive) car in the Ibiza range, this one is going to appeal to anyone who has even the vaguest element of sportiness in his or her soul, to everybody who ever wanted to be a race or rally driver, but wasn't - and maybe even a few who were!
Short description - it's a jolly little roller skate designed to give you fun, fun and more fun!
With the 132 kW1.8-litre turbo-charged petrol engine from the previous generation Golf GTI I can tell you this one is no slouch, and although it won't overtake the Leon FR in overall performance, it's never far behind.
In fact out of the blocks it's only marginally slower, with a time of 7.3 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, in-gear acceleration from 60 to 120 km/h of 7.3 seconds in fourth, and top speed of 230 km/h.
It is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, as are the like the other petrol engined version - the TDIs get 6-speeds.
However, where it differs from the Leon is that this one FEELS like an out-and-out racer.
Stiff suspension
It has stiff suspension, extra-precise steering, and without the benefit of ESP (although it does get ABS and traction control) gives a much "purer" drive for those who want to feel every nuance of the car.
It's got powerful brakes, great (wild) styling, and it will definitely make grown men cry?with pleasure.
The TDI versions are hardly less exciting, with 118 kW of lusty diesel thrust, but naturally they don't offer quite such a wild ride.
Sporty driving is about high revving as well as high performance, and you just don't get the right sound and feel from a diesel, although the TDIs perform almost as well as the 1.8T - and with much better fuel economy.
Features:
Aircon
Front-loader CD/radio
Electric windows and mirrors
Remote central locking
Sporty interiors
Twin front airbags.
Side airbags.
ABS brakes.
TCS traction control.
EBA emergency braking
The Alteas
I only got to drive the 2-litre turbo-diesel, and I found this ideally suited to this sporting "mom's taxi".
With bags of low-down torque it will pull a full load with ease, and, as I said, it also has the necessary sporting characteristics in the chassis to keep Dad happy.
I LOVE the styling.
SEAT has shown MPVs don't have to be fuddy-duddy, and I'm sure this one will change the thinking of many a family man who has been fighting shy of making the transition from his over-filled hot hatch into something more roomy and versatile.
The A5 chassis, as we have said so many times before, is a model of motoring sophistication, and in this application adds super ride quality into the equation.
That said, it hasn't got "soft" in the process, and I was able to hurry it along with alacrity, just as Dad would when on his own in the car?
Features:
ABS, TCS and ESP with a built-in emergency braking system (EBA).
Six airbags
ISOFIX child seat system
Three-spoke steering wheel
Optional multi-function controls for audio and telephone
Height and reach adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support
More than 30 storage places
Two-tiered boot floor
409 litres/1 320 litres luggage space with split/fold rear seta
Windscreen wiper arms concealed vertically within the screen?s A-pillars (this also on Leon)
Intelligent electro-mechanical steering
Plus aircon, electric windows and mirrors, front loader CD/radio, and remote central locking with immobiliser.
All SEATs come with a 5 year/90 000 km service plan, 3 year/120 000 km warranty, 12 year anti-corrosion guarantee, and 24 hours roadside assistance.
Summary:
Wow, what a bold lineup!
When I first heard about VWSA's plans (and especially its positioning) for the SEAT brand in SA I was a bit startled, but now I understand it.
In Europe SEAT's appeal is mainly because it offers VW features and quality at Spanish (generally lower) prices.
However the models as presented in SA are different - they are all top-of-the-range, with more features than their VW counterparts, and definitely a lot more sporting appeal.
I believe they will make their mark on the market - but at the same time I think Mike Glendinning is smoking his socks if he thinks people won't change from dull old-looking Golfs and Polos into trendy, funky, SEATs.
I would!
Posted by: www.SouthAfrica-CarHire.com
