C-Class gets a host of revisions in advance of an all new model.

Mercedes-Benz UK has announced a range of C-Class enhancements, including a new model line, new option packages and simplified product offer, representing exceptional price and value.

The new AMG Sport Edition replaces the AMG Sport and AMG Sport Plus model lines and now applicable to all Saloon, Estate and Coupé variants.

The AMG Sport Edition retains the AMG bodystyling, steering wheel, alloy wheels and 15 mm lower sports suspension from the outgoing AMG Sport model, but gains an AMG boot lid spoiler (Saloon and Coupé), dark-tinted headlamps and high-gloss black grille to enhance visual appeal.

Inside, the new trim line benefits from AMG Sport Plus seats upholstered in black Artico and Dinamica with blue/grey contrast stitching and split folding rear seats in the Saloon (already standard in Estate and Coupé). In addition to the dark brushed aluminium trim, the gear shift gaiter also now has grey contrast stitching, as does the Dinamica-covered door panel trim.

When the AMG Sport Edition is fitted with the optional 18-inch seven-spoke AMG alloy wheels (£300 including VAT), it represents a 50 per cent saving versus the outgoing AMG Sport Plus model, which was priced at £3,000 over the Executive SE model line – the new AMG Sport Edition is just a £1,500 price walk.

In addition, there are two optional packages. The first is the Premium Package (£1,595 including VAT), which includes COMAND Online with Media Interface, reversing camera, heated front seats, Lighting Package and DAB digital radio.

The Premium Plus Package (£2,495 including VAT), offers up to a 45 per cent saving on individual options and features the same content as the Premium pack, with the added benefit of a panoramic glass sunroof.

The engine and line combinations for C-Class were made-up of a total of 47 variants, including seven engines and three model lines. The new 2014 enhancements mean that this has now been reduced to just 19, consisting of two trims and four engines.

The new AMG Sport Edition is available on C 220 CDI and C 250 CDI engines from £30,170 OTR for Saloon, £31,370 OTR for Estate and £32,455 OTR for Coupé.

SEAT announces worldwide increases to better 2012 by 10.6%

• Following stunning result for SEAT UK, SEAT S.A. announces 10.6% global sales increase for 2013
• 355,000 vehicles delivered is SEAT’s highest for five years
• SEAT is one of the fastest growing brands in Europe
• Double digit increases for Leon (44%) and Mii (43%)

SEAT sales jumped up by 10.6% in 2013, as the Spanish brand delivered 355,000 vehicles worldwide – its highest number for five years, and 34,000 more than 2012’s figure.

In its main area of Western Europe, SEAT’s 9.4% increase puts it among the fastest growing brands in Europe, despite operating in a sector that’s contracted overall. SEAT sold 273,200 vehicles in Western Europe in 2013, 23,500 more than in 2012.

SEAT Chairman Jürgen Stackmann underscores that “the company is having sales momentum, particularly in Europe, where SEAT is growing faster than the competition in a contracting market.”

European success

In its biggest market, Germany, SEAT delivered 76,600 vehicles, a 20.3% increase over the previous year. SEAT was the fastest-growing brand in Germany, and has placed itself amongst the top ten selling brands. In Spain, SEAT returned to positive performance figures and increased sales by 6.0% (58,900 cars), above the market average. In the United Kingdom, its third-largest market, the Spanish brand enjoyed its fifth successive year of growth (16.8%), with more than 45,300 sales the highest that SEAT UK has ever achieved in a year.

SEAT also closed 2013 with record sales in other markets like Switzerland (8,300 units; up 5.2%) and Denmark (6,300; up 37.6%), alongside other European markets.

The key to SEAT’s positive performance in Europe is the Leon, of which more than 102,000 units have been sold worldwide, a 44.4% increase. The new five-door Leon is the best-selling SEAT model in many countries (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Turkey, among others). SEAT Sales and Marketing Vice President Dr. Andreas Offermann asserts that “full availability of the Leon family should sustain growth in 2014.”

Growth in North Africa, Middle East and Mexico

SEAT also seized opportunities outside Europe; thanks to 13.0% growth, almost one of every five vehicles SEAT built in 2013 was sold outside of Europe (64,600 units). So, for the first time, SEAT has three non-European countries amongst its top ten: Mexico (5th), Algeria (6th) and Turkey (8th).

In Algeria, where SEAT already quadrupled its sales in 2012, it continued to grow last year, by 26.9%, and concluded 2013 with 20,500 units sold. The big novelty for 2013 was Turkey, where sales almost doubled (90.4%) with the brand marketing 11,100 units. SEAT ended 2013 with the highest sales figures in its history for both these countries. In Mexico SEAT grew for the fourth successive year (0.4%), sales totalling 21,200 units.

“In 2014, in spite of the still-persisting difficulties in the economic environment, we intend to continue working hard to make constant progress. We have a fantastic product range which will continue to grow around the Leon family, the heart of the SEAT brand,”declares Chairman Jürgen Stackmann.

Deliveries to customers in 2013 (by models, in units and percentage annual growth)

SEAT Mii (28,900; +43.2%)
SEAT Ibiza (154,100; -7.7%)
SEAT Toledo (19,000; launched in November 2012)
SEAT Leon (102,800; +44.4%)
SEAT Altea (23,700; -19.7%)
SEAT Alhambra (20,000; +4.0%)
SEAT Exeo (6,500; production discontinued in July 2013)

Peugeot get it right, AGAIN, with stunning new 308 SW

• Style with substance – the New 308 SW has the capability to enhance expectations
• New Euro 6 engines place the SW’s performance at the leading-edge of the segment
• The PEUGEOT brand continues its upmarket strategy

As the New 308 hatchback goes on sale in the UK, PEUGEOT expands its medium-car range with a new silhouette. Like the hatchback, the new Peugeot 308 SW has been completely redesigned, bringing with it class-leading levels of competitiveness.

PEUGEOT designers have styled a capacious and dynamic estate car with an attractive stance that is sleek and sporty (length 4.58m and height 1.47m). Its generous dimensions comfortably exceed the expectations and requirements of customers in this sector, providing ample volume, roominess, versatility and practicality.

With a volume of 610dm3 (VDA 210 standard), the boot capacity of the new PEUGEOT 308 SW is class-leading for the segment. With stylish and clean lines, it provides a very practical and clutter-free purpose-designed space. Its modularity is achieved with unparalleled simplicity (seats are folded with a single action from inside the boot) and effectiveness (perfectly flat floor). Its quality finish is worthy of the next category up.

Like the hatchback, the New Peugeot 308 SW benefits from utilising the ‘Efficient Modular Platform’ (EMP2), optimising weight-savings and providing enhanced dynamic efficiency. In total, the new PEUGEOT 308 SW is 140kg lighter than its predecessor and this greatly enhances the overall driving experience and places it strongly against other competitor estate cars.

Available at launch, the Euro 6 petrol and diesel engines guarantee outstanding performance. A new BlueHDi version emits just 85g/km of CO2, setting a new benchmark in the segment.

Inside, the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit is modern, sleek and innovative, providing its driver and passengers with a clean and clear interior environment with new driving sensations.

Built with high quality materials and to exacting build standards the new PEUGEOT 308 SW features a high level of attention-to-detail, with the specific aim of placing the car among the best, confirming the Marque’s movement upmarket.

Produced in Sochaux, France, the New PEUGEOT 308 SW will be equipped with powertrain units from the Trémery and Douvrin sites.

The New PEUGEOT 308 SW has its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014, and will go on sale across Europe in the Spring.

VW realigns Passat range with new models all with added equipment

Volkswagen is adding even more luxury and style to the best-selling Passat range, with the introduction of two new trim levels: Executive and Executive Style.

The Executive sits above the entry level S and BlueMotion models in the Passat range, and comes with a comprehensive standard specification.

On the outside, new 17-inch ‘Michigan’ alloy wheels (a full-size alloy spare is also included) are complemented by exterior chrome trim, along with matt black roof rails on the Estate.

Inside, the S’s standard DAB radio, MDI multi-device interface with USB and iPhone cables and Bluetooth connectivity are added to with Volkswagen’s RNS 315 touchscreen satellite navigation system. The leather-trimmed multifunction wheel and gear lever are enhanced by Vienna leather upholstery, including heated front seats, and electric adjustment for the driver’s seat.

Standard 2Zone climate control helps to keep the cabin at the perfect temperature for both driver and front passenger, while automatic lights and wipers ensure vision is optimised at all times, as does the auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror.  Cruise control is also fitted, along with front and rear parking sensors, with both audible output and optical display.

In total, the Passat Executive comes with over £1,700-worth of equipment versus the Highline model that it replaces, for a premium of just £200, meaning on the road prices start from £20,235.

The Executive Style builds on the Executive, but as the name suggests, it comes with a more distinctive look.  Hunkered down on 15 mm lower sports suspension, the Executive Style comes with 18-inch ‘Kansas’ alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, front fog lights, and tinted rear glass together worth more than £2,000 for just £995 over the Executive.

The Executive and Executive Style trims are available to order from 2 January 2014, when they replace the Highline, Sport and R-Line trims in the line-up.

 

7th generation Golf hits half million sales already.

The Golf’s success story enters the seventh generation as the car continues to inspire both customers and the specialist media. The Golf has been honoured with two dozen prestigious awards over the last twelve months. It was voted European “Car of the Year” and crowned “World Car of the Year 2013”. The new Golf also recently beat the competition in Japan, becoming the first imported car in the 34-year history of the country’s top award to claim the accolade and be named “Car of the Year 2013/2014 Japan” with a score that was streaks ahead of the field. Other awards include the “Golden Steering Wheel 2013”, the “Auto Trophy”, “Auto der Vernunft” (Car of Reason) and “Best cars of 2013”. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, commented: “The Golf will remain the most important model and a powerful engine for the Volkswagen brand.”

The 500,000th latest-generation Golf will be delivered in a few days’ time just one year after the car was launched. And the bestseller has yet to make its debut in key countries such as China and the United States. Moreover, important derivatives in the Golf family are waiting in the wings: The new Golf Estate has just arrived in showrooms and will be followed next year by the Golf Sportsvan which Volkswagen premiered at the IAA in Frankfurt. There will also be innovative versions such as the e-Golf and the Golf Plug-in Hybrid. “We are delighted the Golf has got off to such a brilliant start and is enjoying such a positive reception from customers. That is first and foremost due to a committed team. Our people very definitely went the extra mile for the Golf and have done a great job,” Winterkorn added.

For years now, the Golf has been the best-selling car in Europe, enjoying this status in several individual countries and taking pole position, for example, in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Croatia, Luxemburg, Norway, Austria, Switzerland and, of course, its home market of Germany.

The first generation of the Volkswagen Golf went on display at dealers in May 1974 as the successor to the legendary Beetle and has continued its predecessor’s success story for almost 40 years. The Golf has lent its name to an entire vehicle class and has always been available in a range of variants. From the ultra-economical Golf TDI BlueMotion to the sporty GTI, from the three-door model to the estate version, Volkswagen has a Golf to suit every taste and need. That has convinced customers: Volkswagen celebrated the 30 millionth Golf in June 2013.

2014 BTCC Honda copies 90's Volvo by having an Estate as their new car

Honda Yuasa Racing will be back in the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with the same championship-winning team and driver line-up, but this time with an eye-catching all new Honda.

Next March will see the track debut of the new Civic Tourer race car – the only estate car on the BTCC grid - with Honda Yuasa Racing drivers Matt Neal and Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden in the hunt for yet more titles. The team have their sights set firmly on a clean sweep of titles after the Honda Civics secured both the teams’ and manufacturers’ crowns for the fourth year in a row with Matt and Flash narrowly missing out on the drivers’ crown in the 2013 season.

Gordon Shedden said: “2013 was an incredibly competitive season in the BTCC with the championship battle going right down to the wire! Of course it was disappointing not to retain the drivers title but we’re looking forward to what I’m sure will be a strong year for the team in 2014 - and more excitingly, with a new car. It might be a Tourer, but it’s still a Civic, the car that has won every championship in BTCC for the last three seasons. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of next season, and to seeing what the Tourer can do on race day.”

Matt Neal added: “We’re all confident that the car can continue the long-standing success of the Civic in the championship and very much looking forward to putting it through its paces. Although we’re racing a new model, the inherent advantages of the Civic hatchback from the past two years remain so there’s no reason why this car can’t be a winner straight out of the box! We’ll be testing the car early in the new year and I can’t wait to see it on track.”

Peter Crolla, Team Manager commented: “Racing with the Civic Tourer means no compromise over the Civic hatchback. The weight, wheelbase, layout and suspension remain the same, but naturally, the length of the car is extended due to the larger tailgate. After two competitive seasons in the BTCC with the hatchback, it will be an interesting challenge to ensure the Tourer keeps Matt, Flash and the team at the head of the championships throughout next season. We’ve worked hard over the past few months to develop the first car which will be completed as we head towards the new year, with the first run scheduled for early January.”

Phil Crossman, Managing Director, Honda (UK) concluded: “We wanted to add a new challenge to the mix and really show what Honda and the team can do. By racing the new Tourer after several years with the Civic hatchback we can really showcase our growing range and demonstrate that the versatility and practicality of a Tourer doesn’t compromise dynamic performance. We are only four months away from the start of the 2014 season and I can’t wait to see the cars out on the track. They’re going to look great and there’s no doubt in my mind that they will win races.”

Testing of the new model commences in January ahead of its race debut at Brands Hatch for the first round of the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on 29/30 March.

You can follow the Honda Yuasa Racing Team’s exploits on Facebook and Twitter www.facebook.com/HondaYuasaRacing and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc.

Designed and developed in Europe, the British-built Civic Tourer delivers distinctive styling, class-leading utility, advanced technology and an impressive balance between fuel economy and performance. Available to order from the beginning of December and arriving in dealerships in February 2014, prices start at £20,265 OTR for the entry level 1.8 i-VTEC S model.

Halewood celebrates breaking the ONE MILLION production milestone.

• 1,000,000 vehicles built at Halewood since 2001 including, Jaguar X-Type, Land Rover Freelander 2 and Range Rover Evoque.
• Milestone vehicle will be a unique Range Rover Evoque, donated to Cancer Research UK.
• A record breaking 220,000 Range Rover Evoques built in just 24 months brings 1m milestone to Halewood ahead of original forecast schedule.

Jaguar Land Rover is celebrating the production of the 1,000,000^th Jaguar Land Rover vehicle at its Halewood advanced manufacturing facility, near Liverpool, today (25^th November 2013).

The 1,000,000 vehicle is a unique Range Rover Evoque, painted in a special one-off colour combination and will be donated to Cancer Research UK. The vehicle is a Fuji-White, Dynamic with ebony-black alloy wheels and distinctive and unique Firenze-Red contrast roof, matching Firenze-Red mirror scalps and red/black sports seats and interior door panels.

Global demand for Range Rover Evoque has exceeded expectations with 18,000 advanced orders before job 1 on 4 July 2011. With continued demand for Evoque and growing sales of Land Rover Freelander 2, this production milestone was achieved earlier than predicted. Production volume at Halewood has increased significantly over the past 12 months due to 24 hour working, bringing the arrival of the 1,000,000 vehicle ahead of original forecasts.

Between 2001 and 2009, 363,603 Jaguar X-Type and X-Type Estates were manufactured at Halewood. The Jaguar X-Type was Jaguar's best-selling model during much of its production run and was Jaguar's first compact executive car for 50 years. In 2002, the Jaguar X-Type Diesel 2.0 was launched and made history for the company as Jaguar’s first ever diesel model. Also in 2002 the Jaguar X-Type Estate was launched, again making history as Jaguar’s first ever estate vehicle.

In 2003 the X-Type achieved best in class Paint Appearance in the JD Power US survey, a hotly contended and sought after prize, which was retained in 2004 and again in 2006. In 2005 Halewood celebrated another significant manufacturing award, this time with the JD Power European Gold Plant Award in Recognition of X-Type’s excellent quality. In 2006 the 2.2 Diesel was launched and in December 2009 the last Jaguar X-Type drove off the line at Halewood.

In 2005 manufacturing preparation works commenced, following significant investment by Land Rover, for the production of the all new Land Rover Freelander 2. On 25 October 2006 the Land Rover Freelander 2 Job 1 drove off the production line and was welcomed into the world by Premier League footballers from Liverpool Football Club. In May 2012 Halewood celebrated the 300,000 production milestone. The global demand for Freelander 2 continues today and it has been one of Land Rover's most popular models with 381,211 being manufactured to date.

In July 2011 Halewood, and the world, welcomed the arrival of the Range Rover Evoque. The smallest, most efficient production Range Rover ever made. When the Evoque started life it had already generated an exceptional market response with more than 18,000 advance orders from customers worldwide. Waiting lists for the car peaked at 12 months for some markets during the second half of 2011. As a result of this demand, Halewood Operations moved to 24 hour production for the first time in its 50 year history. The Evoque has received over 130 global awards and is the biggest selling Jaguar Land Rover vehicle, breaking Jaguar Land Rover production volume records in both of its first two years of production. Halewood has manufactured 255,186 to date.

Richard Else, Operations Director, Halewood, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating this huge milestone for Halewood. This unique Evoque looks stunning and is a one-off vehicle that will raise money for Cancer Research UK projects here in the North West.”

“Over the past few years many of the families of my growing team have been impacted by various forms of cancer. This milestone vehicle, built with pride at Halewood, will help raise much needed funds to help eradicate this dreadful disease.” 

The 1,000,000^th vehicle will be donated to Cancer Research UK, who will take ownership of the vehicle later in the year. The CRUK team will be placing the car in a special auction event in 2014. Details of the event will be revealed in the new year and funds raised from the vehicle will then be spent on CRUK projects in the North West of England.

Cancer Research UK funds world-class research and clinical trials throughout the North West and last year spent nearly £21 million supporting the work of doctors, nurses and scientists at hospitals and major universities in the region. Every hour more than four people in the North West are diagnosed with cancer.

Head of Volunteer Fundraising at Cancer Research UK, Simon O’Leary, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Jaguar Land Rover for thinking of us and making such a generous gift. Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research, so every step we make towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated. The money raised by the auction of the car will make a real difference in the fight against cancer.”

Skoda smashes 2012 full year sales with two months to go !

• 2013 year-to-date sales up 19% compared to the UK market, which has increased 10%
• Success means 2012’s total already passed
• 5,641 new ŠKODA registrations during October – up 18.5% on October last year

ŠKODA UK and its retailers are celebrating a record 2013. With 5,641 vehicle registrations during October, it takes the year-to-date (YTD) total to 55,217 – and passes last year’s benchmark of 53,200.

ŠKODA UK’s growth is also outperforming the UK automotive market. Bouncing back after the recession of 2008, the market has expanded by 10% YTD, but the Czech company is up 19%.

Furthermore, ŠKODA UK’s market share is up in October at 3.6% – and 2.8% YTD. The brand’s previous best, in 2012, was 2.6% YTD.

Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK, was thrilled with the news and commented: “With our fresh new design language and expanded model line-up, ŠKODA cars are delivering exactly what our customers want – high quality and reliable motoring at value-for-money prices.”

October’s new car registrations figure of 5,641 is almost 900 units higher than the same month last year. Fleet customers choosing desirable models such as the ŠKODA Superb, new Octavia and Rapid played their part, with corporate registrations up from 1,716 last October to 2,400 this October.

USA - Subaru smashed 2012 full year sales with two months to go

• October sales increased 32 percent over last October
• Year-to-date sales are 347,890, up 28 percent over 2012

Subaru of America, Inc. reported that the company has surpassed its previous annual sales record with two months of reporting remaining for the year. Subaru sold 34,483 vehicles in October and 347,890 total vehicles in 2013. The previous record for annual sales was set in 2012 with 336,441 vehicles sold. This new record means that 2013 will be the fifth consecutive year of sales records for Subaru of America and the sixth consecutive year of sales increases. Subaru is the only manufacturer to increase sales each year for the last six years.

October sales for Forester increased 137 percent, reaching 12,581 vehicles sold. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2014 Forester a 2013 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Forester was also named Motor Trend 2014 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year – a second win for Forester and a third win for the Subaru brand.

“We have incredibly hardworking retailers who have made these results possible; and we have the right product for consumers,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “2013 will be another very successful year for Subaru and we look forward to sales of the XV Crosstrek Hybrid – Subaru’s first-ever hybrid vehicle – in December.”

“We have seen record numbers of consumers shopping the Subaru brand and we have seen wonderful acceptance across our line-up. Consumers are not just shopping a single model – there has been demand for Outback, Forester, XV Crosstrek, Impreza as well as our performance models WRX and STI,” said Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “Almost 60 percent of our sales this year have been to customers new to the brand and we have worked closely with our parent company to smartly manage our inventory to meet the demand,” added Cyphers.

Latest Leon from SEAT to be the most eco friendly ever

• SEAT Leon Ecomotive is the company’s most extreme environmental performer ever
• Order books now open in the UK for the 87 g/km, 85.6 mpg diesel-sipper
• Priced from £19,360 RRP OTR, with first UK deliveries during January 2014
• Big specification includes alloy wheels, air conditioning and a unique Ecomotive aero pack
• Eligible for SEAT’s Q4 free Technology Pack offer and 4.9% APR PCP finance 

SEAT this month opened the order books on the most extreme production Leon ever – extreme in the environmental efficiency sense. The SEAT Leon Ecomotive is, with a CO2 rating of just 87 g/km, the most CO2-averse conventionally-powered car that SEAT has ever produced.

Launched officially at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show alongside the new Leon ST estate, the Leon Ecomotive is available in all three body styles (SC, five-door and ST) and is priced from just £19,360 RRP OTR.

That outlay buys a three-door Leon SC Ecomotive, but all three versions return the same incredible 85.6 mpg combined fuel consumption. The 87 g/km CO2 figure puts the car into VED Band A, so the tax disc costs exactly nothing per year.

The car’s CO2 emissions figure is a full 12 g/km lower than that of the outgoing, second-generation Leon Ecomotive, despite being more powerful. This is accomplished most notably via a 90 kg weight reduction and a 10% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency.

Power comes from a 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox whose ratios are spaced for optimum efficiency; the transmission is a fundamental difference between the Leon Ecomotive and the standard Leon 1.6 TDI, which itself emits a very modest 99 g/km, equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Other changes over the standard Leon 1.6 TDI include a higher engine output, up from 105 PS to 110 PS, and the fitment of low rolling resistance tyres. To improve aerodynamic performance there’s a body package comprising rear and side spoilers, and the suspension is lowered by 15 mm, while the radiator grille is unique to the Ecomotive. These changes help the Leon Ecomotive travel 11.3 miles further per gallon of fuel than the standard Leon 1.6 TDI, according to their respective combined consumption ratings.

As with every other model in the Leon range, the Leon Ecomotive comes with an Energy Recovery System and a Start/Stop System, the former to capture and store brake energy otherwise lost as heat, which can be used to power electrical systems, and the latter to shut down the engine when the car is at a standstill, preserving fuel.

The Leon Ecomotive doesn’t scrimp on equipment like it does on fuel, thankfully, coming as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, cruise control, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, air conditioning, electric windows all around (aside from SC versions), Bluetooth hands-free phone system, SEAT Easy Connect multimedia system, and a front armrest/storage box; the Leon Ecomotive is based on SE specification.

And until at least the end of 2013, the Leon Ecomotive is eligible for SEAT’s free Technology Pack offer, which endows the car with cutting edge full-LED headlights (including their distinctive strip-LED daytime running lights), satellite navigation and a DAB radio – so every medium-wave radio talk show rant can be enjoyed in crystal clear digital quality.

Steve Mirfin, SEAT UK’s Leon Product Manager, says: “This Leon Ecomotive really moves the game forward for us. Not only is it a lot more efficient than the outgoing car, it’s one of the most efficient medium-sized cars on the market and offers outstanding fuel economy.

“We benchmarked the car against the most popular models in the segment to make sure we’re right at the cutting edge on real-world fuel economy, but also on value, performance and quality. And with the Ecomotive available in all three Leon body styles, its appeal extends to a huge customer base – not least the fleet market, where practicality and running costs are paramount.”

First deliveries of the Leon Ecomotive begin January 2014, priced at £19,360 for the SC, £19,660 for the five-door and £20,485 for the ST.

2015 Mercedes C-Class interiors, a vast improvement in quality.

All information presented below pertains to the European spec version of the MY2015 C-Class sedan, which goes on sale in the USA in Fall 2014 and will be built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

In addition to the significant interior design language, it is also significant to note that all of the available passive and active safety technology from the S-Class and E-Class will be available on the all-new 2015 C-Class at the time of its launch in Fall 2014.

More details to follow over the coming months regarding engines, trim levels, pricing and packaging for the US market.

Mercedes-Benz is writing the next chapter of success with the all-new C-Class. An interior with an exciting, high-class ambience, touchpad and head-up display, the lightest bodyshell in the segment, extensive safety features, a new agile and comfortable suspension as well as GPS-sensitive air conditioning underscore the inner values of the new C-Class. Overall, its innovations and refined equipment and appointments feel like an upgrade to a higher class.

The interior design of the future C-Class comes across as clear, sensual and with a host of new unusual styling features. At the same time it exudes sportiness - but with sensual shapes and high-grade materials, thus epitomising contemporary luxury. It also meets the kind of high design expectations that now tend to be synonymous with technology such as high-end smartphones.

The most prominent new styling features include a completely reinterpreted centre console, whose progressive lines create an inviting, open sense of space, as well as a free-standing central display. High-grade materials, as well as an enthralling interplay of organic surfaces and precisely sculpted lines underscore these new aesthetics and its stylish character.

The innovative touchpad developed by Mercedes-Benz in the new C-Class also marks an important evolutionary step. As on a smartphone, all the head-unit functions can easily be operated using finger gestures. The user also receives clear, haptic feedback when operating the touchpad control surface.

Additional to the information in the central display a head-up display is also new in the C-Class. Like in a jet fighter it projects important information as a virtual image directly into the driver's field of vision. It appears to float over the bonnet, around two metres in front of the driver, thus ensuring the driver is distracted less from the road ahead. The system provides information on speed, speed limits, navigation instructions and messages from DISTRONIC PLUS. It features a high-resolution virtual image which the driver can adjust to their preferred settings.

Intelligent lightweight construction

Less weight, excellent rigidity for superb driving handling coupled with optimum noise and vibration characteristics as well as high crash safety - those are the outstanding characteristics of the new C-Class with its aluminium hybrid body, which makes it the "lightweight construction trailblazer" in its segment. Thanks to intelligent and innovative lightweight construction, the body and bodyshell are around 70 kg (154 lbs) lighter than conventional production using steel. The entire vehicle is around 100 kilograms (221 lbs) lighter compared with the predecessor. This weight saving significantly reduces fuel consumption to set the new standard in this segment.

Mercedes-Benz has pulled off this technological leap primarily through an entirely new design and the extensive usage of aluminium, hot-formed steel parts and ultra-high-strength steels - an unusual combination in volume production vehicles. The engineers have redesigned every detail and not simply replaced steel with aluminium, but implemented a concept that is ready for series production by using the right material in the right place - the essence of intelligent lightweight construction.

At the same time the body and bodyshell have been designed to deliver exemplary crash safety. The Saloon not only meets all current national safety ratings, but also the more stringent Mercedes-Benz requirements according to "Best Real Life Safety". A high-strength safety passenger compartment made predominantly out of high- and ultra-high-strength sheet steel and specifically developed deformation zones with optimised force dissipation paths in the front end and rear made out of an aluminium hybrid structure and an exterior skin that is made virtually entirely of aluminium allow these requirements to be met.

Suspension - agile and yet comfortable

The new C-Class comes across as light-footed and agile, delivering a high level of driving pleasure on winding roads coupled with superb ride comfort in its segment. A newly designed 4-link front axle, which provides excellent axle kinematics, makes a major contribution in this respect.

The new C-Class Saloon is fitted as standard with a steel suspension. Alternatively, it is the first vehicle in this segment that can be fitted with an air suspension (AIRMATIC) on the front and rear axles. Thanks to electronically controlled, continuous variable damping, it offers outstanding road roar and tyre vibration characteristics and the choice of different damper characteristics.

New safety features and assistance systems

The sensor for the new front passenger airbag in the future C-Class can detect every child seat installed. Then the airbag is automatically deactivated. After removing the child seat the airbag is activated again. The new C-Class also incorporates many of the new assistance systems or existing assistance systems with a range of enhanced functions, which celebrated their world premiere in the S-Class only a few months ago: Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive.

Feel-good atmosphere

The new C-Class is the only vehicle in the segment to offer an air condition system including automatic air recirculation with tunnel detection using satellite navigation. The AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrancing and ionisation, which celebrated its world premiere in the S-Class, also adds to the feel-good atmosphere.

The new BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo estate, the fastest production diesel around.

New BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo combines astonishing performance (173 mph, 0-62 in 4.6 seconds) with finely-honed bespoke engineering, 53 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 139 g/km

 An astonishing new generation of ultra-high-performance diesel saloons and estates has been launched by ALPINA, one of the world’s most highly-regarded manufacturers of bespoke luxury cars. With 350 hp and a remarkable 700 Nm of torque, the new D3 Bi-Turbo will catapult its occupants from zero to 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds and on to 173 mph, yet has combined cycle fuel economy of 53.2 mpg and CO₂emissions of just 139 g/km.

“What makes these figures even more remarkable is that the D3 Bi-Turbo is also a luxury car that delivers its world-beating performance alongside uncompromising comfort and refinement,” comments Matthew Stripling, Sales Manager at ALPINA GB. “The new six cylinder D3 has a wonderful bespoke feel that touches all the senses to make every journey a pleasure, whether commuting to work or powering through the mountains.”

Based on BMW’s latest generation 3-Series, the D3 Bi-Turbo is the result of a two year development programme during which every aspect of the vehicle was analysed and refined to increase performance, comfort and style. Using design and validation processes identical to those implemented by BMW, ALPINA’s team of 50 development engineers worked with specialist suppliers to enhance the engine, gearbox, cooling system, body structure, wheels, tyres, aerodynamics, suspension and interior.

Bespoke Luxury
The BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo is available in the UK as a Saloon for £46,950 or as a Touring (estate) for £49,950, with a long list of standard equipment that includes an eight-speed automatic gearbox, Adaptive M Sport Suspension, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable heated sports seats, climate control and Bi-Xenon headlights. Inside, there are luxury carpet overmats and subtle ALPINA logos on the seat backs and door sills. The instruments are in ALPINA Blue and the steering wheel is covered in finest-quality, hand-stitched Lavalina leather.

Outside, the new D3 Bi-Turbo receives subtle aerodynamic enhancements developed in BMW’s wind tunnel, a four outlet exhaust with an ‘intelligent’ acoustic valve, and 19” ALPINA alloy wheels in the company’s famous Classic design. Every car is finished with a model plaque displayed on the centre console, showing the car’s unique build number.

In addition to being available with all BMW options including those from BMW Individual, the D3 Bi-Turbo can receive almost limitless personalisation from ALPINA’s craftsmen. Alongside the famous ALPINA Blue and ALPINA Green signature paintwork, choices include hand-stitched full leather interiors of superb quality and a wide range of hand-finished woods for the dashboard and doors.

Tax-efficient Performance for Business Users
The D3 Bi-Turbo Saloon has a P11D value of £46,950 and, because of its low CO₂ emissions, incurs a 2012/13 BIK tax rate of just 22%. This makes the annual taxable benefit £10,340, meaning a 40% tax payer would currently pay £344.66 per month - little more than half the tax payable for running a comparable petrol vehicle.

“The D3 will be attractive to business users who have the resources to purchase a high-performance luxury car but have been put-off by the high taxation,” says Stripling. “ALPINA has traditionally been the choice of informed professionals who enjoy fine technology and attention to detail. With such a competitive package, the D3 Bi-Turbo is sure to prove successful in this discerning market.”

ALPINA has worked closely with BMW since 1961, with shared warranty coverage since 1964. The company was registered as an automobile manufacturer to ISO standards in 1983.

Technical Notes

Bespoke ALPINA Technology

ALPINA CEO Andreas Bovensiepen says the remarkable combination of comfort, performance and durability achieved with every vehicle is possible because although all BMW ALPINAs are available with an almost infinite variety of bespoke luxuries, his company manufactures only one mechanical specification for each model.

“As well as enhancing the performance of all major vehicle systems, our engineers are able to focus on ensuring that they work perfectly together, without the compromises needed for wide model and option variations,” he explains. “For ride comfort, for example, there is one combination of seat cushion, tyres, wheels, dampers, bushes and springs, so they can be designed to work as a well-coordinated team. We build only 1,200 cars a year, so we can do things that would not be possible in volume production.”

Powertrain

The BMW ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo’s lightweight powertrain is based on BMW’s aluminium three litre straight six running ALPINA’s own engine control unit with bespoke software. Exceptionally clean, it already complies with the tough Euro 6 emissions standards to be introduced in September 2014.

ALPINA has specified two small, variable geometry turbochargers (rather than one larger unit) because their lower inertia allows them to respond very quickly. These are fed from larger intake ducts with optimised radii, allowing the engine to breathe more freely by reducing induction air pressure losses by 30 percent compared with the standard system. The result of complex fluid dynamics modelling, the bespoke induction system supports increased engine output as well as improving throttle response. A 20 percent larger intercooler with flow-optimised aluminium ducting increases the density of the fuel / air mixture to further enhance engine performance.

Although optimised for fast road driving rather than track use, BMW ALPINA cars are engineered to provide consistent performance and high reliability when driven hard for long periods. Central to this ability is the enhanced powertrain cooling system. An additional radiator in the engine cooling circuit is mounted behind the bespoke front spoiler, which also directs air to the new, high-flow oil cooler. Control is provided by a dedicated thermal systems control unit that uses information from the vehicle’s databus to optimise powertrain temperatures and to reduce parasitic loading on the engine by momentarily switching off the fan when maximum acceleration is required.

ALPINA has paid equal attention to the hot side of the engine. The bespoke, free-flow exhaust manifold is manufactured from high carbon steel with a cobalt addition to provide very high temperature resistance. The light-weight, quad-outlet exhaust system, developed with specialist supplier Akrapovic, is optimised for gas flow as well as for acoustic characteristics, which are enhanced by opening a computer-controlled valve when the Drive Performance Control is in Sport mode and when the system identifies spirited driving.

The eight speed transmission has been developed in partnership with ZF to provide a very fast shift speed while ensuring durability with the D3 Bi-Turbo’s immense torque. Around 20 percent of the system is bespoke, developed with ZF specifically for ALPINA. Linked to recalibrated software, the system provides smooth, comfortable gear changes with no noticeable interruption to power delivery. In Manual mode, the driver can take complete control of the transmission using the unique ALPINA Switch-Tronic buttons on the back of the steering wheel for intuitive fingertip control. The driveshafts and differential are also reinforced and a limited slip differential is available as an option.

Ride and Handling

The combination of incredible performance and low emissions is matched by a remarkable ride quality and superb dynamics from the chassis. Bespoke ALPINA springs with a 40 percent higher rate work with bespoke roll-control bars, bushings and bump stops. The four-setting variable damper control has been recalibrated to provide softer compression and stiffer rebound. The system works with the revised springs and bushes to provide superb body control, particular in the sports settings, while allowing excellent bump absorption. Front camber and toe-in are optimised and a front body strengthening brace, designed specifically for the D3 Bi-Turbo, is fitted to further enhance steering feel, turn-in and dynamic consistency.

Wheels are ALPINA’s legendary ‘Classic’ style, in a new 19” design carrying non-run-flat Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres developed in partnership with the tyre company specifically for the D3 Bi-Turbo. Enhanced tread stability and a new flank reinforcement technology reduces temperature spikes during very hard driving, ensuring consistently excellent grip in the dry complemented by a bi-compound running surface to ensure equally outstanding performance in the wet. Softer side walls contribute to the car’s superb ride quality and refinement.

Brembo callipers in ALPINA Blue announce a bespoke braking system with 370 mm discs and four piston callipers at the front and 345 mm discs with twin piston callipers at the rear. The pad specification has been selected to provide excellent temperature stability to ensure consistently good stopping performance and pedal feel during hard use without compromising feel or refinement when being driven more gently.

To help ensure that every aspect of the suspension works perfectly together, ALPINA has recalibrated the control software for the power steering, the Dynamic Stability Control and the Dynamic Traction Control. “This is a great example of the attention to detail that is applied to optimise the entire car as a unified driving system,” says Bovensiepen. “Optimising the DSC for our wheel and tyre combination means that we can deliver more performance and greater safety, with unobtrusive intervention helping to make the vehicle feel wonderfully neutral at its dynamic limits.”

Styling and Aerodynamics

The appearance of a BMW ALPINA has always been a distinctive blend of function and style. The new front spoiler provides the necessary airflow to the front brakes and through the additional heat exchangers and also works with the bespoke rear spoiler to reduce high-speed lift to almost zero.

ALPINA and Diesel: a winning combination

In 1998, at the request of BMW, Andreas Bovensiepen with other leading drivers pioneered the now highly successful use of diesel in endurance motorsport when they won the Nurburgring 24hr at the wheel of an ALPINA BMW 320d. Soon after, ALPINA launched the D10 Bi-Turbo, then the world’s fastest production diesel saloon.  “BMW was the first major vehicle manufacturer to recognise the potential of diesel in motorsport and ALPINA was the first constructor to win with this fuel, which has a significantly higher energy density than petrol,” he recalls. “It was an exciting time, doing something genuinely different and winning. The ALPINA D3 Bi-Turbo follows in this tradition.”

Congratulations to dacia UK for hitting 10,000 sales.

Exactly ten months since it took the country by storm, Dacia’s already celebrating another impressive milestone, its 10,000 new customer. That’s going some. Even by Dacia’s usual growth spurt standards.

It’s even more of a coup for such a fledgling brand in the UK, which has arguably the most cut-throat new and used car market in Europe. Oh, and the fact that it almost exclusively focuses on retail business, which just happens to make up only around half of all car sales here in Blighty.

The owner of the landmark car, Elma Marshall, an NHS worker at Motherwell Hospital, recently collected her gleaming Duster Ambiance 4x4, in sparkling Granite Grey metallic, on Scotland’s east coast. Fittingly, the car was bought and handed over at Ness Motors, Perth, already one of the best-performing retailers in the country, by General Manager, John Aitken.

Elma commented, “I’d read a lot of things about Dacia on the internet before I went to Ness in Perth, and the fact that Duster was the Scottish Car of the Year also hadn’t escaped my notice. As soon as I sat in it, I loved it. It was comfy and the chunky styling really reassured me that I'd be safe in the snowiest weather. I knew that by investing in even the top specification 4x4, I’d be saving thousands compared to anything else like it. One minute I was trading in a front-wheel-drive petrol Mazda 6, the next I was driving my diesel Dacia Duster 4x4 home. I’ve already had some lovely comments on the car from both colleagues in the NHS and family and friends in the farming community. I've even been approached by strangers at the garage!”

Ken Ramirez, Managing Director, Renault UK & Ireland, added, “I’m over the moon that Elma, as well as over 10,000 other Dacia owners, have recognised the ‘shockingly affordable’ value-for-money of Duster and Sandero in terms of space, practicality and equipment, so far this year. Our Dacia line-up has now been completed with the arrival of Sandero Stepway and Logan MCV, making us the first choice ‘smart buy’ car brand.”

With ‘value’ shopping continuing to sweep the nation, it seems car buyers aren’t immune to getting the most they can for their hard-earnt cash either. With Dacia’s candle burning brighter than most. As of today, the “shockingly affordable” brand’s charms have already pulled in over 11,500 new owners since January 1st. Sales which plenty of older and more established car manufacturers can only dream of.

And worryingly for others, that’s with only two of its current range having been on sale since launch at the turn of the year. Now, its got the added impetus of two more “UK’s most affordable” models in its arsenal, the Logan MCV and Sandero Stepway to build on.

The five-seat supermini estate, Logan MCV (Maximum Capacity Vehicle), boasts a city car-shaming price tag and Volvo V70-aping load-lugging ability. While its chunky and striking sibling, Sandero Stepway, a supermini crossover, has tapped into the current vogue for higher-riding small cars.

In terms of sales, Duster is still out in front, with just shy of 5,600 having found homes, The Sandero range not too far behind either, with in excess of 5,400 sold to date. The fastest gainer currently is Stepway. It’s not hard to see why. In the fast-growing supermini crossover class, it arguably has no direct rival for the money.  But, what is surprising, even to the Dacia UK team, is that it’s already smashing internal forecasts, taking a healthy one quarter of overall Sandero sales. And rising.

Dacia – value for the long term

Even more remarkable is the fact that virtually all of Dacia’s sales are to purely retail customers. Once car companies dip their toes into commercial sales, there’s always the risk of its models losing chunks of their value in the longer term. Proving that you can have your cake and eat it though, top residual value provider, CAP, say that Sanderos are typically worth over up to 38% after three years/60,000 miles. That’s more than a whole host of other superminis, including perennial best-sellers such the Skoda Fabia and Vauxhall Corsa.

Just to ram home its longer term value message, Duster flies high in the SUV class too, with a residual value of over 35% during the same period.

Dacia buyers – “value” sweeps across the nation

So, just where are the buyers coming from? In short, far and wide. However, an interesting regional picture’s starting to emerge, including something of a North-South divide. Among Dacia’s top retailers, Scottish and Welsh sites feature prominently, with three of the former and two of the latter, in the top ten. Some well-known Northern cities are well in the mix too, including Bradford and Newcastle. From the south, three towns score highly, Basingstoke, Enfield and Poole.

And don’t think for a second that it’s solely lower-income households plumping for Dacias. In recent months, its UK Retailers have reported stories of trade-ins as varied as Land Rover Discoverys and Honda CR-Vs

Happy 20th Birthday, Ford Mondeo

• Ford Mondeo celebrates 20 years, with more than 4.5 million sold across Europe, 1,400,000 in the UK
• Ford releases new internet video celebrating two decades of Mondeo with voiceover by acclaimed actor Ray Winstone
• Technologies advanced by Mondeo include airbags, traction control, intelligent protection, Adaptive Cruise Control and EcoBoost engines

It helped pioneer standard airbags. James Bond took it for a spin. It came to define a whole voting class in Britain.

The Ford Mondeo is celebrating its 20th anniversary and more than 4.5 million sales in Europe, including 1,400,000 in the UK.

“Mondeo has a rich history and a bright future,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president Product Development, Ford of Europe. “Across two decades, Mondeo has stood for great driving dynamics, surprising technologies, excellent safety and outstanding fuel efficiency.”

To celebrate two decades of Mondeo, Ford released a new internet video with voiceover by Hollywood actor Ray Winstone, star of such movies as “The Sweeney,” “Snow White and the Huntsman”, “The Departed” and “Great Expectations”.

The Mondeo was introduced in 1993 following a five-year,£3 billion development programme and was named Car of the Year in 1994.  Since then it has continued to set standards in its class for two decades, gaining awards from across Europe.

Mondeo has made advanced features available and affordable for UK customers. The first generation provided a standard driver’s airbag, an optional passenger airbag and offered traction control, adaptive damping, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and power steering.

In 1996, a revised, restyled and lighter weight Mondeo delivered optional side airbags, which were standardised two years later together with four-channel ABS.

In 2000, Ford launched the second generation Mondeo with Ford’s Intelligent Protection System, which used a network of sensors to calculate the most effective safety features to deploy in an accident. This Mondeo made heated rear seats, automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers available for the first time.

It was so popular it even became part of the English language, when Tony Blair coined the phrase “Mondeo Man” to define a new voting class in the early part of the last decade.

The dashing third generation Mondeo arrived in 2007 following a silver screen cameo as a Bond car in the movie “Casino Royale” in 2006.

The new model debuted advanced technologies such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Interactive Vehicle Dynamic Control and Ford Easy Fuel system to prevent misfuelling.

Mondeo was again updated in 2010, adding Ford EcoBoost petrol engine technology and safety and convenience features such as Lane Departure Warning, Driver Alert and Auto High Beam.

Class-leading driving dynamics have always been a cornerstone of the Mondeo experience, demonstrated by past performance models including the V6-powered ST24, ST200 and ST220 and current four-cylinder 200PS 2.2-litre Duratorq diesel and 240PS 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol versions.

Recent powertrain enhancements to the Mondeo result in CO2 emissions from just 119g/km* and fuel consumption of 62.8mpg from the best-selling 2.0-litre 163PS Duratorq diesel engine – Mondeo now offers more power than its key sub-120g/km CO2 rivals.  This Mondeo has Smart Regenerative Charging, the Ford EcoMode driver information system and the Active Grille Shutter system, which reduces aerodynamic drag.

The all-new Mondeo will arrive in the UK in late 2014.  Engines will include Ford’s award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost which is expected to deliver leading fuel economy, and a petrol Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain.  It will have segment-first adaptive full LED headlamps and debut Ford’s rear inflatable seat belts designed to reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear-seat passengers.

“Mondeo’s future is very bright and at Ford Motor Company we're looking forward to delivering another 20 years of innovation for drivers across Europe,” added Samardzich.

FRANKFURT - SEAT Leon ST

• Official debut of the SEAT Leon ST at the Volkswagen Group event in Frankfurt  
• All-new estate becomes third member of the SEAT Leon family, following five-door hatchback and three-door SC
• Vast boot extends from 587 litres to 1,470 litres
• Introduces the new Leon Ecomotive to the range, powered by a 110 PS 1.6 TDI diesel engine 
• Adaptive Chassis Control, Adaptive Cruise Control and Progressive steering come to the Leon range

SEAT has unveiled the all-new Leon ST estate at the Volkswagen Group event in Frankfurt, on the eve of the 65th Frankfurt Motor Show. The new SEAT Leon ST demonstrates that thrilling sporting character and exceptional everyday usability do not have to be mutually exclusive.

The third member of the Leon family combines the young, dynamic design and the precise handling qualities of its siblings with an amazing amount of practicality. Like every Leon, the ST displays an impressive level of craftsmanship and uses premium materials throughout.

The luggage space of the compact estate car, which measures 4,535 mm long (264 mm longer than the five-door Leon), offers excellent versatility and is full of useful touches that make it a joy to use day-to-day. It has a load capacity of 587 litres, rising to 1,470 litres with the rear seat backrests folded, and its twin-level boot floor makes loading bulky items much easier; the rear seats can be folded flat using easy-to-reach handles on the sidewalls of the boot.  

“Nobody has to choose between sporty and practical anymore – the new Leon ST offers both,” says Jürgen Stackmann, President and CEO of SEAT S.A. “With its sporty look, its surprisingly high utility and its state-of-the-art technology, the Leon ST defines a new standard in the compact estate car class – at a very fair price. Like the already highly successful Leon and Leon SC, the new ST is the perfect representative of SEAT’s brand values,” he adds.

Introducing the new Leon Ecomotive

The unveiling of the third member of the Leon family also serves as the introduction of the Leon Ecomotive – the lowest emitting Leon ever made, with an astonishing CO2 rating of just 87 g/km.

Fuel consumption for all versions of the Ecomotive is rated at 85.6 mpg combined, meaning its theoretical tank range is a shade over 940 miles. Power comes from a 110 PS version of the 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine already established in the Leon range, which in the non-Ecomotive car develops 105 PS.

Changes over the standard Leon for the Ecomotive (across all variants) include a specially adapted six-speed manual transmission, the fitment of low rolling resistance tyres and optimised aerodynamics, comprising lowered suspension, closed-off cooling apertures at the front, additional under-body panels, a roof spoiler, and rear screen side spoilers.

Brand new technology

The extensive range of hi-tech options already available with the Leon, such as the full-LED headlights and SEAT Easy Connect multimedia system, is expanded with the addition of ACC Adaptive Cruise Control with proximity radar, and DCC Adaptive Chassis Control with variable damper adjustment. In addition, optional progressive steering enables a high degree of control under sporty driving conditions.

All three of these systems will be available across the entire Leon range, but are introduced with the debut of the Leon ST in Frankfurt.

The design: a truly sporty estate car

The much applauded design language of the Leon range has been further accentuated for the ST. Here, too, sculpted lines along the sides deliver a thrilling interplay of light and shade. The estate also features the same sharp lines and precise edges as the rest of the Leon range, which communicate energy and vitality. The new ST adds a whole new dimension to the Leon family – the dynamic silhouette looks taut and elegant, yet the car offers comprehensive utility for work and leisure, family and sport.

“In the development of the new Leon ST, we have fully retained the dynamic essence of SEAT design,”says Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Head of SEAT Design.“The roofline follows almost exactly the same line as the five-door, just stretched a little further back. While the wheelbase remains the same, an extra 27 centimetres on the body shell allows the car to offer the luggage volume of a fully-fledged estate car.”

The side view of the new SEAT Leon ST is exciting yet very well resolved. It includes a balanced relationship between the metal and glass surface areas; the vertical ratio of the glasshouse to the body shell is one to three. This clear division accentuates solidity and underscores the refined stance of the compact estate car. The slight taper of the side window surfaces towards the rear emphasises the feeling of spaciousness, which can be further enhanced by the optional panoramic glass roof. Every Leon ST gets roof rails as standard.

The extra 27 centimetres added to the rear overhang provides some indication of the generous luggage space available within, while the low rear windscreen and muscular shoulders emphasise the car’s dynamic character. And in FR trim, with its even more expressive front and rear designs, the Leon ST brings whole new meaning to the term ‘sporty estate’.

The interior: premium, functional and intelligently designed

The Leon ST is a car whose stunning and well-balanced looks are continued in the cabin. The space for the driver and front seat passenger has a clear and intuitive layout: all the switches, buttons and levers are where they would be expected to be. The broad centre console is a notable feature, with its clear orientation towards the driver. The instrument panel is extremely elegant and, due to its two-tone design, seems to float slightly in mid-air.

During the design of the SEAT Leon ST, a high priority was placed on functionality and flexibility; there are no fewer than a dozen storage spaces and five closed cubbies in the doors and centre console, as well as below and between the front seats. The front stowage bin in the centre console is extremely spacious. Keys, mobile phones or other everyday items can be stored here quickly and safely.

A special equipment package for families includes retractable sunshades for the rear side windows, as well as practical folding tables on the rear side of the front backrests. For a good view of the sky and an even greater feeling of spaciousness, SEAT offers a panoramic glass sliding roof as an option for the Leon ST.

Aside from outright space, intelligently designed functionality touches make the Leon ST brilliantly practical. The rear seat backrests, for instance, can be folded very easily from the boot using integrated release handles. The double level boot floor means it can be lifted to sit flush with the boot lip, making it easier to load or unload heavy or bulky items. An optional chromed loading edge provides even more convenience for transporting all manner of items, and luggage nets are optional.

In addition, space for stowing the roll-out parcel shelf beneath the boot floor means it need never be left outside of the car, while some versions offer the facility to fold forward the backrest of the front passenger seat for stowing particularly long loads.

Panoramic sunroof

The optional panoramic sunroof delivers a very bright and airy sense of space, especially for the back-seat passengers – and, with its large, black surface, provides an additional design element, particularly in combination with light-coloured paintwork. The front section of the glass roof can be retracted over the fixed rear section, and can also be opened and closed using the remote-control key.

The body shell: systematic lightweight design

The Leon ST’s extremely good fuel consumption figures are not only a consequence of sophisticated engine technology, but of systematic lightweight design. The base Leon ST* has a kerb weight of just 1,233 kg, making it the lightest estate car in its class, yet it offers optimum safety and the best possible comfort thanks to a solid body shell; an intelligent chassis structure guarantees that the vehicle remains light and efficient.

High-strength and ultra-high-strength steels are used extensively in the chassis. These hot-formed hi-tech steels alone reduce the weight by of the chassis by 18 kg, while providing even greater stiffness to the occupant cell.

The body-in-white of the five-door variant of the Leon is lighter than the preceding model by no less than 25 kg. And for the new Leon ST, too, systematic lightweight design was implemented across all elements of the vehicle. Thus, a great many parts in the engines, chassis and interior also make a contribution to weight reduction.

The drive: dynamic and efficient

The technology package for the new SEAT Leon ST is the same as that for the Leon and Leon SC models. The fuel-efficient TDI and TSI engines, with displacements ranging from 1.2- to 2.0 litres, all work with direct injection and turbocharging and are engineered for rapid warm-up and low internal friction.

Every engine in the Leon ST range, and indeed the five-door and SC versions, comes with Start/Stop and Energy Recovery as standard, regardless of transmission.

TSI engines

The choice of petrol engines is extremely broad, starting with the 1.2 TSI 105 PS, which develops 105 PS and in the Leon ST returns 57.6 mpg on average, meaning a 114 g/km CO2 figure. Following that, the state-of-the-art 1.4 TSI packs a significant punch, getting the ST to 62mph from rest in just 8.2 seconds, yet returning 53.3 mpg combined.

At the top of the petrol engine tree, for the time being, is the 1.8 TSI engine, which gets the Leon ST to 62mph in just 7.8 seconds, but achieves 47.9 mpg on average, and 137 g/km. All three petrol engines are available with a DSG twin-clutch automatic gearbox.

TDI engines

The diesel line-up offered in the new SEAT Leon ST covers a broad performance spectrum, ranging from 105 PS to 184 PS. The entry-level engine, the 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS, produces a substantial 250 Nm of torque so it feels strong, yet it consumes fuel at a rate of 74.3 mpg, returning 99 g/km.

The efficiency highlight is the Leon ST Ecomotive. With a CO2 figure of just 87 g/m, it sips fuel at an outstandingly low rate, registering 85.6 mpg combined. And this while being quicker to the 62 mph benchmark than the standard 1.6 TDI; the Leon ST Ecomotive, with 110 PS, hits 62 mph from zero in 10.4 seconds, while the 105 PS 1.6 TDI version does it in 11.1 seconds.

The 2.0 TDI with 150 PS and 320 Nm of torque provides the new SEAT Leon ST with urgent acceleration, yet it returns close to 70 mpg: 68.9, to be precise, while hitting 62 mph in 8.6 seconds. The range-topping 184 PS version of the engine – the most powerful Leon ST at launch – returns 65.7 mpg and gets to the acceleration benchmark in 7.8 seconds. Its CO2 rating is 112 g/km, and at launch it is the only engine not available with a DSG gearbox.

Start/Stop and Energy Recovery System

In the new SEAT Leon ST, the Start/Stop system deactivates the engine when the car is at a standstill with the gearstick in neutral and the clutch disengaged. On re-engaging gear, a powerful starter motor restarts the engine quietly, smoothly and quickly.

The Start/Stop system, which can be deactivated by the driver at any time, also works perfectly with the DSG automatic transmission. Thanks to a very powerful battery, the system remains active even under extremely cold winter conditions. The Start/Stop system offers fuel savings of up to 4%.

A further efficiency measure in the new SEAT Leon ST is the Energy Recovery . It uses intelligent voltage regulation in the alternator to recover energy under braking and trailing throttle conditions. This is temporarily stored in the battery, flowing back into the vehicle electric system when the car subsequently accelerates. This takes the load off the alternator by enabling it to run from time-to-time on a lower voltage or to be switched off entirely. It draws less power from the engine, resulting in lower fuel consumption.

Transmissions

When it comes to transferring power to the wheels, the transmissions on offer vary in accordance with the engine, from a five- or six-speed manual to the compact and lightweight DSG dual-clutch gearbox. It changes its six- or seven gears in a matter of milliseconds and is incredibly efficient. Certain variants come with a coasting function, which reduces fuel consumption even further.

The chassis: dynamic and comfortable

The well balanced chassis gives the new SEAT Leon ST an extremely dynamic character. The suspension makes all manner of uneven surfaces feel smoother, while the steering has an excellent level of feedback, yet is light and comfortable for day-to-day use.

The compact estate car uses an all-new vehicle architecture that has been developed from scratch – the MQB platform – and its engines are all angled at 12 degrees to the rear. This layout enables SEAT’s engineers to move the front axle forward by 40 millimetres compared to the outgoing Leon. The result is a comparatively long wheelbase and a well-balanced distribution of axle load – factors that have a major impact on comfort and sporty handling.

“We have achieved a perfect suspension setup which combines comfort and agility,” says Dr. Matthias Rabe, SEAT Executive Vice President for Research and Development. “Starting with the Leon ST, DCC together with further advanced driver assistance systems are available now for the whole family.”

At the front are MacPherson struts on a sub-frame. The ST responds quickly and precisely to steering input, mastering all manner of bends and corners with relaxed stability. The new speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering makes a significant contribution to the efficiency of the new Leon ST because it consumes no energy during straight-line driving. The turning circle measures just 10.2 metres.

On engine versions up to and including 150 PS the rear end is equipped with torsion bar suspension. The more powerful variants use a multi-link set-up that handles longitudinal and transverse forces independently from one another. Shock absorbers and coil springs are mounted separately to deliver a particularly refined response.

An electronic transverse differential lock applies tiny braking impulses to the lighter inside front wheel to make handling at the cornering limits safer and even more fluid. The ESP electronic stability program has been perfectly adapted, while the braking system provides outstanding stopping power.

SEAT Drive Profile with DCC adaptive chassis control

The character of the FR version of the new SEAT Leon ST can be personalised to suit both mood and situation: SEAT Drive Profile enables the driver to vary the characteristics of the power steering, throttle control and DSG transmission in three modes: Eco, Comfort and Sport, plus an additional individual setting.

For the FR, SEAT also offers the latest generation of the DCC adaptive chassis control with three different modes that can be selected via the SEAT Drive Profile. In the Sport mode, the Leon ST is even more agile, while the set-up in Comfort mode is considerably more relaxed. As well as DCC, the optional Dynamic Pack for the Leon ST FR includes the progressive steering system. It reduces steering effort when manoeuvring at low speeds, while at the same time raising the dynamics on winding roads with a more direct steering response.

The SEAT Drive Profile in the Leon ST FR with the 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TDI 184 PS engines also influences the engine sound, which is modulated via a sound actuator, as well as the interior ambient lighting; depending on driving style, the interior lights switch between white (Comfort, Eco and individual) and red (Sport).

State-of-the-art infotainment and assistance systems

A new feature of the driver assistance systems for the SEAT Leon is the ACC adaptive cruise control. The radar-based system maintains the pre-set speed and a minimum selected distance to the vehicle in front, braking or accelerating automatically in flowing traffic. The speed can be set within a range of 19-99 mph. ACC works with both manual and DSG gearboxes. In vehicles with DSG, the system can brake all the way to a standstill behind a slowing vehicle, and with the approval of the driver, the car then automatically drives off again.

Further state-of-the-art driver assistance systems are also available for the new SEAT Leon ST. Alongside the standard Multi-Collision Brake are assistants such as Drowsiness Detection and the two camera-based systems Full Beam Assist and Heading Control, a lane-keeping assistant.

When it comes to infotainment solutions, too, the new SEAT Leon ST is fully up to date. The foundation for the very best on-board entertainment is the SEAT Easy Connect operating system, which enables the control of entertainment and communication functions, in addition to numerous vehicle functions, via a cockpit touch-screen.

Measuring up to 5.8 inches, the touch-screen and its associated buttons and rotary controls are located centrally in a convenient position between the central air vents. It is easy to read and to reach for both driver and front seat passenger.

For the first time, SEAT is using a touch-sensitive screen with proximity sensor. As soon as the driver’s or passenger’s finger approaches the touch-screen, the system automatically switches from display to operating mode. In operating mode, the elements that can be activated via the touchscreen are brought to the fore, making intuitive use (smartphone-style swipe and zoom gestures) even easier. The display mode, on the other hand, is distinguished by its extremely clear and uncluttered presentation. The graphics of both modes are a perfect match for the sporty aesthetic of the SEAT design.

The optional SEAT Sound System, with 135-watt output and ten speakers, offers clear and powerful sound at all five seats. A large proportion of this impressive listening experience is attributable to the centre speaker integrated into the dashboard and the large subwoofer in the luggage compartment.

Full-LED headlights

As with the Leon five-door and SC, innovative full-LED headlights in combination with LED rear lights are available as an option for the new Leon ST. Alongside their expressive design, LED headlights have many further benefits. They illuminate the road with a colour temperature of 5,300 Kelvin (K), for instance. Because this is very similar to the 5,500 K of daylight, they put very little strain on the eyes. In terms of efficiency, the LEDs consume very little energy; full-LED headlights on dipped beam draw only 20 watts per unit.

The dipped beam is made up of six LED modules per headlamp. When the main beam is switched on, three bright spot modules are activated in each unit and the dipped beam is raised accordingly.

Two white LEDs per unit light up the Leon’s distinctive LED daytime running light strips. Nine yellow LEDs on each side provide the light for the indicators, which are likewise integrated into the headlamp unit.

Intelligent sensors prevent oncoming traffic from being dazzled. Furthermore, the new full-LED headlights are completely maintenance-free and designed to last the lifetime of the car.

The functions of the full-LED headlight include a motorway light. The angle of the beam is raised slightly as soon as the Leon ST travels at a speed of above 68 mph for more than 30 seconds. This improves illumination of the motorway without irritating other road users.