What is it?
It's the second version of the very cleanest SEAT Leon, soaped up a bit more for even less tailpipe emissions and more miles from a gallon of the dirty stuff (or the clean stuff, as it is these days). Thankfully, that squeakiness has been achieved by ditching the 1.9-litre TDI unit of the current Ecomotive, which is all a bit rattle and thrum, and putting a 1.6-litre diesel in its place. The old Ecomotive posted a CO2 rating of 119g/km and 62.8mph. We're guessing you'd like to know how much better this one fares...
Why's it here?
Alright then, it does 99g/km and 74.3mpg - an impressive improvement, we're sure you'll agree. That also puts the Ecomotive into the magical £0 rate for VED tax, saving owners a handy £35 a year; a nice half tank of diesel, if you will. Start/stop engine tech - the first application of it in a SEAT - helps it post those figures and, of course, it has one of those shift indicators to tell you when to change gear for minimum fuel use; along with taller gearing; and low rolling resistance tyres. The standard green package, really.
Show stopper or floor filler?
Um, you know, a cleaner Leon was never going to set the show alight, and it didn't, but cars like this are important; people actually buy them. We're just pleased SEAT has dragged its saintly Leon more in line with other green hatchbacks in terms of both its eco stats and, we assume, driving experience. Pat on the back for SEAT, then.
Mark Nichol - 5 Mar 2009