Cars GlobalMag October 2013

SEAT LEON ST
The new SEAT Leon ST, 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.
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.
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.
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
SPORTSVAN
The Golf Sportsvan Concept, the successor to the
Golf Plus, is based on the MQB platform and incorporates
all the advanced technology of that car,
but in a larger, even more practical body style. Its exterior
design clearly follows the look of both the Golf, and
Volkswagen’s more generic ‘DNA’.
At 4,338 mm long, the new Sportsvan is 134 mm longer
than the Golf Plus, and 83 mm longer than the Golf. It
is 224 mm shorter than the Golf Estate. Its 2,685 mm
wheelbase is 48 mm longer than that of the Golf, helping
to generate more interior space, while the Sportsvan is
also 80 mm wider, at 1,870 mm, and 126 mm higher, at
1,578 mm (excluding roof rails).
As well as this versatility, the Golf Sportsvan also offers
extra space. Compared with that of its predecessor,
boot capacity is increased by 74 litres to 498 litres (versus
the Golf’s 380 litres), with the back seats at their
rear-most position. Moving the rear seats forwards increases
the luggage capacity to 585 litres, while folding
the rear seats liberates up to 1,512 litres of room. The
front passenger seat can optionally fold fully forward,
creating a load space which is up to 2,484 mm long.
Driving electronic aids include Adaptive Cruise Control,
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.
Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, all of which
can reduce or eliminate the chance of accidents occurring.
Also available are a Driver Alert System, a camera-operated
Lane Assist system and a Dynamic Light
Assist system. A first for the Golf Sportsvan is a Blind
Spot Monitor. Powering the Sportsvan will be a range
of petrol and diesel engines, all of which conform to
Euro 6 emissions standards and incorporate Stop/Start
and battery regeneration systems. There are four turbocharged
1.4-litre petrol engines with 85, 110, 125
and 150 PS and three turbodiesels: a 2.0-litre 150 PS, a
1.6-litre 90 PS and a 1.6-litre 110 PS for the Sportsvan
BlueMotion. This is expected to return fuel economy of
76.3 mpg and emit 95 g/km of CO2. All engines (but the
85 PS) can be ordered with a DSG gearbox. The Golf
Sportsvan is expected to go on sale in mid-2014.
Volkswagen also presented the e-Golf and e-up!
which are featured in the Green Side chapter of this
magazine.