SEAT Leon 1.4 TSI : CAPACITY FOR SURPRISE

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SEAT's Leon has always campaigned on its driver focus and while the 1.4 TSI model doesnt sound that exciting, its got enough about it to entertain. Andy Enright reports

While most of us would love to be behind the wheel of a range-topping Cupra, in the real world most SEAT Leon drivers stick to something a little more modest. The good news is that the entry-level model, the 124bhp 1.4-litre TSI, now packs some meaningful punch.

It doesnt seem that long ago now that the Volkswagen Groups strategy was in a real mess. It didnt know how to properly manage brands such as Audi, Skoda and SEAT, models often overlapping, competing and just plain unable to justify their existence. In recent years the vision has crystallised and of all the brands perhaps SEAT has come to enjoy the strongest brand identity. A SEAT never feels like a Volkswagen, Audi or Skoda product with a different grille and headlights anymore but its good to be able to dip into the groups engineering locker, especially if it turns up a gem like the engine found in this Leon 1.

4 TSI. The entry-level powerplant in the Leon range used to be a normally-aspirated 1.6-litre lump that was good for 101bhp. This turbocharged 124bhp 1.

4-litre unit is better in virtually every regard. As you would expect from a car that packs another 23bhp over its predecessor, the SEAT Leon 1.4 TSI is significantly quicker than its 1.6-litre predecessor, registering a sprint from 0-60mph in just 9.

5 seconds compared to 11.4 seconds for the 1.6-litre car. The Volkswagen Group used to have an engine with both turbocharger and supercharger that made 170bhp, but this powerplant is a more conventional turbo installation.

Its still a high-tech piece of engineering though, with direct injection and a water-cooled intercooler helping the engine to a peak torque figure of 200Nm, or about what youd expect from a decent 2.0-litre petrol engine from,say, Renault or Peugeot. As you might expect given this cars heritage, its pretty much like a Golf to drive with a compliant suspension set-up that offers a decent ride and handling compromise, at least when riding on smaller wheel-and-tyre combinations. Theres good feedback too, through the electric power steering.

The manual gearbox is also a real joy to use, with mechanical precision and a lovely slick feel to the action. A top speed of 122mph means that normal motorway cruising isnt putting the engine under any great stress, despite what the modest capacity of this engine suggests.

"A powerplant that offers the best of both petrol and diesel"

The Leon is a good deal bigger than you might expect for this class of car and this extra space is particularly noticeable in the rear where theres plenty of knee-room, even if youre transporting six-footers. Although theres no armrest in the back and the bench is a little flat, you wouldnt feel hard done by undertaking a longer journey here. Although theres no armrest in the back and the bench is a little flat, you wouldnt feel hard done by undertaking a longer journey here. The rear tailgate opens wide to reveal a load bay thats a little awkwardly shaped for bulky items but is otherwise perfectly adequate for this class of car.

Weight has gone up by a mere 8kg, helped in no small part to innovative panel stamping procedures and an acrylic rear side window that incorporates the door handle. Both the front seat and the steering wheel are multi-adjustable and theres plenty of headroom up front even for taller drivers. The nose curves rapidly out of view and shorter drivers may want to specify parking sensors. The windscreen pillars are annoyingly chunky which means that youll probably be doing a fair bit of see-sawing in your seat as you negotiate roundabouts.

One can almost excuse this feature due to the fact that the windscreen wipers park vertically into the pillars a rather neat trick that helps with the vital showroom wow factor. All-round visibility isnt a Leon strong point, the three-quarter view being hampered by thick pillars and the rearward view consisting of a number of headrests. Two trim levels get the 1.4-litre TSI engine, Sport and Stylance.

Prices are just a few hundred pounds above an obvious rival like Renaults Megane 1.6 VVT, but where the Renault packs 111bhp (translating into a 10.9s sprint to 60mph) the Leon 1.4 TSI has a lot more about it.

This is a well-equipped car, too. In Sport form, Leon buyers will get air-con, electric windows, electric and heated wing mirrors, an MP3-compatible CD player with six speakers, split folding rear seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, sports suspension, tinted windows and a trip computer. The Stylance models gets an eight-speaker stereo, dual zone climate control, follow-me-home headlights and steering-wheel mounted audio controls. The design brief for the 1.

4-litre turbo engine was to create a powerplant that generated the running costs of a diesel engine but which also offered the responsiveness and verve of a decent petrol engine. Of course, many manufacturers try to square this circle, but this engine comes closer than most. Fuel economy is a notable highlight. Despite offering much more power this 1.

4-litre engine is more economical than its 1.6-litre predecessor with a combined economy figure of 44.1mpg versus 3.2mpg.

Its also massively greener, registering a 155g/km CO2 figure compared to 180g/km from the 1.6-litre unit. Company car operators wont need reminding how much this will save them. The Leon has, thus far, stood up very well in terms of retained value, driving down the crucial three-year pence per mile cost.

Insurers seem to look kindly upon this model as well, with cost of repair being very low. Thats on top of an excellent reputation for both security and safety. A trip back in time helps frame SEATs achievements with this latest Leon. We dont have to go back too far.

Lets say late 2000. Back then the entry level model in the range also sported a 1.4-litre engine but it was a very different thing. It managed just 75bhp, would lumber to 60mph in 11.

9 seconds, emitted 158g/km and returned 42.8mpg. Todays car adds airbags, air conditioning and a host of other extras, is way more powerful, and is also quicker, safer, more economical and kinder to the environment. Its a have your cake and eat it scenario.

Even compared with the best of todays offerings, the Leon 1.4 TSI makes a strong case for itself. The pricing is keen and the engineering of a level that all but a handful of manufacturers fail to match. Throw in distinctive and bold styling and decent driving characteristics and you have a formula that cant fail to impress.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: SEAT Leon 1.4 TSI range
PRICES: £14,545-£14,595 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 155g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 122mph / 0-60mph 9.5s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 27.2mpg / (extra urban) 47.1mpg / (combined) 37.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: six airbags, 3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners, ESP, EBA and DSR.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4315/1768/1458