In the much-troubled year of 2020 new car sales across the globe stalled and even the must-have Crossover/SUV styled vehicles saw their sales flatten, writes David Miles. According to JATO Dynamics reliable new car sales figures, although such vehicles still accounted for 40% of all cars sold in Europe there was no growth. They added ‘Over the last six years, SUVs have been a consistent driver … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Mii electric
SEAT is dipping its toe in the market waters in its Mii pure electric five-door city car with the promise of many stablemates over coming years, writes Robin Roberts. The Mii petrol models replaced with the first all-electric car from the Spanish subsidiary of the German VW Group shows how international the focus has become because it’s made in Slovakia.Developed from the Mii city car … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Ibiza FR 1.0TSi 115ps manual
SEAT built its reputation on small cars although it's now expanded the range upmarket, but it still knows how to make a good city car in the Ibiza, writes Robin Roberts. The Ibiza five-door range comprises three 1.0 litre petrol engined models of 80, 95 or 115ps with a choice of 5 or 6sp manual gearboxes and 7sp auto with the most powerful, plus 95ps 1.6 diesel 5sp manual-only … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Alhambra Xcellence 2.0 TDI 177hp
One of the intriguing recent surveys done by Auto Trader, the ‘bible’ for used and new UK car sales trends and figures, showed that the two fastest selling used cars were both MPVs, writes David Miles. The top selling model was the SEAT Alhambra followed by the Volkswagen Sharan, both interestingly diesel automatic versions. In fact in Auto Trader’s top ten fastest selling used car sales chart, … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Tarraco 150 Xcellence
The new SEAT Tarraco represents the voice of the people, writes David Miles.The new 7-seat large SUV is named after the Mediterranean city of Tarragona and was chosen by 140,000 on-line enthusiasts.Priced from £28,335 to £38,055 the Tarraco range joins the SEAT Spanish arm of the VW Group’s other SUVs – the compact Arona and the very highly rated and award winning Ateca mid-sized … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI 4Drive 300hp
You’ve heard the name Cupra before, it’s been used and still will be for the name of SEAT’s most potent sports models, but this time its reborn, writes David Miles.The first Cupra was developed by SEAT Sport and launched as the Ibiza Cupra in 1996 but now Cupra is being launched as a standalone sports brand and its first offering is the 153mph Cupra Ateca sports SUV.In the future Cupra … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Ateca 2.0TSI 4Drive DSG
If you ever thought SUV’s are boring, then the SEAT Ateca FR 2.0TSi will change your mind in an instant.It is one of the growing families of SUVs, and that includes a number from SEAT and the rest of the parent VW Group, but it brings a little extra pizzazz to the family party.The proportions and practical nature of this Ateca are a good starting point for the driving enthusiasts at SEAT … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Arona FR 1.5 TSI EVO 150
Working requirements mean that sometimes we can only spend a comparatively short, but informative, time in a test car.A quick run in a few hours can often highlight the pros and cons of a car so the best and worst features stand out. Other times you need to spend a few days in the driving seat to appreciate the subtlies.In between these extremes a car’s character can ease itself into your … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Leon Cupra ST 4Drive
Let me introduce you to the wolf in sheep's clothing that is the SEAT Leon Cupra ST, writes David Miles.SEAT’s Leon range of mid-sized C-segment models covers SC three door hatchbacks, Leon five door hatchbacks and ST five door estates with a long list of 1.4 to 2.0-litre engines, both petrol and diesel, with a comprehensive level of specifications with prices covering a huge scale from … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Arona SE Technology 1.0TSI 95ps
The SEAT Arona SUV mid-sized range not only spoils you for choice, it spoils you full stop.There’s a choice of over 20 models in a handful of trim levels and using 95, 115 or 150ps petrol engines as well as 95 and 115 diesels with manual or automatic transmission choices and priced between £13,600 and £20,500.That’s what you might reasonably expect from one of the biggest car groups in the … [Read more...]
