Seat has launched a new PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicle ), and the company says its e-Hybrid offers the "best of both worlds".
It is capable of up to a claimed 64km on battery power alone, twinned with the reassurance of a potent 150PS 1.4 TSI petrol engine to offer a combined 204PS.
The Leon e-Hybrid comes with a choice of two body styles and four trim levels, and is the first PHEV to be offered by the brand.
The e-Hybrid employs a 13kW battery, combined with the 1.4 TSI engine to offer a 0-100km/h (0-62mph ) sprint of just 7.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 220km/h. CO2 emissions remain at or below a claimed 30g/km in all versions and the WLTP fuel economy figure is just 1.3 l/100km.
Driven on electric-only power, the car promises 64km of zero tailpipe emissions and working with the petrol engine, there is a range of around 800km. This is a car that around town could offer the benefits of an EV, but also the secondary reassurance of being able to do a low-emission cross-country drive. The car’s battery can charge in just three hours and 40 minutes from a 3.6kWh wallbox.
There are two body styles of the e-hybrid on sale, the traditional five-door hatchback and the Sportstourer estate. These are offered in four high-specification trim level – Xcellence, Xcellence Plus, FR and FR Plus.
The Xcellence spec has items such as 17" Dynamic alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, three-zone air conditioning, 8.25" touch screen infotainment, full digital cockpit and wireless phone charging. Seat says those who prefer their Leon e-Hybrid to look and feel sportier, the FR versions provide those options.
The Leon e-Hybrid starts from €35,740 or with €5,000 grant applied, €30,740 on the road for the Xcellence five-door hatch. The Xcellence Sportstourer version starts at€32,225 after the SEAI grant of €5,000 is applied. FR models start from €35,740 for the five-door hatch and €37,225 for the Sportstourer and these drop to €30,740 and €32,225 respectively for private customers who can avail of the government grant.
Seat says that PCP Finance is available at 3.9 per cent APR, alternatively customers can avail of an online scrappage voucher of €2,500 with finance available at 5.9 per cent APR. Both offers also come with the option of a €9.99 per month three year service plan.
