SEAT Leon gets bigger

SEAT Leon ST main

We’re big fans here at The Engine Room Show of the SEAT Leon, mainly because it looks great and doesn’t cost anywhere near to what a Golf costs. Now there’s another model to get to choose from – the ST. Normally we’d laugh at calling an estate car a ‘Sports Tourer’, but those stylish people at SEAT have made even this muy practical car looks pretty darn good.

SEAT Leon ST rear detail

SEAT Leon ST boot

The sensible choice is the 105hp 1.6-litre TDI engine which is frugal and clean – it emits just 99g/km of CO2 meaning it’s cheap to tax too. It comes in a choice of five-speed manual of the rather excellent DSG automatic gearbox. You can pick from three different trim levels; S, SE and FR – the latter being the best and sportiest looking one to go for.

SEAT Leon ST interiorPrices start at €20,185 though expect to pay around €24,405 for a mid-range car. And if you’re feeling very flush, a 184hp 2.0-litre TDI in FR trim (aka mega) is available at a price of €29,930. SEAT is also now offering the Leon ST with a four-wheel drive system called 4Drive, which can be ordered on diesel-engined cars.

Check out Volkswagen’s sand bug

The North American Auto Show has opened in Detroit in the good ol’ US of A and Volkswagen has unveiled a cool new concept car. Based on the Beetle (remember that Steven Cooper?), the Beetle Dune is a rugged semi-off-road version which has been created with the ultimate winter sports people in mind. The car is jacked up by 50mm and rolls on chunky 19-inch tyres meaning not only does it look cool, but it should be pretty capable when it comes to doing some off-piste driving.

Volkswagen Beetle Dune main

Volkswagen Beetle Dune interior

This isn’t the first time VW has made a concept like this either. Back in 2000, the then ‘new’ Beetle was given a similar makeover and had the same name.

2000-Volkswagen-New-Beetle-Dune-Concept-01-720x540

At the time that one looked pretty cool too, but nowhere near as funky as this one does! Hopefully, if enough people like it, Volkswagen might actually make it happen. For reals!