Road tests by motoring journalist Tim Saunders
Advanced motori
st Tim Saunders was the Business and Motoring Editor at the Bournemouth Daily Echo. His regular test reports are published in newspapers and magazines across the UK and abroad.
BMW X5 E53 video, the subject of Tim's book
Above: Tim Saunders with Vicki Butler-Henderson
Seat Leon Cupra
By Tim Saunders
Speed comes at a cost.
That’s my first thought when I drive the Seat Leon Cupra. It’s a fast five-door hatchback and the price paid is modest economy of around 38mpg.
In these days of high insurance premiums and costly fuel is this a price worth paying for what is arguably a very stylish, well-made car?
Well, let’s see.
As I stand in the dining room I am able to savour the design of the car as it stands on our driveway. Its side profile highlights some interesting lines, slightly higher at the front and lower at the back. Then there are the bright red brake callipers inside the black alloys and their low profile tyres. The test model is finished in a staid silvery grey; it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. There are tell tale twin tail pipes, the Cupra name and a little 300 emblem on the bootlid, giving a little hint as to what is under that bonnet - a Seat TSi engine producing… 300bhp. This is coupled to a six speed manual gearbox. The result is a boy racer’s delight; a blisteringly hot hatch. 0 to 60mph in 5.6secs and a top speed of 155mph. These figures are quite an achievement for a family vehicle powered by a 2-litre petrol engine. As is always the case it seems the fuel economy suffers, though. However, for those boring so-and-sos with only fuel efficiency on their minds, they can drive it with a light foot and receive 40mpg as a reward.
You might think in this day and age when the roads are swamped with traffic and the primary aim of the police seems to be to generate funds for the public purse by catching speeding motorists, that there is little place for a car like the Leon. That was certainly my feeling. But it isn’t anymore. Because the low down acceleration is so swift, it can reach 70mph quicker than many cars could reach 30mph. And so there are times when it really does come into its own.
The other night I was driving through the New Forest with the flow of the traffic when an ageing Renault Laguna sped up behind me, after overtaking some cars behind. After a brief moment the driver visibly allowed a space to return between the Leon and himself. The threat of those 300bhp was enough to put him in his place. After a while he realised I was sensible and was not going to overtake. Off he went on his merry way tailgating more unsuspecting motorists. The Leon demands respect from others but most importantly from the person behind the wheel. As I found when accelerating away from a roundabout onto a dual carriageway, there is so much power being fed to those front wheels that a senseless boy racer could very easily lose control. You cannot help but love the roar it makes when the accelerator is pushed to the floor. It is a joy and is sure to raise a smile from even the most dull, boring motorist.
On the motorway when there seem to be no spaces to join, the Leon quickly gathers speed and creates its own gap. The little accompanying roar is enough to make the driver next to us do a double take. “Slow down Daddy,” my whole family repeat. To which I reply, look at the dial, I am only doing 70mph. Because the Leon is quite low to the ground and is fitted with low profile tyres it has the uncanny ability of making it feel as if you are going faster than you actually are. The addition of cruise control ensures that the speed limit can be set and not exceeded.
While driving through Kensington I have to smile as I pass Lord Alan Sugar behind the wheel of his Rolls Royce (days after his chauffeur pranged it) parked by the roadside outside the Apprentice house, deep in conversation – no doubt in the midst of another business deal.
Inside the Leon is exceptionally comfortable with supportive, almost bucket seats that are leather edged suede and it’s big enough to be a family car. I feel that the gearbox is not as decisive as it should be but overall there’s a good driving experience and all things considered the Leon makes an attractive proposition.
That’s my first thought when I drive the Seat Leon Cupra. It’s a fast five-door hatchback and the price paid is modest economy of around 38mpg.
In these days of high insurance premiums and costly fuel is this a price worth paying for what is arguably a very stylish, well-made car?
Well, let’s see.
As I stand in the dining room I am able to savour the design of the car as it stands on our driveway. Its side profile highlights some interesting lines, slightly higher at the front and lower at the back. Then there are the bright red brake callipers inside the black alloys and their low profile tyres. The test model is finished in a staid silvery grey; it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. There are tell tale twin tail pipes, the Cupra name and a little 300 emblem on the bootlid, giving a little hint as to what is under that bonnet - a Seat TSi engine producing… 300bhp. This is coupled to a six speed manual gearbox. The result is a boy racer’s delight; a blisteringly hot hatch. 0 to 60mph in 5.6secs and a top speed of 155mph. These figures are quite an achievement for a family vehicle powered by a 2-litre petrol engine. As is always the case it seems the fuel economy suffers, though. However, for those boring so-and-sos with only fuel efficiency on their minds, they can drive it with a light foot and receive 40mpg as a reward.
You might think in this day and age when the roads are swamped with traffic and the primary aim of the police seems to be to generate funds for the public purse by catching speeding motorists, that there is little place for a car like the Leon. That was certainly my feeling. But it isn’t anymore. Because the low down acceleration is so swift, it can reach 70mph quicker than many cars could reach 30mph. And so there are times when it really does come into its own.
The other night I was driving through the New Forest with the flow of the traffic when an ageing Renault Laguna sped up behind me, after overtaking some cars behind. After a brief moment the driver visibly allowed a space to return between the Leon and himself. The threat of those 300bhp was enough to put him in his place. After a while he realised I was sensible and was not going to overtake. Off he went on his merry way tailgating more unsuspecting motorists. The Leon demands respect from others but most importantly from the person behind the wheel. As I found when accelerating away from a roundabout onto a dual carriageway, there is so much power being fed to those front wheels that a senseless boy racer could very easily lose control. You cannot help but love the roar it makes when the accelerator is pushed to the floor. It is a joy and is sure to raise a smile from even the most dull, boring motorist.
On the motorway when there seem to be no spaces to join, the Leon quickly gathers speed and creates its own gap. The little accompanying roar is enough to make the driver next to us do a double take. “Slow down Daddy,” my whole family repeat. To which I reply, look at the dial, I am only doing 70mph. Because the Leon is quite low to the ground and is fitted with low profile tyres it has the uncanny ability of making it feel as if you are going faster than you actually are. The addition of cruise control ensures that the speed limit can be set and not exceeded.
While driving through Kensington I have to smile as I pass Lord Alan Sugar behind the wheel of his Rolls Royce (days after his chauffeur pranged it) parked by the roadside outside the Apprentice house, deep in conversation – no doubt in the midst of another business deal.
Inside the Leon is exceptionally comfortable with supportive, almost bucket seats that are leather edged suede and it’s big enough to be a family car. I feel that the gearbox is not as decisive as it should be but overall there’s a good driving experience and all things considered the Leon makes an attractive proposition.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Model tested: Seat Leon Cupra 300 2-litre TSi
Price: £30,095
Top speed: 155mph
0 to 60mph: 5.6secs
Power: 300bhp
Economy: 38mpg
Price: £30,095
Top speed: 155mph
0 to 60mph: 5.6secs
Power: 300bhp
Economy: 38mpg
Peugeot 308SW
By Tim Saunders
After driving a Mistubishi Eclipse Cross stepping into the Peugeot 308 SW comes as a bit of a shock. There was a pretty high driving position in the Mitsubishi. The Peugeot is a complete contrast, surprisingly low to the ground with a really sporty feel. I love it.
Assessing the car on the driveway from my desk its front side profile could easily belong to a sports coupe. A quick glance and you could be forgiven for thinking it was a Mercedes especially with the wing mirrors folded as they do when it is locked shut.
This is a really practical family car. It has a cavernous boot that allows for all the family luggage we need to take on a trek to Devon.
The only way to beat the traffic, especially on a bank holiday, is to leave as early as possible so feeling like a family of moles, we venture out at 6am and arrive at Paignton for 9am. To my surprise we beat the estimated time by 10 minutes. For a change I really enjoy the journey. There are no traffic jams, few red traffic lights and the lack of traffic means that I can put the Peugeot through its paces. This is a diesel and so the engine does rattle a bit but I love its gutsiness. Slam it into second gear, floor it and it delivers a smile for me and a tut from my wife… I like the way the dial on the rev counter shows the engine’s progress from right to left; the opposite way to usual.
It corners and holds the road well and is pretty economical. There’s auto stop start and a six speed gearbox.
My criticisms of the 308 SW are that the gearbox is indecisive and that while I am waiting for the car in front to move on a steep hill on the edge of Brixham, it stalls. I panic and I can’t get it to start again. It’s probably driver error, perhaps my foot slipped off the clutch too quickly, I don’t know but auto start stop usually sees the engine start again once it has stopped but it doesn’t happen on this occasion. I throw my hands up in the air and the van driver behind is thankfully patient. I turn the ignition a couple of times and thankfully the Pug surges back to life. At least the automatic roll prevention that comes with the electric handbrake, works. There is no rolling down the hill here.
While this model is fitted with front and rear parking sensors there is no reversing camera. It is quite a sizeable vehicle and I was worried that my over reliance on reversing cameras in cars of this size might make manoeuvring the Peugeot all the more difficult. But using the easy to operate electrically operated wing mirrors, as long as the driver keeps their cool, it is pretty easy to reverse and indeed parallel park. I don’t like paying for parking and we visit the fish port of Brixham on a Sunday where there’s free on road parking. There’s a tight parking space. I muster up the courage and do a spot of parallel parking and there’s success on my second attempt.
The country roads around Paignton and Brixham are especially narrow and there is one particularly hairy moment when we are travelling slowly up a hill when a BMW X3 comes speeding towards us. We both stop. I reverse for a little while and find there is no place to pass, so I stop. The X3, clearly driven by a local, reverses back up the hill. The driver can’t find any passing place either. She then comes to a broken down VW Beetle and skilfully reverses up another hill to the left to allow me to pass. The rest of our time with the Peugeot passes without anymore challenges and we all love the large panoramic glass roof which really does throw light into the cabin. The children enjoy watching the electric fabric cover retracting.
The Peugeot 308 SW makes for a comfortable and competent family estate and the addition of rear privacy glass makes it feel a bit more extra special.
Assessing the car on the driveway from my desk its front side profile could easily belong to a sports coupe. A quick glance and you could be forgiven for thinking it was a Mercedes especially with the wing mirrors folded as they do when it is locked shut.
This is a really practical family car. It has a cavernous boot that allows for all the family luggage we need to take on a trek to Devon.
The only way to beat the traffic, especially on a bank holiday, is to leave as early as possible so feeling like a family of moles, we venture out at 6am and arrive at Paignton for 9am. To my surprise we beat the estimated time by 10 minutes. For a change I really enjoy the journey. There are no traffic jams, few red traffic lights and the lack of traffic means that I can put the Peugeot through its paces. This is a diesel and so the engine does rattle a bit but I love its gutsiness. Slam it into second gear, floor it and it delivers a smile for me and a tut from my wife… I like the way the dial on the rev counter shows the engine’s progress from right to left; the opposite way to usual.
It corners and holds the road well and is pretty economical. There’s auto stop start and a six speed gearbox.
My criticisms of the 308 SW are that the gearbox is indecisive and that while I am waiting for the car in front to move on a steep hill on the edge of Brixham, it stalls. I panic and I can’t get it to start again. It’s probably driver error, perhaps my foot slipped off the clutch too quickly, I don’t know but auto start stop usually sees the engine start again once it has stopped but it doesn’t happen on this occasion. I throw my hands up in the air and the van driver behind is thankfully patient. I turn the ignition a couple of times and thankfully the Pug surges back to life. At least the automatic roll prevention that comes with the electric handbrake, works. There is no rolling down the hill here.
While this model is fitted with front and rear parking sensors there is no reversing camera. It is quite a sizeable vehicle and I was worried that my over reliance on reversing cameras in cars of this size might make manoeuvring the Peugeot all the more difficult. But using the easy to operate electrically operated wing mirrors, as long as the driver keeps their cool, it is pretty easy to reverse and indeed parallel park. I don’t like paying for parking and we visit the fish port of Brixham on a Sunday where there’s free on road parking. There’s a tight parking space. I muster up the courage and do a spot of parallel parking and there’s success on my second attempt.
The country roads around Paignton and Brixham are especially narrow and there is one particularly hairy moment when we are travelling slowly up a hill when a BMW X3 comes speeding towards us. We both stop. I reverse for a little while and find there is no place to pass, so I stop. The X3, clearly driven by a local, reverses back up the hill. The driver can’t find any passing place either. She then comes to a broken down VW Beetle and skilfully reverses up another hill to the left to allow me to pass. The rest of our time with the Peugeot passes without anymore challenges and we all love the large panoramic glass roof which really does throw light into the cabin. The children enjoy watching the electric fabric cover retracting.
The Peugeot 308 SW makes for a comfortable and competent family estate and the addition of rear privacy glass makes it feel a bit more extra special.
Facts at a glance
Peugeot 308 SW Allure BlueHDi 130
Price: Around £23,000
Engine: 1.5-litre
Power: 129bhp
0 to 60mph: 10.3secs
Top speed: 126mph
Economy: 74mpg
Engine: 1.5-litre
Power: 129bhp
0 to 60mph: 10.3secs
Top speed: 126mph
Economy: 74mpg
