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Seat’s Leon E Ecomotive drives green hotel’s business

19th November 2010 Print
Seat Leon E Ecomotive

SEAT’s latest class leader, the ultra-green Leon E Ecomotive, has been chosen as the perfect courtesy car for one of London’s newest and most luxurious green hotels.

The newly-opened Rafayel on the Left Bank, in Battersea, certainly chimes with the new E Ecomotive’s green aspirations.  Styling itself as ‘one of the world’s first environmentally-conscious luxury hotels’ like the Leon it boasts a number of cutting edge green technologies that minimise its environmental impact without compromising quality.

Incorporating the latest advances in LED lighting, air conditioning and rainwater harvesting, the Rafayel promises to reduce the 70 kg carbon footprint of the average London hotel guest by an impressive 20%.

The hotel has agreed a deal which sees it take two new Leon E Ecomotive models specifically for use as courtesy cars as the vehicles fit fully with its environmentally responsible business ethos.

Showcasing cutting edge engineering, including SEAT’s new Stop/Start and Brake Energy Recovery technologies, the sleek five-seater Leon underlines the Spanish brand’s determination to make itself a leader in the area of environmentally responsible motoring.

This family-sized SEAT sees its CO2 emissions slashed to just 99 g/km (the same as the original Ibiza Ecomotive) while its combined fuel economy figure of 74.3 mpg gives the Leon a range of almost 900 miles between fill-ups!

Even in town, with an official urban figure of 60.1 mpg, new Leon E Ecomotive shows itself to be impressively frugal while for the Rafayel the SEAT’s forthcoming exemption from London’s Congestion Charge – by virtue of its sub-100 g/km CO2 emissions level – makes it even more appealing.

Among the features key to the car’s improved economy and emissions performance are its use of a new 1.6-litre TDI engine with the latest common rail fuelling and DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).

A recommended gear indicator helps the driver select the optimum ratio for economical motoring, while low rolling resistance tyres on the new Leon further boost economy.  Subtle but important aerodynamic tweaks to the Leon’s already slippery shape complete the E Ecomotive treatment.

Sacrificing performance in the quest for out-and-out economy has never been SEAT’s way, of course, so it’s perhaps no surprise that the Leon E Ecomotive’s 0-62 mph time remains a sprightly 11.5 seconds while the top speed is an entirely ample 118 mph.

Air conditioning, stylish 16-inch alloys, one-shot electric windows all round, ESP, ABS, TSC, Hill Hold Control, tyre pressure monitoring, six-speaker stereo radio/CD with MP3 compatibility and AUX-in – these are not the traditional hallmarks of an ‘economy’ car yet they all appear in the Leon E Ecomotive.

An extensive options list lets customers further personalise their luxurious surroundings with the likes of bi-xenon headlights with AFS, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto lights and wipers, SEAT’s Optical Parking System and DAB radio tuner all available.  Prices for the model start at just £16,840 RRP (SEAT Leon E Ecomotive S).

Welcoming the ground-breaking courtesy car deal with Rafayel on the Left Bank, SEAT UK National Fleet Sales Manager Sally Livingstone said: ‘The opportunity to put the Leon E Ecomotive in front of scores of green-minded hotel customers via this agreement with the Rafayel was very appealing.

‘I hope the hotel’s guests enjoy their journeys to and from the Rafayel as much as I’m sure they will enjoy their stay at this top class London hotel.’

Meanwhile hotel owner Iqbal Latif is similarly keen to see his guests take advantage of the SEAT courtesy cars.  He said: ‘The arrival of these new cars adds an important extra dimension to the eco credentials of our hotel.’

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Seat Leon E Ecomotive