Photo: SEAT
If there's one compact hatchback we'd recommend to young buyers, that's the SEAT Leon. It may not sell as well as its Golf sister, but it's almost as if they designed the Leon to be the cool kid on the block – LED headlights, sharp lines, attractive packaging and a sharp interior. And now there's a new version, the Leon TGI, which runs on natural gas as well as normal gasoline.
Announced earlier this year, it's powered by a 1.4 turbo bi-fuel engine which only makes 110 PS compared to the usual 122 PS, but will compensate with lower running costs. It also has a sister model in the form of the SEAT Mii Ecofuel, launched in 2013.
Fuel consumption is 3.5 kilograms of CNG per 100 kilometers. Considering one kilogram costs about 98 euro cents, the TGI will save you money very quickly.
SEAT assures us that the risks of an explosion are absolutely zero, which is more than we can say about an aftermarket LPG conversion. With both tanks filled to the bring, the Leon TGI will travel for up to 1,360 kilometers (845 miles), which is insane.
The major downsides are that you give up 15 hp compared to the regular 1.4 TSI and the fuel isn't as readily available.
As for the Mii Ecofuel, that comes with a 1-liter three-cylinder engine producing 75 hp. It costs €12,100 to buy and only produces 79 grams of CO2 per kilometer, so you save money on taxes as well. But, since there's no turbo, it will feel gutless, especially on hot days.
What you should know
The Leon TGI runs on compressed natural gas (CNG), but also has a 50-liter fuel tank, so range is brilliant. It costs more to buy than a conventional diesel model, but at 21,310 euros, it's pretty well equipped. Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi all offer the same bi-fuel engine, so it should be reliable.Fuel consumption is 3.5 kilograms of CNG per 100 kilometers. Considering one kilogram costs about 98 euro cents, the TGI will save you money very quickly.
SEAT assures us that the risks of an explosion are absolutely zero, which is more than we can say about an aftermarket LPG conversion. With both tanks filled to the bring, the Leon TGI will travel for up to 1,360 kilometers (845 miles), which is insane.
The major downsides are that you give up 15 hp compared to the regular 1.4 TSI and the fuel isn't as readily available.
As for the Mii Ecofuel, that comes with a 1-liter three-cylinder engine producing 75 hp. It costs €12,100 to buy and only produces 79 grams of CO2 per kilometer, so you save money on taxes as well. But, since there's no turbo, it will feel gutless, especially on hot days.
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