The photos you have taken are really interesting (particularly those showing the mpg over the long run you've done). Thank you.
We've just accurately measured (tank fill to tank fill) the MPG on 352 miles of mixed driving of our brand new non-hybrid 1.5 FR 150 (manual). The indicated mileage ("since refuel") showed 47.8 and the actual calculated on fuel put into the car was 44.8 mpg. This is likely to improve further once the car is more run in. On that basis, I would find it really difficult to justify the additional £5K purchase cost of the hybrid since extended real-world would appear to offer little difference in mpg. There is also then the reduced boot capacity which would have been a challenge with the collection of our son from University last weekend.
I see your point of view and it is a hike in price, but the Plug in has some advantages for that cash I think... Just my opinion though...
- Town driving (start stop) is much easier and cheaper than a non electric as I assume that any town/city driving happens first when the car is cold
- Torque is much higher using battery with battery alongside pretty much 100nm
- Junction pull off is much easier when using battery power, some times near me I have to put my
Cupra in Sport to get out of a quick junction just so the engine is ready to go when I need it.
- Also handy for those who live in locations that require low Co2 in the car like London for example (Plug in is 28 and 1.5 eTSi is 133)
- As it only has a 40L tank in comparison to the 1.5 50L tank it still manages 350 miles when driving 70mph for a majority of the tank (much more if it was 50-60mph driving)
I guess the downfall is as you mention it has a much smaller boot, only 30 mile range on battery etc but it all falls down to personal preference and the needs of the car, like you I like to have boot space which is why I have an estate as the Plug in's boot is way to small for me but would fit a reasonable sized food
shop in it.
So 50 mpg for a 204 HP car I think is more than decent.
@Phil: all good in the logic except, it is 204 HP vs 150 and multi link suspension in the back, as for the boot, I took estate and
problem solved. And I don't know exactly how is in the UK but in my country we get a 5000 EUR discount from the state... so for me is the same price 1.5eTSI DSG (150CP) vs 1.4 E-Hybrid DSG (204) & multilink suspension - so what would you choose
?
Anyway I have a question, noise insulation is different than other Seat Leon ? since it does not have a soundproof under the bonnet (a picture for confirmation would be interesting as well).
Also how do you feel the acceleration ?
Shame we don't get that discount but as mentioned above it's 70 miles on electric power to get any discount.
So in cabin noise on the 1.4 is minimal at best I think, i'll be doing in the cabin sound tests later today so I can give you proper results down to a db. But the Plug in is very quite I think as most of the time I don't notice the engine turn on. There is no sound proofing on the bonnet though (i'll get some pics later)
I've got the car till Thursday so any other questions let me know, i'll be doing a sound test today and get as many pics as possible before it goes back (after a clean)