The Leon ST was first unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt motorshow, and it’s the first time an estate version has been offered in the Leon range.

The unveiling of this third member of the Leon family (the SC three-door coupé, the five-door hatchback and now the ST) also served as the introduction of the Leon Ecomotive – the lowest emitting Leon ever made, with a CO₂ rating of just 87 g/km, impressive for an estate and just to put it in perspective that’s lower that a Peugeot 108 1.0.

Power comes from a 110 PS version of the 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine already established in the Leon range, which in the non-Ecomotive car develops 105 PS.  Performance isn’t sacrificed in the name of efficiency, the official 0-62mph figure for the 110ps ecomotive ST is 10.4 seconds, while the 105 PS 1.6 TDI version does it in a slightly longer 11.1 seconds.

Fuel consumption for the 1.6 Ecomotive is officially rated at 85.6 mpg combined, meaning its theoretical tank range is a shade over 940 miles although so far real world driving indicates an average of around 65mph with my most economical single trip yet showing just over 70mpg on the inboard computer.

So what makes the Ecomotive not only more powerful but more efficient than the non ecomotive derivatives?

Changes over the standard Leon for the Ecomotive (which apply across all variants) include a specially adapted six-speed manual transmission, the fitment of low rolling resistance tyres and optimised aerodynamics, comprising lowered suspension, closed-off cooling apertures at the front, additional under-body panels, a roof spoiler, and rear screen side spoilers.

So the Ecomotive is quicker,  produces less co2 and is more fuel efficient that its non ecomotive equivalent. Taking into account NIC and running costs 0ver 4 years the cost to the employer of the two cars is equal with the 20% tax paying employee making a saving of £52 over 4 years by choosing the ecomotive model.