I HAVE a new motto for Volkswagen Group, the parent company of brands including Skoda, SEAT, Volkswagen and Audi: 'You know where you are with a Volkswagen Group car.'

In the automotive equivalent of Ronseal's 'It does exactly what it says on the tin' approach, the German motoring giant has engineered a common set of standards into all its products.

For example you can expect high levels of build quality, refinement, good switchgear and reliability.

But that doesn't mean all their products are the same. Anyone who has driven them can testify that a Skoda Octavia is different to a Volkswagen Golf, for example or indeed, a SEAT Leon.

So whereas the Golf GTI 1.8T, at £18,160, would be the motoring equivalent of soft rock, our long-term SEAT Leon Cupra is more thrash metal.

In fact, thrash metal is a perfect description for the Leon. You can't help pushing the willing engine to its limits, even for a relatively sedate driver like me. Even amateurs can change gear fast enough to keep their hard progress going.

At 7,000 miles the engine has loosened up nicely, offering a frantic race through the first three gears, but settling back quietly when the final three cogs come into play. But although it has its own character, some flaws are carried over from other cars, such as the idea of putting a cupholder at the top of the centre console. Any spills and the whole lot goes down your nice expensive stereo.

However, even though the Leon's price has increased by £500, it is still a performance bargain. You get a lot of car for your money, which is a motto any car company should be proud of. Company car tax bill 2003/04 (22% taxpayer) £68 per month