Some diesel engines on test at the Fleet News office this year have been described as ‘a little agricultural’. But our new long termer the Seat Leon Ecomotive SE doesn’t fall into that bracket.

In fact, one passenger commented: “Is this really a diesel?”

Admittedly the person asking wasn’t a motoring journalist or company car driver who has clocked up lots of miles in different cars but it still indicates how quiet the latest 1.6-litre TDH 105bhp diesel engine is.

The Leon also has CO2 emissions in its favour with our long termer in the attractive sub-100g/km bracket.

At this stage its 99g/km emissions only makes it exempt from VED but the tax benefits will increase come April 2012 as the Government lowers the BIK tax bands.

Seat has achieved the Leon’s green credentials thanks to a stop/start system, an energy recovery function and improvements to the aerodynamics, along with low rolling resistance tyres and revised gear ratios.

The official combined mpg figure is on a par with other 99g/km cars at 74.3. Unfortunately after two weeks of driving the Leon I’ve yet to reach anywhere near that mark.

The best figure to date is 52mpg after a 100 mile round trip.

It’s early days for the Leon though and with some more eco-friendly driving and a few more miles on the clock I expect it to improve.

Looks-wise the Leon has some attractive styling features such as cleverly positioned wipers – which Seat calls the ‘vertical park wiper system’ and first appeared on the Altea – and concealed rear door handles which give the Seat a coupe look and add to its sporty appearance.