Grants SEAT
Chit chat about us, our people and our cars
Hybrid v Ecomotive
01 day ago
by Grants SEAT
in Uncategorized
The efficiencies presented by SEAT Ecomotive technology offer an interesting alternative to a Hybrid in terms of BIK tax, operating costs and the environment.
We’ve created a new leaflet to help you explain to customers how Ecomotive technology in general, and SEAT Leon Ecomotive models in particular, match up to the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight Hybrids.
How do the vehicles compare on BIK tax costs? What is the cost per mile comparison? Where does Ecomotive stand with respect to London Congestion Charging and Vehicle Excise Duty?
Check out our Hybrid v Ecomotive leaflet to find out more or click here to view our Ecomotive range in more detail.
Grants in line for more glory
02 weeks ago
by Grants SEAT
in Uncategorized
We are delighted to tell you that we are on the trail of yet more glory after being shortlisted in four categories in this year’s prestigious Motor Trader Awards.
We have fought off fierce competition from across the UK to make the final cut of contenders in the Most Improved Dealership of the Year, Dealer Marketing and Best Digital Initiative categories, while our Managing Director, Darren Williams, has made the running for the coveted Dealer Principal of the Year title.
We will now face intense scrutiny from a judging panel made up of leading industry figures before finding out our fate at a glitzy award ceremony in London’s West End in July.
Earlier this year we beat some of the motor industry’s biggest retail groups to claim the ‘Best Digital Initiative’ honour at the high-profile Automotive Management awards.
And our marketing activities, co-ordinated by Communications Manager, Katie Williams, were recognised with another much sought-after gong in the Essex Business Excellence Awards 2011.
In addition to that our aftersales department also contributed to our rapidly rising reputation when it was recently named one of the five best vehicle service centres in the East of England and among the 50 best in the UK by industry regulator Motor Codes.
Grants SEAT Communications Manager, Katie Williams, said: ‘The Motor Trader Awards are among the most fiercely-contested and prestigious in the UK so just making the grade is no mean feat.
‘So to learn that we have been shortlisted in four categories is fantastic and we are absolutely thrilled.
‘Awards like these give our customers and potential customers confidence in us as a business and show us the areas in which we are performing well so we can remain at the top of our game.’
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful team and our customers for making this possible.
We’ll keep you posted here but for hot off the press updates why not follow us on Facebook.
Grants support the Amy Winehouse Foundation
02 weeks ago
by Grants SEAT
in Uncategorized
The tragic passing of Amy on 23rd July 2011, aged just 27, left not only her family and close friends heart broken, but had a huge impact on people all over the world. Amy and her music has touched the lives of millions across the globe.
Amy’s family launched the Amy Winehouse Foundation on September 14th 2011, on what would have been Amy’s 28th birthday.
The Amy Winehouse Foundation has been set up in Amy’s memory to support charitable activities in both the UK and abroad that provide help, support or care for young people, especially those who are in need by reason of ill health, disability, financial disadvantage or addiction.
It is the mission of the Foundation to assist as many of those affected as possible by supporting and funding identified and reputable charitable organisations that tirelessly carry out remarkable and professional work in these areas. This work will not only make a significant and positive difference for those it supports, but will also pay tribute to Amy’s remarkable life, talent and beautiful spirit.
On Thursday 24th May the foundation will be holding its first fundraising event at Stock Brook Golf & Country Club. The golf day will see celebrities and golf fans forming teams to compete on the Essex course before relaxing at a dinner with entertainment provided by star names.
Grants SEAT are going to be sponsoring the event by putting a sporty SEAT Leon worth £15,000 up as a hole in one prize just to make things even more exciting.
Grant’s Communications Manager, Katie Williams, said “We are delighted to be involved with the Amy Winehouse Foundation’s first fundraising event and really looking forward to supporting it. This is a very worthwhile cause and we would love to see other local businesses getting involved to ensure the day is a real success and raises the all important funds and awareness for the foundation.”
If there are any local businesses that would like to get involved there are still opportunities to sponsor a hole on the golf course or advertise in the event programme. These sponsorship opportunities are going fast so if you are interested you’ll need to be quick!
For information about this event please contact events@amywinehousefoundation.org or for more information on the Amy Winehouse Foundation check out their website.
Lower prices for New SEAT Ibiza
03 weeks ago
by Grants SEAT
in Uncategorized
Fresh from its triumphant debut at the recent Geneva Motor Show the latest iteration of SEAT’S most successful and well-known model, the Ibiza supermini, is now on our roads.
The great news for Ibiza buyers is that the new model is introduced without a price increase over the outgoing car. In fact SEAT is confirming that the majority of New Ibiza derivatives will be available at a lower price than their outgoing equivalents.
Thus the entry-level New Ibiza – the 1.2-litre 60 PS E in three-door SC bodystyle – remains available at just £9,995 RRP on the road.
As before, the UK range extends up from the E through S A/C and SE to the sporty FR model. For the first time, too, New Ibiza ST buyers will be able to enjoy the dynamic delights of an FR version as SEAT expands its Formula Racing sub-brand to its svelte supermini estate.
The core basic model in the new line up – the SEAT Ibiza S A/C – is offered at an average of £300 less than the outgoing S Copa editions. The most affordable Ibiza 5dr is therefore the 1.2 70 PS S A/C model, at just £11,430 RRP on the road. This engine is also now available in the Ibiza ST body style, giving it a significantly reduced starting price of only £12,140 RRP.
On the mid-level New Ibiza SE, there’s a similar £300 average price reduction versus the outgoing SE Copa. Here, all Ibiza body-styles have the same four derivatives on offer. The accessible 1.4 85 PS petrol model is joined by the sprightly 1.2 TSI 105 PS, with state-of-the-art seven-speed DSG for those who require an automatic. Two diesels are offered in this spec; the hyper-frugal 92 g/km 1.2 TDI 75 PS Ecomotive and the 1.6 TDI 105 PS. The latter is available in SE trim for the first time.
The great news for fans of SEAT’s sporty and stylish FR trim is that it now occupies an even more affordable place in the extensive Ibiza range, with engine availability widened to include turbocharged 105 PS units in both petrol and diesel. The established higher-end FR derivatives – 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS DSG-auto and 2.0-litre TDI 143 PS turbodiesel – are also available at much lower prices – up to a massive £1,100 less, in fact. For the very first time FR is also now available on the Ibiza ST, for those who crave a practical yet genuinely sporty small estate.
As on the outgoing model, the ‘walk’ from any Ibiza SC model to the equivalent 5dr model is just £500. To move from 5dr to ST is another £710 in every case.
Under the stewardship of new Head of Design Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos the New Ibiza takes on many of the sharp, dynamic details which will be a hallmark of SEAT design in the coming years.
Thus the New Ibiza boasts reshaped headlights that now include sculptural elements inside the clusters similar to the new Alhambra MPV and the recently-revised Exeo family of executive class saloons and estates. Specifying optional bi-xenon headlights also adds LED daytime running lights for an even bolder appearance.
Elsewhere the front grille is smaller and sharper, front fog lights take on a rectangular shape and the front end on all models now features the sporty, ‘downward-facing’ trapezoidal lower grille formerly limited to FR and Cupra models. Finally, at the front, the revised bonnet features a strong central crease line – a key design cue taken from the IBE and IBL concept cars.
At the back the New Ibiza’s tail lights have been redesigned. Curved and semi-circular elements have been replaced with sharper lines while FR models gain LED tail lights for an even more distinctive light signature. The rear bumpers have been changed, too, with sharper lines tracing the rear ‘diffuser’ section.
Students of SEAT design might also spot that New Ibiza 5dr and ST models now feature gloss black ‘B’ and ‘C’ pillars, while eye-catching new colours have been added to the palette, including Lima Green. New alloy wheel designs complete the exterior changes.
Inside, new typography on the instrument dials and a refreshed climate control display makes things clearer and more stylish on the New Ibiza. There are redesigned steering wheels across the range, including a flat-bottomed design on FR. Finally even the glovebox has been enlarged, with significantly more storage and the addition of an interior light.
Managing Director of SEAT UK, Peter Wyhinny, said: ‘We’re really excited about the arrival of the New Ibiza in the UK.
‘This stylish new supermini ticks all the boxes for buyers by being not just significantly more modern to look at, more stylish, more practical and, with the debut of the Ibiza ST FR, significantly more fun. But, crucially, our best-seller is now also even more affordable, too!
‘SEAT celebrated record sales in the UK in 2011 and, with the arrival of the New Ibiza, I’m confident we can look forward to continuing that success through 2012 and beyond.’
Here at Grants SEAT we have already sold some of these new models and our customers are waiting with baited breath for their new cars to arrive!
Now we are baised and love the new model but check out what some of the motoring press are saying:
To see this great new car in action check out our latest video.
Money Saving Tips from Grants SEAT
04 weeks ago
by Grants SEAT
in Uncategorized
The less fuel our cars use the less CO2 they emit and the less money we spend on fuel. Luckily it is easy to reduce CO2 emissions by adopting simple driving techniques and you’ll quickly see your reward in terms of lower fuel bills!
1. Plan routes in advance.
Try to avoid known traffic hotspots at times of the day when you’re likely to sit in a queue. Check that your satnav is taking you the shortest way – the quickest route is often a lot longer.
2. Watch your speed.
Travelling at between 50 and 60mph means your emissions will be lowest, whilst motoring over 70mph can increase them by as much as 25%.
3. Make efficient use of your car’s engine.
Why not combine several short journeys into one? Always drive off as soon as you switch the engine on, switch it off in traffic queues and as soon as you reach your destination.
4. Drive smoothly.
Over-revving, energetic braking and harsh acceleration will all drink up fuel. Always use the correct gears to avoid straining the engine.
5. Remove any extra weight.
Removing unnecessary clutter can improve fuel consumption by up to 2%. Take off an unused roof rack, for example, and you could save a further 2%.
6. Turn off air conditioning.
Your air conditioning system can reduce fuel efficiency by a massive 8%.
7. Check the condition of your tyres.
Get into the habit of looking at your tyres every time you approach the car. Just a glance is likely to identify a flat tyre and, if you don’t drive on the tyre, it is more likely to be repairable. Also, you are more likely to spot kerb damage, bulges or under-inflation before they become a danger. If you do detect any damage, drive the car slowly to a repairer straight away. Once a month, at least, you should check that your tyres are correctly inflated because you can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 3%. Over or under inflated, they could fail when you need them most, can wear out quickly and will then need replacing sooner than they would otherwise. Not only are tyres VERY expensive, far too many end up in landfill which is a bad thing for the environment.
8. Check and top up your oil level regularly.
Too much oil is bad and too little means serious damage ahead; parts will start to fail, your car will let you down more often and bills will start to escalate… If you top up your oil yourself, always check the car’s handbook/manual and use the right grade for your car; many need specialist oils for good reason. Make sure the car is parked on level ground and with the handbrake firmly applied. Wait for five minutes after the engine has been run to allow the oil to drop back into the sump; otherwise, there would be a danger of overfilling. Top up a little at a time and allow a few minutes before checking the level on the dipstick for the same reason. When replacing the dipstick, give it a firm push to make sure it is correctly located in the tube. Keep receipts as evidence of doing the job properly. Your oil and the oil filter (which traps any damaging debris) should be changed regularly; see your car’s handbook, typically once a year as a minimum but twice a year is recommended.
9. Get your maintenance checked by the professionals on a regular basis.
To be sure that your car is safe, kind to the planet, reliable and cheaper to run we recommend you ask a garage professional to check that you (or whoever might do this for you) has done the job well enough and not missed any safety issues. Here at Grants SEAT we do a FREE Healthcheck for every vehicle that visits our workshop – it’s a great way to give our customers piece of mind.
10. Do your homework about the best garages in your area.
Always look for evidence of quality not just a friendly receptionist or a convenient location. Motor Codes is a great place to check out whether your local garage is committed to fair and transparent service. For female drivers Foxy Choice approve garages that have demonstrated that they are female friendly and won’t take advantage of female customers.
Tweet-Talking Grants take the sale
01 month ago
by Grants SEAT
in Uncategorized
Jemma Rowberry collecting her new SEAT Leon from Sales Advisor Andrew Watson
We are proud to say that we have just harnessed the power of social media to beat dozens of our counterparts to a valuable new car sale.
Car buyer Jemma Rowberry bypassed more than a dozen dealers closer to her home in Crawley, West Sussex, to buy her new Leon SE Copa from us after we made contact with her through Twitter and built a close online relationship.
The entire sales process was completed online through a series of ‘tweets’ with Jemma only making the two-hour drive to our modern showroom in Braintree twice – once to sign the paperwork on a PCP deal and once to collect her shiny new car.
Now the delighted 29-year-old IT Test Analyst, who loves her ‘dream’ car, is full of praise for our 21st century approach to car sales and customer service and is keen to recommend Twitter and Facebook to others in the market for a new runaround.
Jemma beamed: ‘If Grants hadn’t contacted me online and put in so much effort to finding me the right deal, I wouldn’t be driving around in my brilliant new car today.
‘The dealership may be nearly 100 miles away but they made the whole thing so effortless for me from beginning to end and they’ll definitely be the first people I contact when I’m in the market for another car.’
Jemma first fell in love with the Leon SE Copa during a test drive at her local dealer last November but was unable to find a suitable finance package and ‘tweeted’ how gutted she was. Grants SEAT Managing Director, Darren Williams, who had set up a keyword search for ‘SEAT’ on Twitter, then noticed the Jemma’s message and replied offering his assistance.
The pair then struck up a rapport online through the dealership’s lively Twitter page – @grantsseat – as Darren and the team found Jemma the perfect PCP deal and made getting behind the wheel of SEAT’s stunning family hatchback and affordable reality.
Our Managing Director, Darren Williams, said: ‘We were delighted to be able to help Jemma get behind the wheel of her dream car and have really enjoyed getting to know her online.
‘This just goes to prove the power of social media to all the skeptics in the motor industry. By putting in a bit of effort and striking up a real friendship online rather than simply going for the hard sell we’ve sold a car and gained ourselves a valuable customer who will use us again and recommend us to her friends and family.’
‘It would have been the easiest thing in the world for Jemma to have visited other dealers closer to her home to buy her new car but by combining high-tech online communication with good old fashioned customer service we were able to convince her we were the right people to do business with.’
Why not follow us and join in the fun – just click the Twitter link on the right hand side of this page 
SEAT unveils Toledo concept
32 months ago
by Grants SEAT
in Uncategorized
The next phase of SEAT’s product offensive is set to draw the crowd at the Geneva motor show – the Toledo Concept, a close-to-production study. Combining the proportions of a classic saloon car with a sporty, almost coupé-like design, the next-generation Toledo is an exceptional combination of emotion, outstanding design quality and rational usability.
The Toledo Concept reveals a further development of the now characteristic SEAT design – with a powerful and solid stance, clear and precisely-executed surfaces and lines, and with the new headlamp form that is a signature feature of SEAT’s new design DNA.
Beneath the striking saloon-like silhouette of the Toledo Concept, you’ll find the spaciousness and usability of a five-door hatchback within compact dimensions.
The exceptionally attractive new Toledo will be exceptionally good value for money too. The Geneva study delivers a very distinct view of the future – the series-production version on which it is based will begin to reach dealers in Spain later in 2012.
Measuring 4.48 metres in length, the new Toledo will offer a generously proportioned interior for five people, a luggage compartment of more than 500 litres and the convenience of a large rear hatch and folding rear bench. Thus, the future Toledo manages to reconcile perfectly the apparently incompatible – combining an almost coupé-like profile with the comparable functionality of an estate car.
Compact enough for city driving and well equipped for long journeys and family transport. The wheelbase of 2.60 metres delivers plenty of room for driver and up to four passengers.
The luggage compartment is exceptionally well-proportioned, with impressive volume and excellent usability. Although perhaps not apparent at first glance, the new Toledo possesses a large rear hatch for optimum loading. Finally, the folding rear seats facilitate a long load length and give the Toledo a functionality that is almost on par with that of an estate car. With the rear seat backs folded forward it boasts a maximum load capacity of more than some ‘regular’ estate cars.
The Design – a strong sporting character
Powerful dynamics and a mature composure characterise the front end of the Toledo Concept.
The SEAT grille with its honeycomb mesh retains its typical trapezoidal form, but with a very wide and low look. The same applies to the large air inlet beneath the bumper. The pentagonal form of the similarly broad front headlamps is one of the key characteristics of the new SEAT model generation.
Equally characteristic is the sophisticated design of the light units, with the chromed ‘wing’ between the main headlamp and daytime running light. The broad rear lights also underscore the mature styling of the new SEAT saloon, while the entire rear end conveys the impression of quality and solidity with its few, simply drawn lines.
The side profile of the Toledo has a taut and dynamic look. A clean edge runs from the headlamps across the shoulders to the rear lights and the area around the sills has a simple, sculptural feel. The most important element, however, is the roofline. It carves an elegant arc all the way to the powerful breadth of the C-pillar, which emerges seamlessly from the rear side panel. The very flat angle of the rear window underscores the coupé look. But, nevertheless, the designers and engineers paid close attention to achieving a high degree of functionality. The large door cut-outs in the rear, too, ease entry and exit.
Paint Protection – is it worth having?
22 months ago
by Grants SEAT
in Uncategorized
Some of you may have been offered the chance to have paint protection when buying a new car. Did you go for it or did you feel it was a gimmick and that you were more than happy to wash your new pride and joy yourself?
Here at Grants we are great believers in paint protection and recommend it to our customers. We aren’t just looking to make money - it really works and helps to protect your investement!
After some careful research we chose to use LifeShine by Autoglym which offers an advanced system of protective treatments to keep your car in top condition for the lifetime of your ownership.
You can feel safe in the knowledge that we won’t let anything tarnish your new purchase. Whether it’s those harsh motorway contaminants, acid rain showers, unwanted mucky fingers or a coffee spill on the seats, LifeShine ensures maximum protection for your vehicle from day one.
Special care is taken by our trained technicians to prepare your car to the highest standards to maintain appearance and give miles of pleasure and help retain re-sale value.
From bumper to bumper, inside and out, the finest LifeShine treatments are used to prepare your new car for delivery to you in pristine and protected condition.
1. Paintwork Protection – All exterior paintwork is treated with a unique protective coating. This protective coating will enhance the paintwork shine and ensure maximum resistance to environmental hazards, even the severest of winter weather. The glossy water-repellent coating is easier to keep clean and maintains a superbly deep glossy shine.
2. Upholstery Protection – Fabric, leather upholstery and carpets are treated with a durable waterproof coating to seal out moisture and resist staining. Accidental spillages simply bead on the surface, whilst dust and sticky marks are easily removed.
3. Glass Protection – All external side and rear windows are treated with a long-term, optically clear, non-stick, easy to clean coating. As you drive the raindrops roll off to give greatly improved wet weather visibility and safety.
Introducing Bodywork Gloss Shield
We have just started using LifeShine’s new product Bodywork Gloss Shield which is even more effective than the previous product. Check out what this product can do:
Detergent Resistance – New Bodywork Gloss Shield continues to quickly shed water after over 100 washes whilst the competitor products start to fade after just 30 washes.
On Road Testing – New Bodywork Gloss Shield continues to quickly shed water after over 4000 miles whilst the competitor products start to fade after less than 100 miles.
Depth of Colour – New Bodywork Gloss Shield enhances the depth of colour of the paintwork by nearly twice as much as the nearest competitor.
Application Process – New Bodywork Gloss Shield offers an improved application process with the following benefits:
- Quick application
- Quick drying
- Easy buffing process
- No dusting
So in summary this is why we chose to use Autoglym’s LifeShine:
- Increased durability
- Bright ultra-reflective gloss finish
- Increased water beading
- High detergent resistance
- Easier on-going maintenance
- More hydrophobic surface makes bird droppings easier to remove
- Simple and effective application process
- The most durable protective coating in the market
- The most technologically advanced coating in the market
Check out this video to see how it works.
Multi-award winning SEAT Alhambra gets another gong
32 months ago
by Grants SEAT
in Uncategorized
SEAT’S all-conquering Alhambra MPV – the Spanish brand’s impressive seven-seat people carrier – continues its relentless awards success with news today that it has retained its crown as ‘Best MPV’ in the important CarBuyer.co.uk awards.
The latest win sees the luxurious large SEAT – launched here at the end of 2010 to universal acclaim – retain its place firmly at the top of the MPV class.
The new trophy joins an extensive collection of important award wins for the Alhambra as expert motoring journalists, and satisfied SEAT owners across Europe, continue to vote it top of its class.
The seven-seat SEAT has picked up multiple trophies in Portugal, Germany and here in the UK where, earlier this year, What Car? again named the car its MPV of the year, too.
Explaining the most recent win CarBuyer.co.uk said: ‘When it comes to people carriers, size really does matter. These cars need to cope with a wide variety of tasks, from school runs to family holidays, and that’s why the vast SEAT Alhambra takes the CarBuyer crown for the second year in a row.
‘With enough space for fully-grown adults in each of its seven seats, very few rivals can match the Alhambra for space. Excellent build quality, generous standard equipment (even entry-level cars feature three-zone climate control and parking sensors) and attractive pricing all put it at the head of the MPV pack.’
Available in S, SE or top spec’ SE Lux trim and priced from just £23,525 RRP, the award-winning Alhambra is offered with a choice of modern turbocharged petrol or diesel powerplants. With the exception of the 115 PS 2.0-litre TDI CR all engines can be paired with either a crisp six-speed manual or smooth six-speed DSG auto which offers the extra flexibility of sequential manual operation via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts.
As befits a class leader, all versions of the Alhambra boast a high level of standard equipment. Among the highlights available across the range are sliding rear doors (optionally available with electric operation); fuel-saving Stop/Start and Brake Energy Recovery systems; integrated Bluetooth hands-free phone connection; three-zone climate control and front and rear parking sensors.
Move up to SE and you can look forward to such luxuries as auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror; 17-inch alloys; High Beam Assist and cruise control among a raft of added equipment.
SE Lux buyers, meanwhile, enjoy a fittingly luxurious Alhambra experience. Black leather upholstery; power operated rear side doors and tailgate; panoramic glass sunroof; rear view camera and satellite navigation are among the extensive list of standard-fit equipment.
SEAT UK Alhambra Product Manager, James Buckell, is naturally delighted to celebrate yet another victory for the brand’s largest vehicle and said: ‘The continued awards success of our new Alhambra is a great vote of confidence in the car.
‘To have so many respected journalists and industry experts lining up to give the Alhambra an award – for the second year in succession in the case of both CarBuyer.co.uk and What Car? – is the clearest possible indication to potential buyers that they will be getting the very best car in its class.’
To see the full CarBuyer.co.uk verdict on the Alhambra click here.
For more details on the range visit our website.