Latest news with #SEAT
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Sarus crane population in Maharashtra rises to 34 in 2025; Gondia leads with 30 birds
Chandrapur: The population of the majestic Sarus crane — the tallest flying bird in the world — has risen to 34 in Maharashtra, as per the 2025 Sarus bird census. This marks a slight increase from last year's count of 28. The encouraging rise is largely attributed to the continued conservation efforts in Gondia district, which alone recorded 30 Sarus cranes, followed by Bhandara district with 4. The census was carried out, across 53 identified habitats in Gondia district and 18 habitats in Bhandara by the forest department in collaboration with the nature-based NGO 'SEWA' (Sustaining Environment and Wildlife Assemblage) and SEAT (Save Ecosystem and Tiger) respectively. A day earlier Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh — which shares ecological features with Gondia and is located immediately across the state boarder — recorded a healthy count of 48 Sarus cranes, reinforcing the significance of trans-boundary conservation efforts between Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The counting teams comprised of forest officers, NGO volunteers, local farmers, and Sarus Mitras (Sarus friends), who formed 35 groups in Gondia from 4.45am to 9am, focusing on roosting and foraging sites. Nearly 150 participants took part in the census in Gondia this year. Efforts were made to avoid double counting, especially in overlapping zones near rivers and wetlands that straddle both states. Special attention was given to data validation, ensuring accurate, science-based tracking of bird movements, breeding sites, and habitat preferences. Over the years, Gondia has emerged as a vital Sarus habitat in Maharashtra. Between 2012 and 2025, continuous monitoring and local community involvement have played a key role in sustaining their population. The SEWA team and forest department officials regularly visit breeding grounds, farmlands, and wetlands throughout the year to record data on nesting and migration patterns. However, challenges persist. While six nests were recorded in 2024 in Gondia, only two were successful, primarily due to human disturbances and habitat degradation. Experts have raised concerns about the declining quality of wetland habitats and called for urgent restoration and protective measures. In Bhandara, the census was conducted with the help of around 25–30 local teams, marking the first sighting of two distinct Sarus pairs, a positive sign for the district. Similarly, Balaghat's sustained conservation initiatives since 2012, involving farmers and local volunteers, have helped stabilise and grow its Sarus population over the years. Sawan Bahekar, President of SEWA that actively participated in the census, emphasised that the habitat of the Sarus crane is not only shrinking but also deteriorating in terms of its ecological integrity. This degradation directly hampers the species' breeding success and is likely to have serious consequences on biodiversity and the broader ecological system in the near future. "In 2024, six nests of the Sarus crane were recorded, but due to human interference or environmental changes, eggs in four of them failed to survive," he said. DCF, Gondia, Pramod Panchbhai underlined the an urgent need to protect the existing habitats of the Sarus crane, undertake habitat restoration, and identify and develop new conservation zones. "Mere observation is not enough — what is required is effective action, strategic planning, and active participation of local communities in a well-coordinated manner," he emphasised. He also stressed the need for coordinated efforts between districts and across state borders to conserve shared habitats, particularly in areas adjoining the Wainganga and Bagh rivers, which see free movement of Sarus pairs across both sides. The forest department and SEWA have expressed gratitude to all volunteers, field workers, local farmers, students, and Sarus Mitras for their tireless efforts. Sarus Crane Status (2025 Census ) District — Number Gondia (Mh) 30 Bhandara (Mh) 04 Balaghat (MP) 48 Maharashtra: 34 Count in Gondia Year — Birds 2020 — 45 2021 — 39 2022 — 34 2023 — 31 2024 — 28 2025 — 30 Count in Bhandara Year — Birds 2020 — 02 2021 — 02 2022 — 03 2023 — 04 2024 — 04 2025 — 04
Auto Express
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Help! I need a £13k family MPV that's spacious and versatile
Dear Auto Express, I've got £13,000 to spend and I'm looking for a spacious people carrier. What do you recommend? - Rayyan Malik, E-mail Second-hand MPVs are often more practical, easier to find and cheaper to buy than their SUV counterparts, even if they are a bit less fashionable. If you're not too fussed by style, though, the good news is that modern people carriers are well-equipped and often surprisingly pleasant to drive. Advertisement - Article continues below The SEAT Alhambra is a versatile option, with a spacious cabin, sliding doors and strong build quality. You can also specify a snappy DSG gearbox for effortless town driving. But for refined road manners, the Mk3 Ford Galaxy could be the choice. It was launched four years before the SEAT, but it's a roomy, relaxing option with a compliant ride. It's impressively slick for an MPV, and most of the engines are strong performers. The SsangYong Turismo replaced the unloved Rodius people mover when it arrived in 2013. It's far better than its predecessor, and has a cavernous interior. But which of this trio makes the best used purchase? Here's our expert pick of the three best family MPVs available for a budget of £13,000, together with links to buy them through our Find a Car service… For: Roomy cabin, sliding doors, decent to drive Roomy cabin, sliding doors, decent to drive Against: Boring looks, firm ride, boot could be bigger Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below With a clean-cut design, the SEAT Alhambra is by no means ugly but it is dull, and the sliding-door runners on the rear-quarter panels don't help. But the steering is accurate enough to thread the car along narrow lanes, and the optional DSG gearbox improves both economy and performance. The ride is unsettled over rough roads, though. With lots of power to carry seven people and their luggage, the 175bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine is our preferred unit, but this falls a little outside of our budget here. Instead, you can bag a 2016 138bhp variant with 75,000 miles for just under £13,000. Advertisement - Article continues below The Alhambra's no-nonsense design is carried through to its interior. The layout is logical and build quality is solid, with some models getting a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Like its rivals here, the SEAT majors on versatility. There's a huge amount of legroom for rear-seat passengers, and while the third row is better suited to children, you can carry seven adults for short trips. The second-row seats can independently slide forwards or backwards and recline, and the sliding rear doors make access easy. With the rearmost seats folded, there's a sizable 1,167- litre boot, but this reduces to 267 litres with them up. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Used SEAT Alhambra deals For: Refined, practical, enjoyable to drive Refined, practical, enjoyable to drive Against: Dated looks, feels cheaper than the SEAT Given that the Mk3 Ford Galaxy arrived back in 2006, the styling is showing its age a little, but the defined wheelarches and chrome door trim break up the design. Where it wears its age very well, however, is from behind the wheel. The Ford Galaxy is one of the best MPVs to drive, due to its positive steering and composed stance in the corners. And thanks to its compliant ride and well isolated cabin, the Ford is a great motorway companion. We'd recommend a Galaxy with a 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, and you can get a 2014 Mk3 Ford Galaxy with 37,500-miles on the clock for well under £10,000. Advertisement - Article continues below Despite its age, the Ford Galaxy's cabin is arguably more stylish than the SEAT's, with silver trim spanning the dashboard and a trio of circular air vents. It isn't quite as sturdy as the Alhambra inside, however, even though both cars are a step beyond the SsangYong in this regard. There are plenty of storage cubbies scattered around the cabin, and the Galaxy can accommodate seven adults in relative comfort, with sliding and reclining rear seats. The boot is bigger than the SEAT's, at 308 litres, which increases to 1,301 litres with the rear seats folded – impressive, but not as vast as the SsangYong's load bay. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Used Ford Galaxy deals For: Spacious interior, torquey engine, comfortable ride Spacious interior, torquey engine, comfortable ride Against: Patchy interior quality, wallowy handling, thirsty The SsangYong Turismo was a step in the right direction for SsangYong, but the ungainly Rodius wasn't a hard act to follow. Its replacement looks more cohesive, but there's no real depth to the shape. On the move, the SsangYong is cumbersome in corners and falls far short of the Ford in particular, with vague steering and lots of roll. The soft suspension provides a supple ride at speed, but the Turismo crashes into potholes in town and shimmies over sudden imperfections. The 176bhp 2.2-litre diesel motor has enough power to shift the Turismo without straining. A 2016 model with 65,000 miles on the clock is well within the £13k budget. When it comes to practicality, the SsangYong claws points back, with a cavernous interior that can easily carry seven adults in comfort. There are two seats in the middle row, with a full-sized bench to seat three in the rear, meaning those sitting at the back won't be as cramped as they would in many other MPVs. Not only this, but the Turismo also offers a huge 875-litre boot, even with all three rows of seats up, making it far more accommodating for luggage than its rivals in this test. With the seats lifted out, meanwhile, there's a van-like 3,146-litre load space. The cabin isn't built to the same standards as the SEAT or Ford, though, with frail trims and flimsy plastics littered around. The design isn't particularly attractive, either. Used SsangYong Turismo deals Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express ? We'll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too . Find a car with the experts Used Car Hunter: premium executive cars for £15,000 Our car hunter has £15,000 for a posh saloon that will be economical on long trips Used Car Hunter: cheap convertible city cars for £9,000 Our Car hunter has £9,000 to buy a city car that offers cabrio fun in the sun Used Car Hunter: punchy and practical hot hatchbacks for £23,000 Our Car hunter has £23,000 to find a hot hatch that's practical, quick and well-equipped Used Car Hunter: pretty and premium two-door coupes for £25,000 Our Car Hunter has £25,000 to buy a good-looking and upmarket used coupe for £25,000, but which is the best buy? New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
Irish Examiner
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Cupra Tavascan review: sleek electric SUV impresses with sporty drive and standout design
Cupra will be a 'name' in due course, but right now not enough people know about it Brand recognition is a vital component of any manufacturer's raison d'etre and the motoring sphere is no different from any other endeavour where selling to Joe and Jane Public is essential to success. But if Jane and Joe have no idea about your product line-up, then you're in a spot of bother. For Cupra, the SEAT sub-brand for which the parent Volkswagen Group has lofty ideas, that's a big issue right now. Factor in the intention of its VW masters to launch Cupra as a standalone marque to the US within the next decade, then brand recognition becomes altogether more important for those charged with making it a success. As we have pointed out on numerous occasions when writing about this excellent new brand, this lack of public awareness about the marque and its products is both bewildering and dumb. If you're not out there pushing the metal, then the metal is not going to sell itself. And the thing is that Cupra does have a lot to say about itself – excellent model line-up, competitive pricing and individual product which is as good as if not better than that of the parent company. Indeed – and it has been obvious for some time – that subsidiary companies such as Skoda, SEAT and now Cupra are if not necessarily leaving equivalent VW products looking dull and uninspired by comparison with what they are making, then they are certainly making better cars. But, the reason why Cupra – with its 'four-legged spider' logo and copper-coloured body inserts and alloy wheels – has come into existence is, in reality, because the powers that be in Wolfsburg realised that it was probably going to be impossible to change the brand perception that accompanies the SEAT brand. Sadly, the Spanish marque, has always been associated with the lower end of the market and no end of brand manipulation was going to change that perception. So, what to do? Well, the easy answer was simply to reinvent it. Cupra is that reinvention. Oddly, though, what has emerged is something that will potentially challenge the VW badge itself and it will be interesting in the years to come to see how Wolfsburg copes with that challenge. But enough waffle. The Tavascan is named, like all SEAT and Cupra models, after towns or locations across Spain (in this case a small village in the heart of the Pyrenees, near the border with France). It is solely an EV, like its sibling the Born, and it is Cupra's stab at that most awful of automotive segments, a Coupe SUV. In fairness, looking at it, it does not immediately come across as one of those terrible, but more like a simply sleek SUV. It is a good-looking thing and your eye is caught more by its body curves than the heavily sloped roof, which isn't that heavily sloped really. Cupra Tavascan stylish interior There is an element of drama about the car's appearance and its looks purposeful and modern, despite the fact the designers have relied heavily on older design tropes (clam-shell-y bonnet, Avant Garde light clusters front and rear), fat wheel arches and swoopy creases and folds along the flanks). The interior too dares to be different and is, nominally, a feast for the eyes. There's a unique Y-shaped element which emerges from the centre console between the front seats and melds into the dash and creates a futuristic vibe. On the one hand, this design's adventurousness is daring and different; on the other, it is let down by the materials used to create it, but more of that later. Passenger space is very generous — especially for those in the rear where neither head or leg room are compromised by the supposed 'coupe' look or the panoramic roof — and the boot is huge too. The one caveat is that the materials used – despite plenty of eye-catching copper inserts – don't feel as premium as they might. They are too hard and scratchy for the premium feel that is being sought here. Otherwise, the seats are fantastically comfortable and the tech levels – including the huge 15' touchscreen – are very impressive, although we would have liked a non-integrated climate system and button controls for same. But stuff like the Sennheiser stereo system also adds heft to the package. Driving it, however, is where its winning character comes into play – it's a hoot. Now, that's not something we've often said about EVs; sure, some of them are light-switch fast, but most don't have the handling nous necessary to make that palatable. This one does. The engineers have done a thorough job on the front and rear suspensions – MacPherson struts at the front and multi-link rear setups – have been finely calibrated and it shows. This thing handles like the sporty entity Cupra wanted it to be and not like your regular sloppy mid-sized SUV. With the steering having been specially engineered to provide more driver feel and engagement and, allied with the suspension tuning, the Tavascan packs the necessary ride and handling punch to please even the most demanding driver. The all-new Cupra Tavascan Work has also been done to give heft to the braking system – something we found to be wanting on the recently reviewed Born. Here, they are reassuringly responsive and do their job well. Add that to 286 bhp whack coming from the 210-kW electric motor – powering the rear wheels – on our 'Endurance 6' specced model and you have something very engaging indeed – much moreso than either the excellent Skoda Enyaq or the disappointing Volkswagen ID.3. There are, of course, a choice of driving modes – and you even get a 'Cupra' button t-on the steering wheel which promises more grunt but doesn't really deliver much. As is so often with EVs these days, you're best off sticking it in 'comfort' mode and leaving it at that. But then you've got the Tavascan's range and re-charging prowess, both of which are impressive. The official range is 546km, but you can feel certain you'll get close to 500 km at least without being overly careful, while the 20-80% charging takes about half-an-hour. So far, so good. So, what are the downsides? Well, this car is actually made in China and therefore subject to EU tariffs introduced last year – even before 'Tariff' Trump swung into action. That makes it quite an expensive car for the mid-size SUV segment, but we can expect to see some inventive sales pitches here to soften that blow somewhat. The other downside is the quality of the interior materials; for a supposedly premium vehicle, they're just not up to the job and detract from what is an otherwise excellent package. Once more with a Cupra product, we have something here which is tantalisingly close to being a five-star product but falls just shy. That they're getting so close to excellence promises much for the brand and its future. This 'experiment' gets more interesting by the day – now all they need is for the general public to actually know and understand what they're up to. Read More Opel Grandland EV review: electric SUV offers good range and undercuts hybrids on price
Sunday World
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sunday World
Cupra charges ahead with a new all-electric SUV
Rule this Spanish sex machine out at your peril... Cupra's first all-electric SUV is here, and it has a lot to be proud of. There is a very good range on a full charge, it looks incredible, it has flashes of sheer Spanish sexiness, it is fun, it is young and if you don't aim too high with your trim level it gives a lot of bang for your buck. Named after a small Spanish village best-known for using its lakes to produce green energy, the Tavascan is the company's second EV after the Born and is one of many new exciting models that are about to land here in Ireland over the coming years. Cupra's biggest problem right now is that they are still relatively unknown (or at the very least misunderstood) and with this car are entering a very claustrophobic market with some big hitters holding court. Inside Cupra's Tavascan There area a few big names from the US, Korea and Europe including the Irish car of the Year for 2022 and 2025. But the Tavascan is not starting from absolute zero like some of the other new brands to arrive in Ireland in recent years. And anyone who has feasted their eyes on any one of the models in the Cupra range will know that the company doesn't do boring and mundane. Formerly the premium branch of SEAT, the designers were allowed to introduce flicks of design panache but now that they don't have to answer the mother ship, the Spanish car company has grown up fast and is now producing cars nearly as fast as they drive. But the speed of them is not their unique selling point. You just have to take a quick glance at them to know that designs are their forte. Even their stylish badge is impressive and now gets lit up beautifully from behind. The absolute cheapest version of this car comes in at €44,365 after SEAI grants but the car I got to call mine for seven fun days was the Endurance trim that you can have for €48,105. Cupra's Tavascan has good head-room front and rear but still feels smaller than it actually is It comes with a 77kWh battery and 286hp at your disposal, but best of all the numbers was the mind-blowing 546km you get from a full charge of battery. On the subject of numbers… you can charge this car from 0-100 per cent at an 11kW charge point in hours and if you get hooked up to one of the faster charge points around the country you won't even have time for a decent siesta as you'll go from 10-80 percent in just 28 minutes. It is fast on the road too, and can reach a maximum speed of 180km/h and can do 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds. Which is pretty punchy for an SUV of this size and weight. And you should know that there is another option you can buy that comes with 335bhp, two motors and in all-wheel drive mode. Okay, enough numbers. Simply put, this is a great looking car; inside and out. The interior is dominated by a carbon fibre Y-Shaped centre console that looks like it should be a in a McLaren F1 car as opposed to a family- focused SUV, but that's classic Cupra right there. My only gripe about that is that I think they wasted the button function on that as it is the car's hazard lights. Surely, a drive mode or on/off button would look better sitting there? There is a good head room in the front and the rear of this car but yet it feels smaller than it actually is. I guess when you want stylish lines and angles you have to sacrifice something, luckily though here it isn't a sacrifice that would become a deal breaker. The high window line here is cool looking but ultimately hinders the view ever so slightly for the kids in the back. The boot still comes with 540ltr, which is not a segment topper but is plenty of boot to get you through your weekly duties. Cupra's Tavascan No matter which version of the Tavascan you buy, you get a 15' infotainment touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration. Like a lot of cars these days, most of the functions are operated using the touchscreen, which is responsive but it takes a bit of getting used to. No matter which model or trim line you get you do get a lot of as-standard features and equipment and if you do opt for this you will have one of the best-looking electric family SUVs on the market.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Seat Leon e-HYBRID Style trim expands electrification reach
SEAT, a member of Volkswagen Group, has introduced the Style trim for the Leon e-HYBRID, enhancing electrification accessibility. This move is part of the brand's strategy to make plug-in hybrid technology more accessible. The SEAT Leon was the brand's inaugural plug-in hybrid model. Available in both five-door and Sportstourer versions, the Leon e-HYBRID in Style trim aims to broaden the customer base for electrified vehicles. The new generation e-HYBRID engine delivers 204PS (150kW)/350Nm, combining a 1.5-litre TSI 150PS (110kW) petrol engine, a 115PS (85kW) electric motor, and a 19.7kWh lithium-ion battery. This combination provides an electric-only range of up to 134km. Charging options include up to 50kW on DC fast-chargers or 11kW at home using an AC wallbox. Standard features of the SEAT Leon e-HYBRID's Style trim include ecoLED lights, 17in alloy rims, a 10.25in digital cockpit, and a 10.4in infotainment system with a retro-illuminated slider. SEAT's Martorell facilities in Barcelona are responsible for the design, development, and production of the SEAT Leon e-HYBRID. SEAT Brand Officer Arantxa Alonso said: "The SEAT Leon continues to be a fundamental element of the brand's strategy, especially with the introduction of this new generation of plug-in hybrid powertrain, which reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability. "The addition of the Style trim to the Leon e-HYBRID broadens its appeal and gives even more people access to an electrified future, mixing the efficiency and excitement SEAT is renowned for.' In March, Wayne Griffiths resigned as CEO of VW Group's SEAT and CUPRA brands. Markus Haupt, SEAT's executive vice-president of Production & Logistics, is now the interim head until a new CEO is named. "Seat Leon e-HYBRID Style trim expands electrification reach" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
