Will the Touran's gearing improve the fuel economy over the SEAT Altea?

My present company car is due for renewal later this and I am restricted to a diesel only selection. I currently drive a 2010 SEAT Altea XL with a 1.6TDI 105 5-gear Ecomotiv engine. My next vehicle is likely to be a Volkswagen Touran and I have been advised to choose the 1.6TDI 105 Bluemotion 6-gear model. Whilst this makes sense from a BIK perspective I have found the SEAT a little underpowered, and the economy when on cruise control at 70mph to be disappointing at between 42 and 44 mpg. The Volkswagen rep assured me these factors will be less of an issue because of the six gears in the Touran. My understanding is both vehicles use identical engines, so will the extra gearing really make much difference on the Touran? My mileage averages between 12,000 and 15,000 per annum.

Asked on 11 May 2013 by PT, Ipswich

Answered by Honest John
You're far from the first to criticise this 1.6TDI 105 engine. 42-45 isn't good, and the extra weight of the Touran over the Altea will affect this, despite a slightly higher ratio top gear. The best current 1.6 diesels are the 1.6DCI 130 in the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Scenic and Renault Megane and the 1.6iDTEC in the Honda Civic.
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