Seat unveils hottest Leon

FR gets nearly 200bhp for 7.3 seconds 0-60mph

By PH Staff / Wednesday, 17 May 2006 / Loading comments

2006 Seat Leon FR

Seat will reveal its hottest Leon at next week’s Madrid Motor Show (25 May), marking the world debut of the new FR model. The hatch comes with either a 197bhp petrol or a 168bhp diesel engine, and new bodywork designed to say 'sporty'.

Engines first: making its debut in a SEAT is a new turbocharged 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit, developing 207lb-ft of torque from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm for high levels of flexibility. The sprint from rest to 62 mph takes 7.3 seconds while top speed is 142mph.

On the styling front, the front air intake design gets a honeycomb grille and the rear a black mock-diffuser. Other touches include silver-painted door mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels, with 18-inch versions an option.

Inside, the steering wheel is leather covered, the gearstick is silver, and the instruments are black on white – and everything's got a an FR badge on it.

The outgoing Leon FR was hugely popular in the UK in particular, accounting for over 40 per cent of the old Leon's UK sales. Within the range, the 148bhp diesel version was the top-selling model, which makes the new diesel variant highly significant from Seat's point of view. With a chunky 258lb-ft of torque from its 16-valve, unit-injector engine, the Leon TDI FR returns low fuel consumption of 47.1 mpg (provisional figure) on the combined cycle but a top speed of 133 mph, and the 0 to 62 mph sprint taking 8.2 seconds. Seat's hoping for a good response to the new model.

The Leon FR will arrive in the UK in July, with customer ordering opening in late May. UK prices and full specification details will be revealed after the Madrid Motor Show.