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SEAT Leon FR

Verdict on latest spicy diesel hatchback

SEAT Leon FR front cornering

By Paul Bond

August 2011

  • Rating:
Sport sells, especially for SEAT. So the company has widened its FR performance sub-brand to include two new models, and also spiced up the existing range.

One in four Leons sold wears the sporty FR badge, and that proportion should increase now the line-up has been split into FR and FR+. The FR gets the choice of 123bhp 1.4-litre TSI petrol or 138bhp 2.0 TDI diesel engines, while the FR+ has either a 208bhp 2.0 TSI or a 168bhp 2.0 TDI. We tried the 138bhp FR diesel – set to be one of the best sellers.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the SEAT Leon

 

Although the Leon is getting a little long in the tooth now, it’s still a striking alternative to the Ford Focus and VW Golf. The FR builds on these good looks, adding a deeper front grille, more aggressive bumpers, twin chrome exhausts and subtle FR badging. It sits on a set of 17-inch alloys, and contrasting silver door mirrors and neat LED tail-lights complete the effect. 

The cabin has been given a similarly sporty revamp, with the flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, grippier sports seats and large central rev-counter pushing the right performance buttons. 

All of the major controls feel extremely precise and well built thanks to their VW Group origins, and there’s plenty of space, too. The plastics used in the centre console could be better, though.

With 138bhp at your disposal, this FR is a warm hatch, rather than a full-blown hot hatch, but it’s still no slouch. It serves up 320Nm of torque, provides lots of punch for overtaking and feels faster than its 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds suggests.

Buyers choosing this model over a higher-powered Leon will feel the benefit at the pumps, with the FR returning close to 60mpg. The 125g/km emissions mean road tax is £20 a year less than for the 168bhp version, too. 

While the smooth and refined diesel engine pulls strongly in any gear, you have to work the crisp six-speed manual box to keep momentum high. The FR feels more at home cruising on the motorway than it does blasting down back roads. 

The muted exhaust note doesn’t help, and you soon find that under the sporty body, the new FR is a capable and stylish, but rather ordinary, hatchback.

For an alternative review of the latest SEAT Leon visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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6 Comments

ugly sub brand

I dont care how they dress it up....its ugly plain and simple

By A1Jaguar on 22 August, 2011, 5:51pm

what!

Is everybody blind round here?..... the Leon is one of the best looking cars in its class..... its far better than the wooden spoon Golf. If the Golf looked this good, the people who buy a car purely for its badge - would be making the right choice for once.

By wmtmarine on 23 August, 2011, 11:51am

Certainly better looking and more fun than any golf, focus, megane or peugeot thats for sure.

By brucem on 23 August, 2011, 1:04pm

I'm with you wmtmarine. We had a Leon Ref Sport in the family for several years and it was a fine car. Great handling, went like the clappers, very comfortable (although the ride was jiggly on bad surfaces), great handling and very comfortable with good seats and lots of leg room. During it's time with us, very reliable and cheap to run. It was also good looking and the interior was good to look at even if materials were off the standard by today's competition. We replaced it with an inferior car - BMW 1 Series. The current Leon model does not have long to live, so it will be interesting to see what Seat comes up with to replace it.

By GROUCH on 23 August, 2011, 3:24pm

Dull,dull,dull

This car has passed its sell by date.
It lacks style to the point of being ugly around the rear.
i just hope it doesn't suffer from the anoying silly faults my wifes Ibiza had.

By toycollector on 23 August, 2011, 5:38pm

We will see the MKIII Leon this Autumn but I think the Leon has aged well new one has sharper lines much less rounded. current FL one shares it's electrics and engines with the Golf but is still 3-4K cheaper and SEAT are stealing sales from VW especially with their Ecomotive range on value.

Interior was improved with the FL as well as the Jiggly ride on the FR still has tidy handling just think offering lower powered engines in effect replacing the "Sport" has watered the FR brand down a little. Still think the FR and Cupra look stunning in white.

By JezyG on 25 August, 2011, 12:20pm

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SEAT Leon FR front cornering
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FIRST OPINION

    The entry-level 138bhp FR diesel looks the part, and delivers a strong mix of real-world pace, miserly running costs and practicality. But it lacks the sparkle of the more powerful 168bhp model. While it’s keenly priced and well equipped compared to rivals, the quicker FR+ is only £1,195 more, marginally less efficient and adds proper hot hatch pace to the Leon’s pleasing overall dynamic package.
 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £20,245
    Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl diesel
    Power/torque: 138bhp/320Nm
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
    0-62/top spd: 9.5 secs/127mph
    Econ/CO2: 58.9mpg/125g/km
    Equipment: 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, ESP, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, multifunction leather sports steering wheel, electric windows, LED tail-lights, parking sensors
    On sale: Now
     
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