Slicker shifts for FRs

The firm has also given its FR variants steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters which, combined with the DSG box, deliver quicker gearchanges.

DSG features two wet plate-type clutches, one engaging the odd-numbered ratios, the other dealing with the evens. This means that when, for example, the car is in second gear, third has already been engaged and is ready to be activated in a fraction of a second. The results are ultra quick changes, with no loss in performance or economy compared with the manual versions – in fact, the 0 to 62 mph times for both models are actually slightly faster with DSG.

The 142mph Leon with DSG costs from £17,895, while the Altea starts at £18,195 and hits a 136mph top speed.