Wednesday 17th May 2006

Seat unveils hottest Leon

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

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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.

[dinkel]

Oew, that diesel would be nice . . . the new Leon is a winner.

[r988]

FR? should really be FF shouldn't it.

[Podie]

Was Mungo not available for a press release..?

[snorky]

I own a current diesel FR and just can't live with the new MPV looking Leon..sorry will be moving to another brand rather than buy that..

[TimsterC]

This is the reply I got when I asked about whether they were going to do a sporty version of the 2006 Leon.

--- snip ---

Dear Mr C***,
I write in response to your email dated 24/3/06.
I can advise that there are plans to release a New Seat Leon FR and a New Seat Leon Cupra R but no details have yet been confirmed. The provisional release dates are for the end of 2006 to the beginning of 2007.
I hope this information is helpful to you and if I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me at our Seat Customer Service Centre, on free phone [phone].
Kind Regards

A A
SEAT UK Customer Service.

[Steve_T]

I'm with you there John, that thing is ugleeee.




and much slower than mungo's one

[andy.shent]

I sold my 130TDi in January as Ford were doing a cracking deal on a new C Max Diesel. What i did'nt like with the Leon was the self closing doors? you opened the things up and if they did'nt drop in one of the 3 holding positions they would shut on you as you got in! nice sharp pointy bit at the rear of the top of the door connecting to soft bit near earhole! Also a bit cramped. Must say I think the new one looks cracking tho, Why Ford are'nt putting the 150BHP engine from the mondeo in the Focus I do'nt know?? When I asked at the Ford main dealers they said there was no call for it, well I would be one of there first cusomers if they did a diesel sport!

[davevag]

Looks superb, hopefully they will be doing a 3-door version

[swiss]

I liked the look of the old Leon but the new doesn't really do it for me, too family orientated and as a single man I don't mind praticality but not the current MPV look for me .... MY company car lease ends in January and its currently a toss up between the Focus ST3, Golf GTi with kit and the new Audi TT ....

[crossle]

I was thinking about an Octavia RS, having driven one recently.

I might hang on for the Leon now...

Still, can't help thinking that a 1 yr old VW GTi would be better value?

[Philbes]

davevag said:

Looks superb, hopefully they will be doing a 3-door version

Why? What's the advantage of a 3-door? Stiffer body? Large front doors and difficult access to rear seat.

Doubt if, in these days of cost reduction, Seat will be making the different panels for a 3-door variant. There wasn't a 3-door version of the last model was there?

[J111]

TimsterC said:

Dear Mr C***

Referring to you as Mr C seems a bit much

[dinkel]

Philbes said:

Why? What's the advantage of a 3-door? Stiffer body? Large front doors and difficult access to rear seat. Doubt if, in these days of cost reduction, Seat will be making the different panels for a 3-door variant. There wasn't a 3-door version of the last model was there?

3door version looks better IMO, see Civic and Stilo. 5d version is the family car . . .

[Philbes]

It's a personal opinion whether 3-doors looks better than 5-doors. In most cases I prefer the 5-door versions of hatchbacks - I don't like the look of the long front doors of a 3-door. I think the Leon with its hidden rear door handles is a good compromise.

Civic (last model) not a good example as 5-door & 3-door have different body shells. 5-door has longer wheel-base. 3-door is noticeably lower. Or does that prove your case?

>> Edited by Philbes on Wednesday 17th May 15:05

[davevag]

dinkel said:

Philbes said: Why? What's the advantage of a 3-door? Stiffer body? Large front doors and difficult access to rear seat. Doubt if, in these days of cost reduction, Seat will be making the different panels for a 3-door variant. There wasn't a 3-door version of the last model was there? 3door version looks better IMO, see Civic and Stilo. 5d version is the family car . . .

Agree, 3-door version's usually look a lot nicer, I hardly ever use the back seats anyway so a 5-door is a waste of time for me. Saying that, the A3 looks great in 5-door but I would still buy a 3-door over it. I guess it's down to personal preference.

[bobcorb]

I think the current Leons look terrible. A big step back from the last model, but, I saw a new car with Seat UK plates near Blakelands two weeks ago and again in Towcester last week. It was pearl silver with 18" alloys. The big difference was the bumpers, the rear in particular had vertical slashes at the sides which echoed the rear arches. It actually looked very purposeful, it only had TDi badges on the sides.

>> Edited by bobcorb on Wednesday 17th May 15:39

[bobcorb]

I think I saw this car http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/20042006/45/ but I cant be sure, it looks much better in the flesh.

>> Edited by bobcorb on Wednesday 17th May 15:38

[dinkel]

davevag said:

Looks superb, hopefully they will be doing a 3-door version

There isn't one at the mo . . .

[jamie@permagard]

I agree. I think the pic at the top of this thread does it no favours. It looks tonnes better in the metal. Theres one in our local dealer with the optional bodykit and Touring car livery, and it doesnt look like a family car at all.

[davevag]

dinkel said:

davevag said: Looks superb, hopefully they will be doing a 3-door version There isn't one at the mo . . .

Hope they do one this time round